Introduction to Padel
Thursday 26 June 2025 1:54 pm
Over 3,000 padel clubs were built in 2024, according to a report that suggests padel is surging in popularity.
Over 3,000 padel clubs were built in 2024, according to a report that suggests padel is further surging in popularity.
Around 3,200 clubs were constructed in 2024 along with over 7,000 courts added to the global padel surplus across the last 12 months, according to the Playtomic Global Padel Report 2025. That’s one club every 2.5 hours.
Padel’s Growing Popularity
Europe is among a number of high-growth markets for the sport, alongside North America, Asia and the Middle East.
It comes as the sport is pushing on in its bid to become an Olympic discipline, with a Ryder Cup of the sport set to launch in London imminently. Organisations have widely established the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games as a target for entry into the greatest games on earth.
The report claims that there is a 92 per cent return rate for first-timers, while there’s a rise in US interest with Florida, California and Texas driving growth in a nation thus far better known for pickleball.
Padel on the Rise
Padel on the rise
The Lawn Tennis Association states that over 400,000 people played the sport at least once in 2024, up from 15,000 in 2019.
“More than three-quarters of all padel venues are involved in some form of community outreach,” the LTA says.
Playtomic co-founder Pablo Carro said: “With a new club opening every two and a half hours worldwide, padel has finally joined the top table of the world’s sporting elite.
“The highly-anticipated 2025 Playtomic and PWC Global Padel Report highlights just how far padel is expanding and evolving. From emerging hotspots, to player behavior and club performance, these insights are shaping the future of the sport.
“From the rapid momentum the sport is gaining in the United States, to the remarkable social and cultural phenomenon that we’re witnessing in the UK, the Report released today proves that padel’s time within mainstream society has now arrived, and at Playtomic, we are proud to be leading that transformation.”
What’s Driving Padel’s Growth?
The growth of padel can be attributed to its accessibility and social nature. The sport is easy to learn, and the community is welcoming to new players. Additionally, the construction of new padel clubs and courts is making the sport more accessible to people all over the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, padel is a rapidly growing sport that is gaining popularity all over the world. With its accessibility, social nature, and growing infrastructure, it’s no wonder that padel is becoming a favorite among sports enthusiasts. As the sport continues to evolve and grow, it will be exciting to see where it goes from here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is padel?
Padel is a racquet sport that is played on a court with walls. It is similar to tennis, but with a few key differences. Padel is played with a paddle and a ball, and the court has walls that the ball can bounce off of.
Q: Where can I play padel?
There are padel clubs and courts all over the world. You can search online for padel clubs in your area to find a place to play.
Q: Is padel easy to learn?
Yes, padel is easy to learn. The sport is accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. You can start playing padel with a beginner’s lesson or by joining a local padel club.
Q: What is the objective of padel?
The objective of padel is to hit the ball in such a way that your opponent cannot return it. Points are scored when a player or team fails to return the ball to the other side of the court.
Q: Can I play padel professionally?
Yes, it is possible to play padel professionally. There are professional padel tournaments and leagues all over the world, and top players can earn prize money and sponsorship deals.
