Global Padel Statistics 2026
Worldwide padel participation — the 30M+ active players, 130+ countries, and the handful of national markets (Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Italy) that anchor the sport globally. Every country below has a dedicated stats page.
Top 10 Countries by Padel Players
Country-Specific Statistics
Spain Padel Statistics
6,000,000 players · 18,500 courts · 4,200 clubs.
Argentina Padel Statistics
3,400,000 players · 11,000 courts · 2,800 clubs.
Mexico Padel Statistics
2,800,000 players · 8,500 courts · 2,100 clubs.
Italy Padel Statistics
1,100,000 players · 7,200 courts · 1,800 clubs.
Brazil Padel Statistics
900,000 players · 4,500 courts · 1,100 clubs.
Sweden Padel Statistics
475,000 players · 3,200 courts · 650 clubs.
France Padel Statistics
420,000 players · 2,900 courts · 580 clubs.
United Kingdom Padel Statistics
200,000 players · 620 courts · 220 clubs.
Sources: International Padel Federation (FIP) member federation reports 2025, Real Federación Española de Pádel, Asociación Argentina de Pádel, Federación Mexicana de Pádel, Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel, Svenska Padelförbundet, LTA (UK), and Branded Pickleball research.
Why Padel Looks Different From Country to Country
Padel’s growth pattern varies sharply by region. In Spain and Argentina, padel is a mature mass-market sport — more people play it than tennis. In Italy, Sweden, and the UK, it’s mid-stage: clubs are opening every week, pro events are drawing crowds, and player demographics still skew affluent. In the United States and Brazil, it’s early-stage but on a steep growth curve with heavy capital inflow.
The underlying driver in every market is the same: padel is easier to learn than tennis, cheaper to run than tennis at scale (glass-walled 10m × 20m courts fit where a tennis court would), and more social because it’s always played in doubles. Country-level differences come down to infrastructure maturity and cultural exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people play padel worldwide?
The International Padel Federation (FIP) estimates 30+ million active padel players across 130+ countries, making it one of the fastest-growing racket sports globally. Spain alone accounts for ~6 million of those players.
Which country has the most padel players?
Spain has ~6 million active players — roughly 12% of the Spanish adult population. Argentina (3.4M) and Mexico (2.8M) are next, reflecting padel’s origins in Latin America and Spain.
Which country has the most padel courts?
Spain leads with approximately 18,500+ courts — far more than any other country. Argentina and Mexico each have over 8,000 courts; Italy recently crossed 7,000 after five years of explosive growth.
Which country invented padel?
Padel was invented in Acapulco, Mexico in 1969 by Enrique Corcuera, who built the first enclosed court at his home. Argentina popularised the sport in the 1970s and 1980s, and Spain turned it into a mass-market sport and commercial hub starting in the 1990s.
Where is padel growing fastest?
The fastest-growing markets by percentage (2020-2025) are Italy, Sweden, the UK, and the United States. By absolute new-player addition, Italy, the US, and the UK lead. See the top-10 country chart above.
Is padel bigger than tennis anywhere?
In Spain, padel participation (~6M) now exceeds tennis participation (~5.4M) — a reversal that happened around 2019. In several Latin American countries padel has matched or exceeded tennis as well. Globally tennis remains ~3× the size of padel but is growing much more slowly.
Cite This Page
Citing these numbers? Please reference “Branded Pickleball — Global Padel Statistics 2026” and link to https://brandedpickleball.com/padel-stats/global. Individual figures are sourced in the note above.
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