Sweden went from being a padel hotspot to a cautionary story in a matter of years. The number of courts increased dramatically from a few hundred to over 4,000 between 2019 and 2022. In just 12 months, the number of courts in Uppsala alone increased from 14 to almost 100. With courts all over and no waiting, it was a player’s paradise. However, the growth exceeded the demand, and by 2024, more than 100 facilities had been closed or converted.
The collapse was caused by three primary factors: financial overreach, oversupply, and skyrocketing energy costs. In southern Sweden, the average price of electricity was almost five times higher than it was before 2020, making it unsustainable to light and heat large indoor spaces. A lot of operators had taken out loans to grow. PDL United needed a €24 million rescue, as “We Are Padel” went through restructuring. Some locations were transformed into bargain stores or warehouses.
Creating a sense of community to survive
Not every club vanished. Some flourished after adapting. The Lab Group’s “We Are Padel” shut down about fifty sites but kept thirteen. These remaining clubs started concentrating on creating communities rather than just bookings. In order to create environments where participants felt engaged rather than merely scheduled, they established coaching programs, junior sessions, leagues, and social activities.
The contrast was obvious: netting and glass failed in empty barns. Clubs that provided a feeling of community survived.
The UK’s continuous ascent and its planning difficulties
The UK has about 900 courts spread across 300 locations by the middle of 2025. In 2024, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) estimates that about 400,000 individuals played padel. Demand was still high, and off-peak charges averaged £7 per person per hour.
However, planning concerns have hampered growth, particularly in the areas of lighting and noise. At Lee Valley Tennis Centre in London, plans to convert six indoor tennis courts were paused due to local resistance. Courts located within 50 meters of residential zones are now advised by the LTA to conduct noise surveys. There are few suitable conversion locations and indoor projects are costly. Early community involvement and cautious pacing are essential to the future of padel in the UK.
International growth with a range of hazards
Spain has more courts than any other country in the world. Italy and France have added thousands in recent years, driven by strong tennis cultures. In the Middle East, Dubai and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in premium clubs and showcase events. South Africa’s Virgin Active is scaling from 65 to 100 courts, while the U.S. has around 200 courts with growing investor interest.
The Netherlands has integrated padel into its tennis ecosystem, with over 2,400 courts by 2023. Clubs like Conian have repurposed indoor tennis courts due to stronger returns per square meter.
Indonesia, meanwhile, represents a frontier market. Over 350 courts have opened in just two years, but unclear licensing and regulation make expansion risky. Jakarta alone now hosts more than 130 courts.
What sustainable growth looks like
Plonic and PwC forecast 70,000 padel courts globally by the end of 2026. But sustainability depends on learning from Sweden’s experience. Operators and investors should:
Validate local demand before building
Expand gradually
Diversify revenue through coaching, leagues, and social events
Engage communities early to manage noise and lighting concerns
Focus on building clubs, not just facilities
Markets with strong tennis traditions, warm climates, and strategic investment—like Italy, France, the UK, and the Gulf States—appear best positioned for long-term success. Smaller towns and colder regions with rapid overbuilding face greater risk.
Sweden’s story isn’t the end of padel. It’s the warning. The sport’s future will be shaped not by hype, but by planning, economics, and community.