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Pickleball in Portugal?

Printed From: Albufeira.com
Category: Living in Albufeira / Viver em Albufeira
Forum Name: Events & Local Activities / Eventos & Actividades Locais
Forum Description: Things to do & see in Albufeira & around / Coisas para ver e fazer em Albufeira e arredores...
URL: https://albufeira.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12008
Printed Date: 07/February/2026 at 11:17
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Topic: Pickleball in Portugal?

Posted By: Teresa
Subject: Pickleball in Portugal?
Date Posted: 13/November/2021 at 13:57

Hi all, wondering if anyone has heard of Pickleball and if it's played in Albufeira? Any pickleball courts, clubs or leauges?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFYyij4ykTI

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: Algarveaddick
Date Posted: 14/November/2021 at 06:41

I have heard of it, there was a Canadian guy going on about it on the Tripadvisor page a couple of years ago. It's mainly a north American thing, as far as I am aware there's no court. There are certainly no leagues.

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Go away Duchatalet

Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 14/November/2021 at 08:02

Yes, the same question has been raised here in years past and on Trip Advisor. It is a sport that is simply unheard of in Portugal.

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Albufeira Resident

www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve

Posted By: Teresa
Date Posted: 14/November/2021 at 22:37

That's a shame! Perfect weather, even year round, I'd bet. And lots of fields that could be made into courts. :( And, it's a sport that was primarily picked up by those 55 and older (now becoming much more popular with younger age groups). Quite a number of players in my club well into their 70s.

It is one of the fastest growing sports (in NA). Hmmm, project for my retirement! lol Export pickleball to Portugal!! :D

Posted By: Lofters
Date Posted: 14/November/2021 at 23:36

I'd beg to differ a little.

I have been making Algarve trips annually over several years and as far back as I can recall there has been one [or maybe two] courts at the big modern Municipal Sports Complex in Vila Real San Antonio, out east close to the Spanish border.

Have I seen anyone using them? .......... another question, ..... no.

Posted By: Teresa
Date Posted: 15/November/2021 at 02:53

Thanks Lofters! Just checked driving distance from Albufeira to Vila Real San Antonio... If I travel with a PB buddy, I'd make the drive! :)

You have no idea what a prize it is to find a free court here!! lol

Posted By: Algarveaddick
Date Posted: 15/November/2021 at 08:16

It doesn't mention Pickleball on their website - but here it is anyway. Good luck!

https://tenisvrsa.com/servicos/

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Go away Duchatalet

Posted By: Bunnyrunner
Date Posted: 15/November/2021 at 12:52

I've never heard of Pickleball but it seems very similar to Padel Tennis except for the shape of the racket. The pickleball racquet looks more oblong whereas the padel tennis racquets look like a shrunk tennis racquet.

The amazing thing is the similarity of the courts, even down to the colour of the courts, sky blue and navy. Three courts have been built this year at Albufeira Camping.

Teresa do the pickleball courts have any glass walls that can be used like you do in a Squash game? Is the game played with a Tennis ball?

I would say that if you brought your own racquets and balls then you could be able to play Pickleball on a Padel Tennis court.

Check out Albufeira Padel Club adjacent to Albufeira Camping. http://https://padel-tenis-albufeira-camping.negocio.site/ - http://https://padel-tenis-albufeira-camping.negocio.site/

Posted By: Teresa
Date Posted: 15/November/2021 at 15:31

Thanks Algarveaddick, that looks like quite the facility! Pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts but, here, courts are often shared - painted with differently coloured lines.

Bunnyrunner - Padel tennis looks more similar to squash. Pickleball is more similar to tennis but with a smaller court and some different rules. I don't play ping pong but I've been told rules are also similar to ping pong (but, not played on a table). The ball used is a hard plastic ball with holes, similar to ball hockey or wiffle balls.

Glad to know of these options. I think playing padel ball would likely be a fairly easy transition. And location is right in town! Before my next trip, I'll look into if a membership is required or just 'drop in'.

Thanks for all this info! Much appreciated :)