The incredible numbers behind the world's fastest growing sport: New study shows why everyone is talking about padel

Padel has taken the world by storm over the past few years and a new study has revealed the staggering numbers which demonstrate its rise in popularity.

The sport, typically played in doubles on a smaller court enclosed by glass - was invented by a Mexican businessman in the 1960s.

It has now garnered the title of the planet's 'fastest growing sport' with a meteoric rise in recent times.

Playtomic's 2025 Global Padel Report, which is widely referred to as 'the Bible of Padel' has highlighted the continued international rise and impact of the sport.

3,282 new clubs opened worldwide in 2024 at an average on almost nine new openings a day (a 22% increase from 2023).

7,187 new courts were built which put the total number of courts worldwide above 50,000.

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of a number of athletes to have invested in the growing sport

Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria was seen trying her hand at it at a charity tournament

The 26 per cent year-over-year growth in clubs and 17 per cent growth is reflective of a sport that has now made its way into the mainstream.

And it is only expected to continue picking up pace with more than 81,000 padel courts are expected to be built by 2027.

Unsurprisingly, international investors are flocking to padel, including several famous faces. Andy Murray backs Game4Padel, a padel court building company which is bringing the sport to Westfield London, and Cristiano Ronaldo has put money into a giant facility in Lisbon.

Padel was recognised by the International Olympic Committee in 2019, was officially designated a discipline of tennis in Britain in 2020.

It was played at the European Games in Poland in 2023, in its first appearance in a major multi-sport event, and the annual Hexagon Cup - a visionary competition held in Madrid played between teams helmed by celebrities including Lionel Messi and Andy Murray - held its draft for the February 2025 tournament at the start of last month.

PwC's Head of the Global Padel Report, Elena Martin mentioned: 'We are delighted to see that the sector has returned to a path of organic and sustainable growth, following the post-COVID activity surge and the adjustments made in 2023.

'With over 50,000 leads currently, development remains strong, particularly in key markets such as France and the United Kingdom. Our projections suggest that this growth momentum will continue in the years ahead.'

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