Over the past years, padel has had an amazing rise in popularity. More than 25 million people participate in this sport, which began in Mexico in the 1960s and has since expanded to over 110 nations. The following explains why padel is spreading over the world:
People of all ages and skill levels can easily learn and enjoy padel because of its well-known accessibility. More individuals can play because it is less physically taxing than tennis due to the smaller court size and slower ball speed. Its quick global expansion can be attributed in part to its inclusion.
Padel’s infrastructure has grown considerably. There are currently over 40,000 padel courts worldwide, with 250 more constructed in the UK alone between 2022 and 2023, according to the Playtomic Global Padel Report 2024. By 2026, it is anticipated that there will be 70,000 courts.
There has also been significant expansion in the professional padel scene. Top players from all around the world attend the Premier Padel, CUPRA FIP Tour, and FIP Promises circuits, which are organized by the International Padel Federation (FIP). Many players have taken up padel because of the competitive aspect of the sport and the chance to compete internationally.
One of the main reasons padel is so popular is its social component. The sport is a fun and interesting pastime for families and friends since it promotes social contact and is frequently played in doubles. The sport’s attractiveness on a worldwide scale is further enhanced by the fact that many players travel to participate in various locations and nations.
With firms like Playtomic in the forefront, the padel sector has drawn a lot of investment. More than six million rackets were sold in 2023, marking a boom in the business. As a result of this expansion, 2,657 new padel clubs will operate globally in 2023, with more than 50 new clubs opening each week.
In addition to more established padel-playing countries like Spain and Italy, padel is also becoming more popular in rising areas including the US, UK, France, Germany, and South Africa. This growth demonstrates the sport’s versatility and universal appeal.
Here are some further data.
- 25 million+ active players in 110 countries
- Over 40,000 padel courts globally
- 2,657 new padel clubs opened in 2023
- Projected to reach 70,000 courts by 2026
- 6 million+ padel rackets sold in 2023
Padel’s combination of accessibility, social appeal, and rapid infrastructure development has made it one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. As more people discover the joys of padel, its global presence is only expected to grow further.
