The rising global trend of padel
Padel, a hybrid sport blending tennis and squash, emerged as one of the fastest-growing racket sports worldwide. The “Global Padel Report 2023,” jointly published by Playtomic and Monitor Deloitte, shed light on this phenomenon, revealing a sport on the brink of a massive global breakthrough. With projections to become a €6 billion industry by 2026, padel appeared poised to transform recreational and professional sports across continents.
The significance of the Global Padel Report 2023
Playtomic, a leading racket sports app, and Monitor Deloitte, a global consultancy, collaborated to create a comprehensive analysis of padel’s market dynamics. Their report served as a vital resource for understanding player behavior, infrastructure growth, and the sport’s economic potential. By 2026, the report predicted the number of padel courts worldwide would more than double the current number, reaching up to 85,000, reflecting the sport’s escalating global demand.
The findings underscored padel’s social and inclusive nature, attracting players from diverse demographics. Its accessibility—easier to pick up than tennis and highly engaging—cemented its reputation as a community-driven sport. These aspects were critical to its appeal, particularly among younger audiences and regions with a less established racket sports culture.
Market development and regional insights
Padel had already achieved considerable success in Europe, especially in Spain, Italy, and Sweden. Spain led the global market with over 15,300 courts, and the report highlighted Europe’s construction of 6,600 new courts in 2022 alone. However, the sport’s growth was no longer confined to traditional markets. Emerging regions, including the United States, the Middle East, and Asia, were now experiencing rapid growth.
In the United States, padel was still a relatively new sport but showed promising traction. Infrastructure expanded steadily, with 180 courts reported nationwide, though it still lagged behind other regions in density. Meanwhile, in the Middle East and Asia, wealthy investors and community-focused initiatives were fostering the sport’s development, with countries like the UAE and China taking center stage.
The economic implications of the padel global trend
The padel industry evolved into an expansive ecosystem encompassing court construction, club operations, and associated retail sectors. In 2022, an estimated €200 million was invested in building new courts globally. The growth of padel clubs, which saw a 24% increase in 2022, also reflected this burgeoning economic activity. Celebrity endorsements and high-profile investments further validated padel’s financial viability and potential for mainstream adoption.
The future prospects
While padel faced competition from other sports like pickleball, its global appeal and organizational efforts gave it a competitive edge. The establishment of international governing bodies such as the International Padel Federation, alongside professional tournaments like Premier Padel and A1 Padel, solidified its legitimacy. Efforts were even underway to include padel as an Olympic sport, with a potential debut in Brisbane 2032.
The “Global Padel Report 2023” painted a picture of a sport in the midst of exponential growth. Its unique combination of accessibility, social engagement, and competitive appeal positioned padel as a sport for the future. With strategic investments and the continued expansion of infrastructure, the global padel market seemed set to revolutionize recreational sports, unlocking opportunities for players, investors, and communities alike.
