Padel isn’t just booming, it’s exploding. Once a Spanish side-hustle to tennis, padel has become a global racket sport with millions of players, thousands of new courts, and an ever-expanding presence in countries like the UK. As we step into 2026, the growth statistics are impossible to ignore.
What makes padel so attractive? It’s fast-paced but approachable. It rewards reflexes, positioning, and teamwork more than brute strength. And it’s designed to be social, often played in doubles, on enclosed courts with walls that keep the action going. Add to that a low barrier to entry, and you’ve got a sport that’s not just catching on – it’s taking over.
Padel Statistics: The Quick Version
Here are the key facts and figures about padel tennis:
- There are now more than 35 million padel players around the world.
- Spain is the undisputed capital of padel, with over 6 million players and more than 17,300 padel courts.
- Padel in the UK is booming with over 400,000 players and more than 1,000 padel courts across the country.
- In the US, over 500,000 people play the sport but the lack of facilities (only 770 courts) cannot meet the demand.
- According to Google Trends data, Padel is most popular in Spain (as expected), with Sweden the second most interested country.
Global Padel Participation: 35+ Million Players and Climbing
In just a few short years, global padel participation has rocketed past 35 million players according to the International Padel Federation (FIP). That’s up from an estimated 25–30 million in 2023, and double what it was in 2017. Driven by its accessibility and fun-first, doubles-friendly format, padel now has an active player base in over 150 countries – with particularly strong scenes in Spain, Italy, France, Argentina, and Sweden.
- 40% of players are female, making it one of the most inclusive racket sports.
- 14,300+ new courts were built in 2025 alone.
- 550+ international tournaments were staged in 2025 under the merged Premier Padel/World Padel Tour structure.
What’s remarkable is that this growth is not just happening in traditional racket sport strongholds. Countries like the United States, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Japan have seen significant spikes in player numbers and court construction. From local leisure clubs to city rooftops and shopping malls, padel is becoming a lifestyle as much as a sport.
Court Boom: Where Are All the Courts Coming From?
Behind every padel boom is a wave of concrete and glass. Globally, there are now 77,300+ padel courts – more than triple the number a decade ago. These are spread across 24,600+ clubs, with Europe hosting the lion’s share (approx. 65% of total). Spain alone has over 17,300 courts and over 6 million players, making it the sport’s undisputed capital.
