Five years ago, playing padel in Morocco was a quest. A handful of clubs in Casablanca and Rabat, almost nothing elsewhere. In 2026 the sport has exploded: over eighty clubs across the country, new courts opening every month in Marrakech, and a Moroccan padel federation recognised by the FIP that hosts international tournaments on Moroccan soil.
For travellers who play (or want to try), the country has become a real destination. Dry climate most of the year, fair prices, bilingual French-English staff in most clubs. Here's an honest snapshot, and the slightly unusual setup we offer in Essaouira.
Padel in Morocco, 2026
A few numbers to set the scene. Over 80 clubs across the country, against around twenty in 2020. Casablanca alone has thirty, then Rabat, then Marrakech (around fifteen, several of them inside resorts). Other cities — Tangier, Agadir, Tetouan, Fez — all have multiple courts. Essaouira has one recent public club, the rest is private.
Players remain mostly male and urban, but the most visible shift is the arrival of women (the ratio has moved from about 10% to nearly 30% in five years) and juniors. Many clubs now run padel academies for kids from age 8.
Court rental prices run 200 to 350 MAD per hour at peak times, 120 to 200 MAD off-peak (before 10 am, early afternoon). Private lessons with a pro: 300 to 500 MAD per hour. Group sessions: 150 to 250 MAD.
Where to play in the major cities
Casablanca
The epicentre. More options than we can list. Three references that work: Pad'L Bouskoura in the southwest (six indoor courts, very active academy), Casa Padel Club in Sidi Maârouf (five courts, competitive atmosphere), Le Sphinx Padel in Anfa (high end, premium prices but flawless facility).
Marrakech
Booming. Padel Up Marrakech near the Palmeraie is probably the current go-to — several outdoor courts under lights, open late. Toulali Padel in Hivernage is more central. Several high-end hotels (Royal Mansour, Selman) have their own courts, available to guests.
Rabat
Several solid clubs. Padel Avenue in Hay Riad is the best known, with a well-run junior academy. Padel Club Hassan downtown is quieter but well managed.
In all these cities, booking happens through apps like Playtomic (which covers many clubs), or directly via WhatsApp with the club. One or two days ahead on weekdays, more on weekends.
Padel in Essaouira
Essaouira has one publicly accessible club, Padel Essaouira, with several outdoor courts in the southern tourist zone. Booking by phone or in person. It's a good club, used by locals and by French tourists who play during their holidays.
The Essaouira specifics compared to the big cities: the weather. Wind can seriously complicate a match in mid-afternoon summer. Mornings and late afternoons work best. In winter and spring, the light is gorgeous and the wind often absent — probably the best time to play.
Beyond the public club, padel in Essaouira stays low-key. There's nothing like the density of clubs you find in Casablanca or Marrakech. That's also part of its appeal for players who want to combine sport with a calmer holiday.
Having your own court — what we offer
This is probably the rarest thing in Morocco: having a private padel court for the entire length of your stay, no booking, no sharing, no stranger on the next court. At Thuya House, that's what we offer. The court sits on the property, fifteen minutes south of Essaouira, behind the olive trees. Blue synthetic turf surface (the current world padel standard), full regulation dimensions of 10 × 20 metres, tempered glass walls, lighting that lets you play after sunset.
A few rackets and tubes of balls are provided, but serious players will want their own racket (ours is fine, not great). One session at 7 am, another at 7 pm, and the villa stays available between sessions for the pool, rest, or a trip into town. It's one of the very few places in Morocco where this format is possible.
For details on the court and conditions, see our dedicated padel page.
Levels, gear, weather: what to know before coming to play
Level
The average Moroccan level is rising fast. The best national players hold their own internationally, but the mid-pack is approachable. If you play in France or Spain at intermediate level (3.5 to 4.5 on the Playtomic scale), you'll find partners easily in Moroccan clubs. Beginners are welcome too — many clubs run open sessions to mix with other players.
Gear
Bring your racket if you have one. Rentals are available everywhere (50 to 100 MAD per session), quality varies. For balls: clubs usually provide them, sometimes on top of the rental, about 30 MAD for a tube of three if you buy. Shoes: padel or clay-court tennis shoes are fine. No gear specific to Morocco's climate needed.
Weather
For outdoor courts (most in Morocco), weather is rarely a major problem but it affects timing. Summer in Marrakech, Casablanca or Rabat, playing between 11 am and 5 pm is rough — stick to morning or late afternoon slots. In Essaouira, humidity stays low but wind can spoil afternoons. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons everywhere in the country.
Tournaments and events
The amateur tournament season runs from October to June. Major clubs (Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat) host their own category competitions, open to non-members with a registration fee. FIP World Padel Tour events have stopped in Morocco several times, notably in Marrakech, drawing top global players. The Moroccan federation publishes a calendar on its official site.
For a trip combining sport and holiday, the smart move is to aim for a period without a major tournament (clubs are less available) and to prefer the in-between seasons. April-May, September-October — ideal.
What we'd recommend for a padel trip to Morocco
If you're coming to play a lot, two serious options:
Marrakech for density and variety: easy to play twice a day in different clubs, take lessons with different pros, join open sessions. Combine with the medina and Palmeraie on rest days.
Essaouira + Thuya House for those who want a different format: their own court, their own rhythm, Sidi Kaouki beach 35 minutes away, the medina 18. Less variety, more calm. Particularly suited to groups (4 to 10 people) who want to play together as friends or family, without sharing a court with strangers.
Both formats are complementary. Several European players now do a combo: three intense days in Marrakech, four calmer days in Essaouira. It's a programme we see more and more often.