What is padel?
Discover Padel – one of the fastest growing racket sports
Padel is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It’s mostly played in doubles on an enclosed 20 × 10 metre court surrounded by glass walls and metal mesh, and the walls are part of the game.
Source: Global Padel Report 2026, Playtomic and Strategy& (PwC)
Why padel is growing so fast
Beginners can enjoy long rallies within minutes. Easy to pick up, active and social, padel works for casual players, families and competitive players alike.
Padel in numbers
The report’s player estimate is deliberately conservative and includes more than 850,000 federation members. The International Padel Federation (FIP) uses a different method and puts the figure at over 35 million active players.
According to the report, the share of indoor courts is the key structural driver of a club’s performance. Covered courts keep demand steady, smooth out seasonal dips and make year-round programmes and stronger pricing possible.
For more figures and analysis, read our summary of the Global Padel Report 2026.
How is padel played?
Padel uses tennis scoring. You serve underarm, diagonally into your opponents’ service box. The ball must bounce on the ground before it hits a wall. After that, players can use the glass and mesh walls, which keeps the ball in play longer, makes rallies more dynamic and adds real strategic depth.
The padel court: size and structure
A padel court measures 20 × 10 metres (200 m²) and is split in the middle by a net. The back walls are glass, and the sides combine glass and metal mesh. There’s also a narrower 20 × 6 metre single court for one-on-one play.
Around three padel courts fit into the footprint of one tennis court. To see how many courts fit on your site or in your building, try our Padel Floor Planner.
Equipment: padel rackets and balls
Padel rackets have no strings. They have a solid, perforated face that combines control and power. The balls look like tennis balls but have slightly lower pressure, which slows the game down and makes for longer rallies.
Where does padel come from and where is it played?
Padel started in Mexico and quickly took off in Spain and Latin America. Today it’s growing across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Oceania. Europe alone now has more than 15,000 clubs and over 50,000 courts.
Tennis clubs, academies, sports centres, resorts, golf clubs, hotels and residential developments are increasingly adding padel courts.
Padel – sport for all ages:
Discover the joy of Padel, a thrilling sport suitable for all ages. Join the fun and experience the excitement today!
PADEL AT PRO-LEVEL
This video reflects the magnitude of the event organized by World Padel Tour. Just click on play to enjoy!
Padel in the UK and Ireland
The Global Padel Report 2026 groups the UK, Ireland and Germany as “Hotspot” markets. In these markets, players are highly willing to pay and play, and demand is growing faster than supply.
The UK is a demand-led market, and the numbers show it:
- About 85% average occupancy at major UK padel clubs at peak times
- Around half of UK players struggle to book a court at peak times
- Chain operators are expanding fast, rolling out large indoor venues to meet that demand
According to the LTA, which has governed padel in Britain since 2019, around 1.5 million adults and juniors now play, up from just 15,000 in 2019. There are currently 2,445 courts at 682 venues across the country. Two-thirds of padel players also play tennis, which makes padel a natural fit for tennis clubs, leisure centres, hotels and private sites. The LTA is also working with the UK Government on funding for publicly owned courts.
Ireland is also growing quickly. The report highlights it as one of the main contributors to new courts in Europe outside the largest markets.
If you’re planning courts in the UK or Ireland, check planning permission and noise early, especially for outdoor courts near homes. Indoor courts avoid the weather and allow year-round play, which is a real advantage in the British and Irish climate.
Padel for all ages
Padel suits kids, families, older players and wheelchair players. Find out how clubs can reach every group in our article Make padel accessible for everyone.
Padel at pro level
Since 2024, Premier Padel has been the main international pro tour. The video shows how padel is played at the highest level.
Padel courts for your venue
With demand outstripping supply and more and more venues going indoors, padel is an attractive addition for tennis clubs, hotels, golf resorts and residential developments. Modern padel courts can be installed indoors or outdoors, depending on your space and climate.
Tell us about your project, and we’ll put together a quote for the right courts.