The Adidas Match Light 2026 (some shops call it the Match Light 3.5) is adidas’s entry-level padel racket for players who are just starting out: a soft fiberglass face, a soft EVA core and an all-round shape with a central sweet spot. It is meant to be forgiving, comfortable and easy to play from the first session.
It is the 2026 version of the Match Light line that began with the Match Light 3.3 and continued with the 3.4, and on paper the specs are unchanged. This review covers the build, the specs, how it plays, and who should buy it. For the standard edition of the line, see our Adidas Match 3.4 review.
See also our best Adidas padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Adidas Match Light 2026 at a glance
Why it wins: A soft, forgiving all-round racket with a fiberglass face and a Soft Performance EVA core, made for beginners who want an affordable first racket from a trusted brand. (~$90)
- Allround (hybrid) shape with a central sweet spot
- Soft fiberglass face and Soft Performance EVA core
- 360 to 375 g per adidas, slightly head-heavy balance
- Smart Holes Lineal and Structural Reinforcement
Main features of the Adidas Match Light 2026
The Match Light is designed to be easy to learn on:
- Allround (hybrid) shape, which adidas pitches as balanced and easy to play, with the sweet spot in the middle of the face
- Soft fiberglass face for a gentle response and a forgiving feel on mishits
- Soft Performance EVA core, a low-density foam that keeps the feel comfortable
- Smart Holes Lineal drilling, with evenly spaced holes grouped in threes to reinforce the hitting surface
- Structural Reinforcement around the perimeter for resistance to twisting and better durability
- Beginner focus: adidas places it at its “Discovery” level
Specification of the Adidas Match Light 2026
Here are the full specs of the Adidas Match Light 2026:
- Shape: Allround (hybrid)
- Weight: 360 to 375 g per adidas (some retailers list 345 to 360 g)
- Balance: Slightly head-heavy per adidas
- Surface area: 520 cm2
- Beam thickness: 38 mm
- Core: Soft Performance EVA
- Face: Fiberglass
- Technologies: Smart Holes Lineal, Structural Reinforcement
- Player level: Beginner
- Type of play: All-round
- Pro player: None
Our review of the Adidas Match Light 2026
The Match Light is a forgiving starter racket. The soft core absorbs impact, the fiberglass face keeps the response gentle, and the central sweet spot makes clean contact easy to find. Testers of the Match line describe it as comfortable, forgiving on defense and easy to control.
Power and finishing ability are the limits. The soft materials return little energy, so you supply most of the pace, and testers of the current Match note limited finishing power on overheads and that players tend to outgrow it. That is a sensible trade for a first racket at this price.
Weight is the one number to treat carefully. adidas lists 360 to 375 g for the Light and the standard Match alike, while several retailers list the Light at 345 to 360 g, so the real difference may be small. Whichever is right, it is a normal adult weight.
Pros
- Soft, forgiving feel
- Comfortable on the arm
- Easy to control and learn on
- Affordable entry to the sport from a trusted brand
Cons
- Limited power and finishing ability
- Soft materials respond less crisply as you improve
- Weight figures vary between sources
- Players usually outgrow it within a season or two
Who is the Adidas Match Light 2026 for?
The Match Light suits beginners and casual players who want a comfortable, forgiving racket without spending much. It is a good first racket for someone starting weekly club or social games, and a reasonable spare for a player who likes a soft feel. Our beginner racket guide compares the other good starting points.
Who the Adidas Match Light 2026 is not for
Skip it if you already hit consistently and want to add pace, if you play an attacking game, or if you want a carbon-faced racket. Improving players will want more response, and our intermediate racket guide lists the natural next steps.
What to know before you buy the Adidas Match Light 2026
Name and model year
adidas sells this racket as the Match Light 2026, and some retailers write it as the Match Light 3.5, continuing the 3.3 (2024) and 3.4 (2025) numbering. They are the same racket. The standard Match has the same published specs, so check the name on the listing before you buy.
Weight and balance in practice
adidas lists 360 to 375 g and a slightly head-heavy balance, with a 38 mm profile and a 520 square centimeter hitting surface. Some retailers list lower weights for the Light and describe the balance differently, which shows how much these figures vary. The racket feels solid rather than featherweight, and the soft core keeps it gentle.
What changed from the Match Light 3.3 and 3.4
On adidas’s own listings the published specs are the same across all three: the allround shape, the fiberglass face, the Soft Performance EVA core, the 360 to 375 g weight and the technologies. The 2026 racket is a new season with new graphics, and adidas does not name any new technology for it.
How the Adidas Match Light 2026 plays
Defense and blocks: Easy and comfortable. The soft core absorbs pace and the central sweet spot makes returns from the back of the court simple.
Volleys and net play: Steady rather than sharp. There is little punch, but it is easy to get the ball back in play.
Smashes and bandejas: Expect control and placement rather than power. Our guides to the bandeja and the different shots of padel are a good way to build technique while the racket helps you keep the ball in.
Adidas Match Light 2026 vs the alternatives
The standard edition of the line is covered in our Match 3.4 review, and the Adidas Drive is a step up in adidas’s range. From other brands, the Babolat Contact and the starter sets in our guide are other easy entry points. Our best Adidas rackets guide compares the brand’s full range.
Is the Adidas Match Light 2026 worth it?
adidas lists the Match Light at 75 euros, and US listings are around $90 at the time of writing. At that price it is reasonable value for a first racket, since the soft build does the job for a beginner and the brand is widely supported. It is worth skipping if you are already an improving player, because you will want more response soon.
Conclusion
The Adidas Match Light 2026 is a soft, forgiving, comfortable starter racket. Its strengths are forgiveness, comfort and a low price. Its weaknesses are limited power and finishing ability, and the fact that most players outgrow it.
If you are new to padel and want an easy first racket, it is a sensible choice. If you want more as you improve, browse our best padel rackets roundup for the next step.
Frequently asked questions about the Adidas Match Light 2026
Is the Adidas Match Light 2026 good for beginners?
Yes. The soft fiberglass face, the soft EVA core and the central sweet spot are designed to be forgiving, which is what a new player needs. adidas itself places the racket at its entry level.
Is the adidas Match Light 2026 the same as the Match Light 3.5?
Yes. adidas calls it the Match Light 2026, and some retailers write it as the Match Light 3.5, following the 3.3 from 2024 and the 3.4 from 2025.
What is the difference between the Match Light 2026 and the Match Light 3.4?
On adidas’s own listings the specs are the same: allround shape, fiberglass face, Soft Performance EVA core, 360 to 375 g and the same technologies. The 2026 racket is the new season with new graphics.
How heavy is the Adidas Match Light 2026?
adidas lists 360 to 375 g. Several retailers list the Light at 345 to 360 g, so the figures vary by source. Either way it is a normal weight for an adult padel racket.
Is the Adidas Match Light 2026 a power or control racket?
Control and all-round play. The soft core and soft fiberglass face favor comfort and forgiveness over pace, and testers of the Match line note limited power for finishing points.
Does the Adidas Match Light 2026 have a carbon face?
No. The face is fiberglass, which gives a soft, forgiving response. Carbon faces are firmer and usually cost more.
What is the difference between the Match Light and the standard Match?
On adidas’s own listings the published specs are the same. The name, the color scheme and some retailers’ weight figures differ, so check the listing for the exact model you are buying.
Is the Adidas Match Light 2026 worth about $90?
Yes for a beginner who wants an easy, comfortable first racket. It is less attractive for an improving player, who will want a firmer, more responsive racket soon.
Lucas Sánchez is the founder of SimplePadel. Born and raised in Spain, Lucas has been living in the US and UK for the last 20 years and currently calls Miami his home. While he’s never played professionally, the dream is still alive.
Lucas loves nothing more than playing (and talking) about padel, and he considers himself lucky to have a wife and family that share his love for the game.