In less than a decade, padel has evolved from a niche sport to a global phenomenon that attracts players of all ages and experience levels. The International Padel Federation reports over 30 million active players across more than 130 countries by 2025, while the number of courts globally has passed 50,000. The growth rate is remarkable, with a 26 per cent increase in new clubs and 17 per cent more courts in 2024 alone.
As sports grow in popularity, attention from multiple sides naturally follows. The media covers major tournaments, sponsors invest in professional leagues, and commercial players such as. betting and other gaming platforms are starting to offer opportunities around the sport. The visibility of the sport has increased significantly through streaming matches and active social media coverage.
Accessibility as a growth engine
Padel's explosive popularity is primarily due to the sport's low barriers to entry. Unlike tennis, which requires years of dedicated practice, beginners can quickly pick up padel and experience exciting duels from the first court session. The court size is about 25 per cent smaller than a tennis court and the game is typically played in doubles, creating a social and inclusive environment.
Data from Playtomic shows that 92 per cent of players return after their first session, which is exceptionally high compared to other sports. Women make up 40 per cent of all padel players, one of the highest proportions among racket sports. The majority of players are over 26 years old, but the sport also attracts younger athletes and older exercisers due to the relatively low physical strain.
The importance of infrastructure
Global lane expansion has been crucial to the growth of padel. In 2024, 7,187 new courts were built worldwide and forecasts point to 81,000 courts by 2027. Sweden has seen some of the most dramatic growth with 5,740 courts by 2025, second only to Spain. Italy follows closely behind with 5,340 lanes. Both Sweden and Italy saw over 300 per cent increases in lane count from 2019 to 2022.
The UK has undergone a similar transformation, increasing from just 50 lanes in 2019 to 893 lanes across over 300 facilities by 2025. Demand still outstrips supply in many regions where waiting lists have become the norm. The US is at the beginning of its padel expansion with 688 courts across 180 facilities by 2025, a massive increase from under 20 courts in 2019.
Professionalisation and future perspectives
The professionalisation of padel is accelerating with significant investment in leagues and tournaments. The Pro Padel League in the US expanded from seven to ten teams between 2023 and 2024, while tournaments attracted over 15,000 physical spectators and generated 7.5 million streams throughout the season. The Premier Padel Tour has established events at prestigious venues such as Roland-Garros, which has significantly increased the sport's prestige.
Padel is now recognised by the International Olympic Committee and is being considered for inclusion at the Los Angeles 2028 or Brisbane 2032 Games. Olympic participation is likely to trigger further growth in youth programmes, sponsorships and media coverage globally. The padel equipment market was valued at $225 million in 2024 and is expected to reach nearly $600 million by 2034.
Digital innovation and community
Digital platforms like Playtomic have democratised access to padel by making court booking and player matching available via smartphones. Over 60 per cent of gyms now incorporate padel courts into their facilities, integrating the sport into wider fitness and lifestyle offerings. Technological innovations like smart rackets with built-in sensors are attracting semi-professional players who want to analyse their performance.
The social nature of paddle remains central to the sport's appeal. The smaller courts and doubles format encourage continuous interaction between players, which has created strong communities around clubs worldwide. Many players describe padel not just as exercise, but as a social experience that combines physical activity with networking and socialising.