Pickleball, a sport that combines tennis, padel, and badminton, is gaining followers in the Community of Madrid. Alcobendas is leading its expansion with four municipal courts and the hosting of the Comunidad de Madrid Open.
Pickleball, a discipline that fuses elements of tennis, padel, and badminton, is experiencing notable growth in the Community of Madrid. Alcobendas has positioned itself as one of the most active municipalities in promoting it, with new facilities and the organisation of high-level competitions.
The municipality already has four specific municipal courts for the practice of this sport, located between the José Caballero Municipal Sports Centre and the Valdelasfuentes Sports City. These are complemented by the facilities at the Jarama Sports City and the La Moraleja Tennis Club, situated between Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes.
Last year, Alcobendas hosted the Comunidad de Madrid Open of Pickleball, one of the most significant events on the regional calendar. The tournament brought together hundreds of athletes and helped to establish the municipality as a reference point for this discipline in the northern part of Madrid.
The rise of pickleball can be attributed to its accessibility. It is played on a smaller court than tennis, with a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball. This allows for longer rallies and reduces the physical demands compared to other racquet sports, making it suitable for people of all ages.
The growing demand has led sports clubs to incorporate this modality into their offerings. In the United States, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in recent years, and that trend is beginning to transfer to Spain.
With more facilities, official competitions, and an increasing number of players, pickleball has ceased to be a curiosity and has become a viable sporting alternative with a future in Alcobendas and throughout the Community of Madrid.
Residents of Alcobendas and nearby municipalities can access the municipal courts for free or through a sports subscription. The City Council plans to expand the offerings if demand continues to grow.
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