In the first half of 2025, Padel experienced a historic global expansion. In comparison to the same period in 2024, international tournaments almost doubled, according to data from the FIP Research & Data Analysis Department. The number of participants has increased dramatically, and more nations are now participating. This momentum demonstrates how padel is still becoming more and more popular worldwide.
A Network Fueling International Growth
Elite-level competition isn’t the only factor propelling the sport’s expansion. Padel’s popularity is being fueled by a strong and growing network of competitions, youth circuits, and national involvement. Although Premier Padel continues to be the most well-known platform in the sport, the International Padel Federation’s (FIP) efforts are the true catalyst for growth. Padel is expanding to new heights and audiences because to programs like the Cupra FIP Tour and the youth-focused FIP Promises circuit.
European Titles Usher in a New Era
The new European Championships, which attracted 59 national teams—male and female—to Madrid in July, marked a significant turning point. Although this event demonstrated the sport’s expanding popularity, the numbers provide the strongest proof. International tournaments increased by 86% from January to June 2025, from 71 in 2024 to 132 in 2025. Fifty-five of these were part of the Cupra FIP Tour, forty-five were part of the FIP Promises circuit, and just twelve were Premier Padel events. Notably, the young circuit has already outperformed the total number of tournaments in 2024, demonstrating how well it develops up-and-coming talent.
Geographic Reach Grows Quickly
The geographic reach of the sport has significantly expanded. By 2025, 38 countries had hosted at least one FIP event, up from 21 in early 2024. With 53% of all tournaments held there, Europe continues to be the epicenter. For instance, Italy hosted seven FIP and seven Promises events, compared to six FIP and three Promises in 2024. Other continents are also taking the lead: Oceania hosted 2.4% of events, Africa and Central/North America 6.1% apiece, South America 11.6%, and Asia 20.7%. This worldwide reach is a reflection of padel’s growing popularity abroad and its potential for expansion into unexplored areas.
Player Engagement Hits All-Time Highs
The growth of the sport has coincided with an increase in the number of players. 3,266 athletes (2,299 men and 967 women) from 91 countries competed in Premier Padel or Cupra FIP Tour events between January and June 2025. Compared to 2024, there are now 35% more players and 40% more participating countries. With 5.6% of athletes, Italy came in third place globally, ahead of Portugal (4.5%) and slightly behind Argentina (7.1%) and Spain (28.7%).
583 athletes from 29 countries participated in Premier Padel events, whereas 3,155 players from 91 countries competed on the Cupra FIP Tour alone. Both circuits had close to 500 players, demonstrating a high crossover and a cohesive competitive environment. With more nations joining, more competitions, and more chances for participants everywhere, this expansion is anticipated to continue.
Digital Engagement Reflects Growth in the Real World
Padel’s online presence has grown significantly as well. Padelfip.com saw 1.85 million unique users in the first half of 2025, up 19% from 2024, and over 30 million page views, up 33%. In just six months, social media followers increased by 23% to 680,000, with LinkedIn and Instagram seeing increases of 37% and 33.1%, respectively. These numbers demonstrate not only a growing sport but also a robust, resilient, and forward-thinking global ecosystem.
