I’ve spent the past year on courts across the East Coast, playing padel, meeting the people behind it, and watching the sport try to find its footing. There’s a lot to be excited about. But there’s also a growing gap between what’s happening on the ground and the story people keep telling — especially when that story tries to frame padel as the next pickleball. It’s a compelling headline. It’s also misleading.

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At an extraordinary general meeting last week, the global body's member federations voted unanimously to update the Championship Regulations and the Rules of Squash.

One of the most notable changes to the Championship Regulations is reducing the maximum number of participants per country at the World Junior Championships from six to four players per gender. This measure aims to improve the quality of the draws while supporting athlete well-being.

Squash has been officially confirmed as one of 36 sports that will part of the Sports Program of the XX Pan American Games Lima 2027.

The Pan American Games is a major multi-sport Games for nations on the American continents. Squash has been ever-present at the Games since Mar del Plata 1995, with the United States the most successful squash nation by total Gold medal count, boasting a total of 14 since 1995.

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When pickleball exploded in recent years as America’s favorite sport, the pastime came with collateral damage — plastic neon-colored balls piling up in landfills.

More than 500 million pickleballs are manufactured each year, seemingly with nowhere to go, said Jeff Pepper, from Verona. “The number is huge,” “After a while, they break or crack and, normally, people just toss them.” The balls shouldn’t be thrown in the trash, or be part of household recycling.

Having led US Squash through its most significant growth in its 120 year history, US Squash President and CEO Kevin Klipstein informed the Board that he will step down from his role at the conclusion of 2025. The announcement comes with the organization thriving at every level and poised to maximize the sport’s Olympic debut in 2028.

US Squash will begin a national search immediately to fill the role, and Klipstein will stay on to support the search and transition.

Padel is rapidly increasing in popularity across the country. And it is now also being enjoyed by the members of Club Kingswood.

Two new courts, costing £250,000 in total, have been installed at the Clayhill Lane based venue and the club’s general manager Alex Owen is pleased to see them both booked out on a regular basis.

“We’re a 3, 200 member club and we wanted to have a racket sport which appeals to the majority rather than just a few,” said Owen.

The $20 million public-private development is set to open in early 2026. It will feature 25 courts, wellness amenities, coworking space and dining by Farmer’s Table.

Boca Raton broke ground on Boca Paddle, a sleek, climate-controlled club that blends luxury, sport and community into one expansive 100,000-square-foot playground.  The city issued a request for proposals to form a public-private partnership that could meet that need.

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In South Korea, sports don’t just grow—they catch fire when backed by a passionate fanbase, or what locals call a “ppa.” Years ago, there was “ppatteru”—a Koreanized play on professional wrestling—and then came “ppadun,” short for “bba-da deonji-gi,” or bat throwing, a uniquely Korean term that refers to the dramatic bat flips that lit up Korean baseball. Now, a new name is making noise on the courts: padel.

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The International Padel Federation (FIP) and Premier Padel were delighted to meet  IOC President Thomas Bach at the BNL Italy Major Premier Padel tournament today at the iconic Foro Italico.

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President Bach was welcomed by Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation. The visit reflected the growing momentum behind padel and the IOC’s spirit of Olympic solidarity in engaging with innovative, fast-growing sports.