With over 3,200 new clubs opened worldwide in 2024—an average of one every two and a half hours, according to a research by Playtomic—padel is clearly not slowing down. More than 7,000 additional courts were built in tandem with this upsurge, solidifying its ranking as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
The sport is still most popular in Europe, but it is expanding quickly in North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Padel is becoming a formidable opponent to pickleball in the US, with Florida, Texas, and California spearheading the expansion.
There has also been a sharp increase in involvement in the UK. In 2024, more than 400,000 people played padel at least once, up from only 15,000 in 2019. With more than 75% of venues in the UK participating in local engagement programs, community outreach is flourishing.
Aspirations for Olympic inclusion have been prompted by Padel’s growing popularity, with the 2032 Brisbane Games as the target. Furthermore, a new international tournament based on the Ryder Cup is scheduled to make its debut in London this year, indicating the sport’s growing popularity among the general public.
Pablo Carro, a co-founder of Playtomic, claims that padel has attained the pinnacle of international sport. The sport’s blend of competitive excitement and social engagement is making it almost impossible to resist, as evidenced by the 92% of new players who come back for more.
Padel is becoming into a worldwide force, inspiring athletes, creating new communities, and reaching a wider audience one court at a time as infrastructure and global interest increase.
