Ready to smash your goals with a team that’s at the top of their game?
Working with Fordingbridge was a breath of fresh air! One of the most professional, respectful and diligent contractors we’ve ever worked with. Would highly recommend and certainly use them again.
Steve Mills, General Manager, Nottingham Tennis Centre
5 benefits of working with the UK’s leading padel court canopy provider:
✔ Bespoke solutions to meet your exact needs
✔ Expert teams looking after your build from design to installation
✔ All canopies fully compliant with SAPCA’s code of practice
✔ All projects meet the highest sustainability standards
✔ Industry leading 25-year guarantees on every structure
Photo: Powerleague Padel
Padel participation trebled in 2024 as explosive growth continues
The number of people who played padel at least once more than trebled in 2024, according to figures from the LTA, the sport’s national governing body. More than 400,000 adults and juniors took the court at least once during last year, up from 129,000 in 2023. The figure has grown exponentially – in 2019 just 15,000 people played at least once, but by 2021 the number had grown to 89,000.
Meanwhile, latest data from Sport England’ Active Lives survey – which tracks the number of adults who play twice monthly – shows that the number of regular players has doubled in a year, from 23,000 in 2022-23 to 51,000 in 2023-24. The growth in demand is mirrored by a rapidly expanding infrastructure, with 893 padel courts now available across 300 venues across Britain.
According to the LTA, it has invested more than £6 million
More than 400,000 adults and juniors took the court in 2024
in the growth of padel across Britain, including £4.5 million towards the development of 80 courts at 42 venues – which it says represents approximately 10% of all padel courts nationwide.
The LTA says that, according to its data, awareness of padel among
adults reached 43% of the population (approximately 23 million individuals) in the first quarter of 2025, representing a significant increase from 23% (12 million) during the same period in the previous year. The LTA has also launched a dedicated padel website (ltapadel.org.uk).
Head and Portico partner to grow game
Equipment brand Head Padel and Portico Sport – a padel court manufacturer – have agreed a strategic partnership aimed at supporting the global growth of padel. As part of this partnership, Portico Sport will market exclusive padel courts with Head’s branding.
The two partners will also support court growth on a global scale while offering countries a range of padel equipment.
Guillermo Maldonado, Director at Portico Sport, said: “By combining our expertise in padel court construction with HEAD’s leadership in padel equipment, we are offering a truly comprehensive solution for clubs and players worldwide. This collaboration strengthens our international presence and also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of padel as a global sport.”
Three new padel courts open at Tipton Sports Academy
Padel has arrived in Sandwell, with three new ‘Padel’ courts now open at Tipton Sports Academy (TSA) in the Black Country.
The launch of the three new indoor courts follows a £155,000 investment.
TSA is one of eight centres maintained and run by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) on behalf of Sandwell Council.
Mark Braithwaite, Chief Executive at Sandwell Leisure Trust, is already an avid padel player.
“I‘m delighted to be bringing these fantastic indoor padel courts
to Tipton Sports Academy as we continue to look for new ways to engage more people in physical activity and enjoy healthy lives.
“Playing padel is an ideal way to socialise with family, friends or other enthusiasts for a fun game, because it’s so easy to play and pick up for all ages, abilities and fitness levels.”
Shokat Lal, CEO of Sandwell Council, added: “This is another first for the borough and I am thrilled we are bringing padel, the fastest growing participation sport in the world, right here to Tipton with these new courts.”
10-court padel facility proposed for Surrey campus
University of Surrey (UoS) has announced plans to build new padel facilities at its sports campus in Guildford. The proposals for Surrey Sports Park consist of 10 covered padel courts, including a show court for elite tournaments. It will also contain a large clubhouse, a cafe, a bar, an extensive social area, and a retail offering.
UoS says it will be the biggest padel facility in Surrey and in the higher education sector, subject to planning permission.
The university is partnering with PadelStars to develop the new facility, which is planned to open in 2026.
Andy Knee, PadelStars CEO, said: “Surrey Sports Park (SSP) is a great partner for us: with a very large number of students on-site, many thousands of members, a broad multi-sport offer and a really progressive team of people driving SSP forward, we know that together we will create an incredibly vibrant home for padel in Guildford and beyond.”
Small-sided football operater, Powerleague, is making its biggest-ever move into padel, announcing a £2.2 million investment to bring 11 new courts to Scotland by the end of 2025.
As part of a wider £14 million UK expansion, this Scottish rollout will see padel courts open at three
major Powerleague clubs: Paisley (4 courts), Portobello (3), and Sighthill (4). The first site, Paisley, opens this July. All three sites will also feature newly refurbished bars and clubhouses—ideal for players to socialise before and after matches. It is considered the largest padel infrastructure investment in Scotland.
The indoor courts are among the first in the area
IMAGE: SLT
Launching at Active Net Padel on 3 June 2025 Radisson Blu Hotel, Stansted CM24 1PP
PLAY PADEL? WHY DO PEOPLE
Ray Algar – a leading physical activity and fitness strategist and researcher – has published a comprehensive UK Padel Report. In it, he says that discovering the motivations behind so many people falling in love with padel can tell us a lot about the future of padel
As a lifelong racket sports player, I find it fascinating to explore the rise of padel in the UK, not just by playing the game but also by researching its growth and community.
When I set out to develop the UK Padel Report, one question stood out: What is it about padel that makes people want to come back? It is essential to understand motivation – why people play and what keeps them engaged. In an abundant and diverse exercise landscape, padel appears to be doing something different.
Understanding why people play
To explore what motivates people to play padel, we invited players aged 16 and over from across the UK to complete a detailed survey. In total, 302 players participated, a robust and meaningful sample given the relative size of the UK padel-playing community. While national opinion polls often use samples of 1,000 or more, those populations are in the tens of millions.
The study used the Motives for Physical Activity Measure, a validated 30-statement psychological instrument widely used in sport and exercise science. It assesses motivation across five domains:
1 Interest/enjoyment
2 Competence
3 Fitness
4 Social connection
5 Physical appearance
The findings provide important insights into the psychological drivers behind participation and what they might mean for long-term engagement in padel.
Intrinsic motivation: the core driver of retention
The data tells a consistent story: padel players are motivated by the experience. Enjoyment and skill development emerge as the strongest drivers, with fitness also playing a supporting role. These are all intrinsic motivations, which means people participate because the activity is inherently satisfying, not due to any external reward.
WHY PLAYERS PLAY PADEL: A GENDER COMPARISON OF MOTIVATIONAL DRIVERS
Social connection contributes yet remains secondary to enjoyment and competence. Appearance is a common motivator in gym settings, but ranks lowest in padel. This underscores that players are not showing up to look better, but to feel better through play, progress, and belonging. Our gender analysis shows that women place slightly more value on fitness and competence and score marginally higher on social motivation. This suggests that padel’s blend of health, learning, and community is particularly resonant with female players. The real opportunity now is to move beyond generic, one-size-fits-all programming. By understanding the different motivational profiles across age, gender, and experience levels, clubs and coaches can better tailor their environments, from how sessions are structured to the tone of their communications. Motivation is not fixed, and the more closely padel aligns with what matters to each player, the more likely they are to stay.
Padel players show up not to look better, but to feel better through play, progress, and belonging
The contrast with the gym sector
In the gym sector, member retention remains a persistent challenge. Some studies show that 12-month member retention is around 52% (Dr Paul Bedford). This is often linked to extrinsic motivations, such as exercising for appearance goals or guilt, which tend to fade. In contrast, padel offers experiential loyalty: people play because they enjoy it, feel progress, and want to return. That difference makes padel a more durable and self-sustaining form of physical activity, which is a compelling public health story.
WHAT ARE PEOPLE GIVING UP TO PLAY PADEL?
What are people giving up to play padel?
Padel is not simply something players are adding to their schedules—for many, it is replacing other activities. We found that 29% had reduced their time at the gym or in fitness classes, while 22% had cut back on tennis. Even leisure habits like watching TV (20%) and socialising (10%) were substituted for padel. This substitution behaviour highlights padel’s increasing significance in people’s lives. It is not just about fitting it in; it is being prioritised.
Padel is still growing rapidly in the UK and is not as mature as other European markets
Source: Substitution behaviour, UK Padel Report, Oxygen Consulting
Designing for what truly motivates
As padel continues to grow, clubs and coaches must not just attract players but also keep them engaged. Our research reinforces a clear message: players stay when the experience is fun, purposeful, and intrinsically rewarding. That means designing sessions, pricing models, and environments that reflect what really matters to different players, whether it is joy, learning, social connection, or a sense of progress. Motivation is not one-size-fits-all. The full UK Padel Report explores these themes in greater depth.
This article draws on research published in the UK Padel Report, authored by Ray Algar of Oxygen Consulting.
RAY ALGAR
Algar is the founder of Oxygen Consulting, which provides strategic insight, research, and advisory services to the global health, fitness and wellbeing industry. He is collaborating with Espalier Ventures to develop a network of community padel centres under the Ikigai Padel brand, focused on delivering social value through inclusivity, physical activity and public health.
Published in May 2025, the UK Padel Report offers the most comprehensive national analysis of player motivation, participation trends and infrastructure development. It also examines court pricing models and includes an in-depth review of the UK’s leading padel operators. The 94-page report is available for immediate download for £250 plus VAT, accessible via the following link: https://oxygen-consulting.co.uk/knowledge-store
PADEL FACILITY TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2025
Adam Collier, Head of Sales & Padel at padel canopy and structures specialist, Fordingbridge, o ers his insights on the top trends shaping padel facilities in 2025
1
Padel facilities recognised as a ‘must have’
Until recently padel was predominantly played at racquet clubs, but now we’re seeing all kinds of sites waking up to padel’s unique draw. We’re currently working with existing fitness operators, rugby clubs, boat clubs, boutique hotels and education facilities to install allweather padel facilities that are becoming vital for attracting new members, guests and students.
2
All-weather court canopies
With players increasingly demanding year-round access to padel play, canopies are becoming essential given the UK’s unpredictable weather. We recently covered one padel court at Manchester Padel Club and within months were back to cover a second due to high demand for the covered court had been so high. Expect to see stylish canopy installations become the norm, not the exception.
3 Integrated lighting for night play
Padel after dark is becoming increasingly popular. As a result, expect to see more facilities investing in integrated LED lighting solutions paired with canopy structures. Also look for solutions like our unique Opal 60 canopy fabric that allows 60% light penetration to save on daylight lighting costs.
4
Smart booking systems
As padel demand continues to soar, appbased booking systems and real-time court availability tracking is becoming essential for managing peak demand efficiently.
5
City-centre play
In the early days of padel, clubs tended to be located on spacious sites, but as demand takes off, we’re seeing imaginative use of sites where space is at a premium. On these sites, design is key. Our high barrel-vaulted canopy at The Pollen Club in the middle of Manchester’s buzzy Deansgate creates a light-filled playing experience despite being surrounded by high-rise buildings.
6
Modular court design
Adaptability is the name of the game. Clubs are turning to modular court systems and flexible canopy solutions that allow for quick expansion, easy maintenance, conversion, or even popup venues for events or tournaments. At Fordingbridge, all of our canopies are futureproofed to become enclosed or insulated at any time throughout the 25 year warranty period, making them a great asset as operators evolve.
7
Enhanced social spaces
Padel is one of the most social sports out there and that is central to its appeal. Expect clubs to expand amenities like covered viewing lounges and cafés to encourage spectators and social engagement.
8
Thoughtful design
With padel facilities now being built in all kinds of environments, we’re seeing an increasing awareness of aesthetics. We are adapting many of our canopy solutions using different materials such as timber and powder coated finishing, to aide successful planning submissions in greenbelt locations and locations designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
9
Climate-controlled canopies
Taking weather protection up a notch, some high-end facilities are investing in climatecontrolled court covers with integrated heating solutions or mesh inserts to allow for temperature regulation and ventilation - offering a premium playing experience regardless of external conditions.
10
Sustainability in construction
From solar panels on canopy roofs to living walls covered in plants or recycled canopy structure materials, eco-conscious design is gaining momentum, with facilities increasingly prioritising building practices that reduce their carbon footprint without compromising performance or aesthetics.
Panoramic, premium courts are becoming popular
Event preview
ACTIVE-NET PADEL
Shaping the future of the Padel sector
The first ever active-net Padel event will take place on 3 June, bringing together the leaders of the rapidly growing sector
The Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted will host the inaugural active-net Padel event on 3 June. The one-day networking and education experience is designed to support the growth of the sector, bringing insight and opportunity to existing and new to market operators.
Connecting people
Designed to connect leisure operators, universities, private fitness providers and padel court operators with industry-leading suppliers, the event promises meaningful dialogue, expert insight and real opportunities for growth. Suppliers on the day will range from court manufacturers and franchise providers to marketing experts, health and safety specialists and service engineers, all offering a full spectrum of support for anyone considering an investment in padel.
Attendees can expect a packed schedule including educational seminars, twelve 1-to-1 meetings with relevant companies that they select, and dedicated networking slots. With 30 confirmed padel operators in attendance, this is a unique opportunity to connect with key decision-makers from across the leisure and fitness landscape.
The day will open with a Welcome Panel chaired by Mike Hill, Director of Active Insight, joined by Fabian David (Britain Padel Tour), Patrick Burge (Major Padel Club), and Gareth Evans (Padel Ventures).
Delegates can then choose between two expertled panels. The first is titled “The Data Behind the Opportunity”, chaired by Julie Allen (Active Insight), with Ray Algar (Oxygen Consulting) and Jake Bennett (Padel Ventures). The second, “Making the Most of the Investment”, will be chaired by Mike Hill, with insights from Gareth Evans, Andy Baker (SwimSpa) and Miguel Dominguez (Major Padel Club).
David Monkhouse, Director of active-net, commented: “We’re delighted to see the high level of response and enthusiasm for our first active-net Padel event. Now with seven events in total across the active-net series, our mission has remained the same, connecting people through insight and creating memorable experiences is at the core of what we do, so bringing that same structure with a padel focus is very exciting.
“We are looking forward to bringing better connections across the sector and empowering operators to take their businesses to the next level.”
If you are interested in understanding more about the active-net series, please visit www.active-net.org
About this research:
CONSUMER INSIGHT
This research was conducted by Active Insight’s Consumer Insight Panel exploring interest in playing padel. The initial findings were presented at active-net Private, where the theme covered secondary spend opportunities. Given the rise in popularity of Padel within the UK, a panel of 283 were asked if there were interested in plating padel. The respondents were then given a number of options to choose from - ranging from ‘Yes, but I don’t know how’ to ‘I’m not interested’.
Through Active Insight’s Consumer Insight Panel we are able to segment the data via a number of demographics including social medial platforms that the participants to this survey use, regions, gender, age, exercise frequency… even where they drink their coffee!
For a further breakdown of data, please reach out to Julie Allen julieallen@active-insight.org
Padel: Drivers
The top drivers to playing Padel in the UK
37%
49% 39%
Of people who exercise a few times a week would play but don’t know how
Of 18-24 year olds would play Padel but don’t know how
Higher % of females are interested in Padel
Of people said YES when asked if they would be interested in playing Padel
Of people who exercise daily would like to play Padel, but don’t know how
50% 29% 11%
Of people who exercise once a week would pay extra for Padel
TikTok | LinkedIn | Snapchat
Of 25-34 year olds are interested in Padel (50% would pay extra, 50% would play if (included in membership)
Of people interested in Padel drink in Starbucks 41% 47% 41% 80%
Most popular social media channels for those interesed in padel but don’t know how to play.
HIT MISS
A mystery shopper report, compiled for SportsNation by Proinsight, has shown that padel court operators could be missing out on new customers due to tardy or non-existent replies to enquiries
As interest in padel surges, so too does the importance of creating a smooth and supportive experience for those taking their first steps into the sport.
To explore how well padel court operators are responding to firsttime enquiries and turning them into business, SportsNation commissioned Proinsight to conduct a mystery shopper-style assessment of 20 padel centres across the country
The aim of the mystery shopper research was to evaluate how effectively operators support firsttime customers via websites, online/email enquiries, and telephone calls. The mystery shoppers were tasked with three specific actions for each location: browse the website, submit a web/email enquiry and make a telephone call, all from the perspective of someone completely new to padel. The questions were simple: Was it easy to find the information needed? Did staff respond promptly and helpfully? And, perhaps most importantly, did the interaction inspire confidence to take the next step?
The results, compiled in the Padel First Timer Enquiry Insights – May 2025 report, paint a mixed picture. While there are encouraging signs, the findings also highlight several missed opportunities – and a clear need for greater consistency.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Overall performance
Overall scores highlighted scope for improvement across all areas, but particularly for the online enquiry and telephone call experience.
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20). Note: sections marked with an * were only scored where a response was received – Online Enquiry (11) and Telephone (15)
Key headlines
l Assessment scores highlighted scope for improvement across all channels, but especially for the online enquiry and telephone call experience.
l Websites were generally easy to navigate and included most (but not always all) of the information a first timer would need to start. Email responses and telephone interactions were friendly, professional and personalised.
l Non-response was an issue for both online enquiries and telephone calls.
l 9 out of 20 didn’t receive a response to their online enquiry and 5 out of 20 weren’t able to get through after three separate call attempts.
l Typically, the measures performing less well were around access to information needed for someone new to padel, such as number of people needed to play, pricing info, equipment hire etc.
l Most felt at least somewhat confident to get started based on their experience, but across each channel there were some who did not feel confident. Email responses to an online enquiry were least likely to inspire confidence in first timers.
l There was inconsistency in experience, with some users citing a good experience while others struggled to make contact and get the information they needed.
What went well?
Across the 20 assessments, areas that performed better centred on ease of website navigation and friendly, personalised responses and interactions.
Website navigation
Email response was personalised
Call answered in a welcoming and friendly manner, and closed with a thank you
Asked about padel experience
What didn’t go so well?
Lower scoring areas were access to information needed for someone new to padel. Across all channels, the level of information available was inconsistent.
Website: not clear how many people needed to play
Website: not able to find out all information needed
Email response didn’t explain all necessary information (pricing, number of people etc.)
Telephone call didn’t explain all necessary information (pricing, number of people etc.)
Response times
Non-response was an issue for both online enquiries and telephone. Consider the impact of not being able to make contact for first time users looking to find out more, and how this could be a barrier to getting started.
11 out of 20 received a response within 24 hours
9 out of 20 received no response
Encouragingly, of those that did receive a response, most received a reply in less than 2 business hours (7 out of 11 assessments)
May-25 – Online Enquiry (11), Telephone (15)
Available info on the website
15 out of 20 were able to get through
5 out of 20 could not get through
Of the 15 successful calls, 12 were able to get through on their first attempt
Feedback on the websites was varied. Some websites included plenty of information. However, most websites failed to include all the information that might be useful to a first timer or someone new to padel. User suggestions for improvement could be broadly categorised into two areas: content and accessibility.
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS:
I wasn’t able to find any information about the game itself, the number of people involved or the equipment I would need to get started.
It was annoying that I could not see the prices.
The only thing I couldn’t find without clicking on the book now was the number of people required to play. From the booking, it looks like it’s doubles only, but it wasn’t fully clear.
The website needed the court times and prices.
The website is in development, but information was still available via the FAQ link; although it would have been helpful if this could have been made more prominent.
It was difficult to find a telephone number, bar the urgent call line
The page is quite ‘wordy’, and the key information is contained either within large chunks of text or at the bottom of the page. It could be highlighted in bold perhaps to make the key details stand out.
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20)
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20)
Mystery shopper
Confidence to get started
Although based on a small number of assessments, across each channel there were at least some users who didn’t feel confident to get started based on their experience. Email responses to an online enquiry were least likely to inspire confidence in first timers.
Based on your experience only, as a first time player, did you feel confident to get started?
Likelihood to recommend
The distribution of likelihood to recommend scores reflects the range of experiences users had when visiting the website, making an online enquiry and telephone call.
On a scale of 0-10 (0 being unlikely, 10 being likely) how likely are you to recommend this centre to a friend or colleague?
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20). Note: online and telephone were only scored where a response/reply was received. Chart shows number of users selecting each response.
Overall, it was a good experience contacting this centre. I found their response times were quick, and I was able to get the information I needed. After the interactions, I felt I had a good understanding of the game and would be confident to give it a go.
The email reply was very prompt, but quite basic with the information provided. I would have also liked to have some opening hour information, equipment hire, and it to be personalised by name. Also, the process to contact via telephone was very confusing.
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20)
Range of experience
For all channels, some users had a great experience while others struggled, highlighting a real inconsistency in experience across different locations.
This is a great website with lots of information on the sport itself, what you need to play and how to play. I loved the information on the construction of the courts, which really helped to pique my interest.
I received a very quick response to this enquiry, and I liked the level of detail provided… I liked that I was offered the chance to ask any additional questions.
I had a fantastic call with this team member where I was able to get a lot of information on the sport itself and what’s involved.
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20)
The site is woefully lacking and doesn’t tell me anything as a first timer what to expect, how many play, what it costs and when the courts are open.
It would have been useful to include here some basic “need to know” information, such as costs for court hire/coaching (if available), what equipment you needed etc.
I was disappointed that I didn’t manage to talk directly to anyone [after three separate attempts]… I am not sure that I would have continued to investigate the possibility of joining the club.
Nearly half of operators failed to respond to online enquiries, and one in four couldn’t be reached by phone – highlighting critical gaps in first-timer support
CHANNEL EXPERIENCE: DETAIL
Website experience
Overall, most were able to easily navigate the website and find most of the information needed as someone new to padel.
Higher scoring measures
● 17 of 20 assessments said it was ‘very easy’ to navigate the website
● Most were able to find information about equipment hire, court opening times and the cost of a padel session
Lower scoring measures
● Only half (10 of 20) said it was clear how many people you need to play
The website was well laid out; it was easy to read, with large font sizes, graphics, comprehensive information and conveyed friendliness. I felt it had all the information I needed to feel confident starting.
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 (20)
Telephone experience
Email or web enquiry experience
Online enquiry experience was the poorest performing. Non-response was the main issue, with almost half not receiving a response within 24 hours
Higher scoring measures
● Personalised response and closing
Lower scoring measures
● Response times (non-response)
● Invitation made to visit the centre
● Explaining/including relevant information
5 of 11 were told about equipment needed, 4 of 11 had pricing information, 1 of 11 included court opening hours, 1 of 11 stated how many people were needed to play
I sent an email, but I didn’t receive a response within 24 hours, which was disappointing.
I received a quick response to this email enquiry today, however, there wasn't a lot of information about the game itself and what was needed to play.
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 – Online Enquiry (11)
Five out of 20 weren’t able to get through on the phone. For those that did, the call was generally friendly and welcoming and some effort was made to discuss payment options, coaching and visiting the centre. However, often opportunities were missed to capture contact details and to share information that might put a new player at ease.
Higher scoring measures
● Call greeting
● Asked about padel experience
● Thanked for the call
Mid-scoring measures
● Staff member discussed option of pay and play padel courts/bookings
● Staff member discussed a padel coaching/programme
● Invited to visit the centre
Base: Padel Enquiry Assessments May-25 – Telephone (15)
Lower scoring measures
● Ability to get through
● Capture of contact details
● Explaining all necessary information
8 of 15 were told about equipment needed, 7 of 15 mentioned court opening hours, 6 of 15 were told about membership options
Focus SPORT IN FOCUS PADEL
Padel’s momentum is undeniable –more than 400,000 people played in 2024 and 8 million want to try it
Padel is growing at an incredible speed. How is the market dealing with the exploding number of new players and the constant stream of new facilities being built – and are we only at the beginning of the boom?
Padel’s popularity has sky-rocketed across the UK over the past few years. The explosive growth, with new clubs and courts opening almost weekly, is driven by the sport’s inclusive and social nature, appealing to a broad demographic. Padel’s accessibility – welcoming players of all ages and skill levels – has been a key factor in its success. There’s also significant buzz surrounding potential Olympic inclusion, which would undoubtedly accelerate its mainstream adoption. While the sport is thriving, it is easy to forget that the padel market remains in its early stages, when compared to more mature padel nations such as Spain. This provides immense opportunity for growth and innovation in the UK.
Growing participation
Figures collected and analysed by the LTA – padel’s national governing body – reveal that participation more than trebled last year, alongside a major spike in public awareness and interest. Published in May 2025, the latest data shows that, at the end of 2024, just over 400,000 adults and juniors in Great Britain had played padel at least once in the preceding 12 months – up from 129,000 at the end of 2023. The figures shows just how quickly the sport has grown. In 2019, just 15,000 people had tried padel. By 2021, the number had increased to 89,000. Meanwhile, according to Sport England’s Active Lives study, the number of adults who play at least twice monthly has doubled from 23,000 in 2022-23 to 51,000 in 2023-24.
A growing, exciting sport like padel deserves high-quality,
durable courts built to proper standards
This growth is supported by a rapidly expanding infrastructure, with 893 padel courts now available across 300 venues across Britain. As of February 2025, the LTA has invested more than £6 million in the growth of padel across Britain, including £4.5 million towards the development of 80 courts at 42 venues. The LTA says that this represents approximately 10% of all padel courts nationwide.
“Padel is playing an increasingly active role within our communities,” says Tom Murray, the LTA’s Head of Padel. “The LTA is passionate about opening up padel to a more diverse audience, including those from underserved communities across the country, so everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of staying active.”
The LTA says that more than three-quarters
shows that an average off-peak court booking now costs £7 per person per hour (based upon doubles.)
Growing awareness
form of community outreach, from local school
The LTA says that more than three-quarters of all padel venues are now involved in some form of community outreach, from local school partnerships to free sessions and coaching for underserved groups. It also cites research which
Awareness of padel among adults reached 43% of the population (approximately 23 million individuals) in the first quarter of 2025, representing a significant increase from 23% (12 million) during the same period in the previous year. Interest in playing padel across Britain continues to increase, with over eight million Britons expressing a desire to try padel, which is up by 60% over the past 12 months. This, the LTA says, reflects the sport’s “accessibility, social nature and appeal to all age groups”.
To help continue to drive the visibility
To help continue to drive the visibility and growth of the sport, the LTA recently expanded its digital presence with the launch of dedicated LTA Padel social media
channels. Fans and players can now follow “@ltapadel” on TikTok and “@LTA_Padel” on Instagram for content, including expert player tips, how-to guides, and the latest updates on Britain’s padel players. In May, the LTA also launched a dedicated padel website (www.ltapadel.org.uk) to support the growth of players, fans, competitors and venues. As interest in the sport continues to rise, the new site provides a variety of information for anyone looking to get involved – from beginners picking up a racket for the first time, to experienced players looking to compete. There is a range of accessible resources, including ‘how to get started’ guides, equipment advice and tips on entering competitions.
The platform also offers support for venues, including practical information on how to integrate padel into existing facilities and capitalise on the sport’s growing popularity. Furthermore, fans of the sport can enjoy a dedicated Fanzone, spotlighting the achievements of Britain’s elite padel players, celebrating milestones from across the padel community and providing player profiles.
According to Murray, the launch of the LTA Padel website marks an “exciting step” in the LTA’s commitment to growing padel at all levels.
“With more than 400,000 people taking to
the courts in 2024 and 8 million expressing interest in trying the sport, padel’s momentum is undeniable,” Murray said. “Increasing visibility and accessibility is a key pillar of our padel strategy, and through these new platforms and our partnerships across the sector, the LTA are able to share more content, reach new audiences, and help even more people discover where and how they can get involved in the sport.”
Setting up shop
The boom in interest has resulted in a number of privately-owned operators setting up businesses. A lot of the growth is driven by these commercial operators, which are establishing multi-court venues across the UK.
One of the leading operators is Padium, which is currently expanding its number of sites. The company’s Operations Manager, Max Lutostanski, says that the company is looking to offer a “worldclass experience” before, during and after games.
“The UK padel market is currently experiencing rapid growth, with demand much higher compared to the number of courts across the country,” Lutostanski says. Over the next two
A large part of padel’s popularity is thanks to the sport’s social nature
Places Focus
Padel’s appeal lies in its accessibility, social nature, and ability to engage all age groups
years, we aim to expand our presence across major UK cities. This will include opening new clubs in strategic locations, particularly in areas where the sport is gaining traction.
“We will also focus on community engagement and junior programmes to introduce more people to the sport, working with schools, universities and local businesses. Additionally, plans to host or sponsor tournaments and events are being discussed to increase brand visibility and establish Padium as a leader in the UK’s padel scene.”
According to Mark Hewlett, CEO and Founder of Soul Padel, another leading operator, the sport will only grow. “Several sports clubs, leisure centres and gyms are integrating padel into their offerings, and the market is now reaching a point where both participation and infrastructure are expanding quickly,” he says, adding that there are, however, notable regional differences in the UK’s padel landscape.
“London and the Southeast are leading the way with the highest concentration of padel courts and clubs,” Hewlett says. “The demand in these areas is driven by affluent communities, a strong network of sporting clubs and proximity to international padel trends.
“The Midlands and Northern regions, particularly cities like Manchester and Birmingham, are also showing strong interest, but infrastructure is still catching up to meet the demand. Conversely, parts of the UK, such as rural areas and regions like Scotland and Wales, have seen less exposure to the sport.”
Building quality
To ensure that padel’s growth is sustainable, it is important to provide new entrants to the sport enjoyable – and safe – playing experiences. As operators look to meet the increasing demand by building more courts, a number of construction companies have popped up, claiming to be experts in court design and construction. Others, while making no claims of expertise, are prepared to “have a go” at building a court despite no prior experience of working in padel.
Sadly, this has meant that in some cases the rush to meet demand – often at the lowest possible cost – has resulted in examples in which courts have not been built to high enough standards. In the worst cases, courts have been erected in ways entirely incompatible to UK weather conditions and other requirements. There have already been cases in which urgent remedial works are required to bring courts up to scratch. In others, the use of wrong and substandard materials have meant newly-built courts have been forced to close for good, soon after their grand opening.
“A growing, exciting sport like padel deserves high-quality, durable courts,” says Richard Shaw, CEO of the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), whose membership consist of the leading specialists in padel court design, construction and maintenance.
The increased number of facilities means that padel is increasingly played by young people and children
“The easiest way to ensure a successful padel court construction project is to adhere to The SAPCA Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts. It provides a minimum standard of specification and proficiency, which will ensure a court will both offer a quality experience for players and stand the test of time.
“In turn, the easiest way to ensure that a project is completed according to the Code of Practice is to only work with SAPCA member companies –who are all committed to meeting the standards.”
The SAPCA Code of Practice for the Construction of Padel Courts has been developed in collaboration with the LTA, ensuring that the guidelines reflect both international best practices and the specific requirements of the UK market. By following the standards, courts are guaranteed to meet the performance, safety and longevity expectations of players, clubs and venues.
“Non-compliance with these established standards can lead to sub-par courts that fail to meet the demands of competitive or recreational play,” Shaw adds. “Crucially, while numerous companies in the UK offer design and build services for padel courts, only SAPCA member companies are guaranteed to follow the SAPCA Code of Practice. SAPCA members are rigorously vetted to ensure they have the technical expertise and commitment to adhere to the standards.”
A bright future
The LTA launched its new strategy for padel in Britain in September 2024. In it, the NGB outlines a vision to “open padel up” to even more people across the country and to keep growing the sport by making it more accessible, welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring.
The UK padel market is booming,
but infrastructure is still catching up to
soaring demand
The
increased awareness of padel means that people of all ages and backgrounds are finding the sport
The new strategy, which covers the period from 2024 to 2029, maintains the LTA’s focus on growing the infrastructure of padel, increasing and diversifying the coaching workforce and building on the performance pathway as well as increasing visibility and driving participation.
The new strategy aims to help deliver the next stage of the sports development with a series of actions that focus on investing in the visibility of padel and its infrastructure, growing the fan and player base, growing and engaging the padel workforce, developing opportunities to widen the appeal of padel and creating a pathway and support for adult and junior performance players.
The commitments for the first phase of the strategy, through to the end of 2026, include growing the interest in playing from 7.5% to 15%. It also includes a target to increase the number of players who play at least once a year from 129,000 to 400,000 and the number of monthly players from 65,000 to 200,000. As the figures released in May 2025 show, the former target has already been hit.
From a facility point of view, the strategy identifies a goal of increasing the number of padel courts from 350 to 1,000, while also growing the padel coach and activator workforce from 40 to 700. From 2025 onwards, the LTA
will also establish a new Padel Advisory Group (PAG) to help guide the development of the sport across Britain. The group will be open to those from across the industry who want to work collaboratively and share ideas to grow the sport.
The LTA’s Tom Murray says: “The strategy will help take padel in Britain to the next level. The strategy and tactics that we’ve put in place will truly help to open padel up to many more people across the country, with more funding, facilities and coaches ensuring that the sport is accessible, welcoming, enjoyable and inspiring.
“Having successfully completed the tasks we identified in our 2020–23 Padel Development Plan, we now want to evolve our approach in order to grow padel by making it accessible, welcoming, enjoyable, and inspiring and maximise the sport’s impact to achieve sustainable growth for the future.
“Over the coming years we will maintain our focus on padel infrastructure, growing and diversifying the padel coaching workforce, and implementing a performance pathway that supports current players whilst also paving the way for the next generation. Alongside this we will invest in driving greater visibility for the sport, including exploring opportunities for professional padel events in Great Britain. It’s an exciting time for the sport.”
COACHING MASTERCLASS
Padel facility operator, Surge Padel, aims to establish its Harrogate site as a centre of excellence for the sport. As part of the plans, Surge invited renowned coach Mauri Andrini to host a three-day elite coaching course at the site
In May, Surge Padel hosted internationallyrenowned coach Mauri Andrini, founder of Hello Padel Academy, at its Surge Padel Harrogate site. Andrini delivered the Hello Padel Bronze Coaching Certificate during a three-day course that brought together aspiring and experienced coaches from across the UK and marked a major milestone in the ongoing development of padel in Britain.
“The event placed Surge Harrogate firmly at the heart of British padel’s coaching evolution,” Said Rich Wingfield, CEO of Surge Padel. “It underscored the importance of investing in coach education as a foundation for long-term, sustainable growth.”
Laying the Foundations
respected educators – was a strategic move to help shape the next generation of British coaches.
The Bronze Course delivered by Andrini offered an intensive yet accessible entry point into structured coach development.
Participants gained early access to the Hello Padel platform four weeks before the course began and will retain that access for a full year afterward, supporting continuous learning.
As padel continues its explosive rise in popularity across the UK, the need for skilled and qualified coaches has never been greater. According to Surge, welcoming Mauri Andrini – one of the sport’s most
Throughout the weekend, coaches were guided through technical fundamentals, tactical principles, and best-practice coaching methodologies – delivered in Mauri’s trademark high-energy, engaging style. For some, it marked the start of their formal coaching journey. For others, it was a chance to refine their craft and deepen their impact on court.
“Importantly, the Bronze certification process doesn’t end with the course itself,” Wingfield says. “All attendees must now complete a rigorous practical assessment, judged by the Hello Padel tutor in
team based in Barcelona. Feedback and the opportunity to retake the exam are provided, with the Silver Certification available as the next step for those looking to expand their tactical and strategic coaching expertise.”
Raising standards, inspiring confidence
The real impact of the Bronze Course, Wingfield says, will be felt on court – by players of all levels. With better coaching comes better sessions, more technical skill development, and a stronger sense of community for everyone involved in the game.
“Whether someone is brand new to padel or pushing for tournament success, having access to educated, passionate coaches makes all the difference,” Wingfield adds. “The coaches who trained under Mauri this weekend will now go on to elevate standards not just at Surge Harrogate, but at clubs across the UK.
“This aligns perfectly with Surge Padel’s long-term vision: to ensure that every player, regardless of experience, has a clear, supported pathway to grow their game in a structured, fun, and professionally delivered environment.”
Powering grassroots growth
Another major focus of the weekend for Surge Padel was the long-term impact the wave of trained coaches will have on youth development. With more qualified coaches now active, clubs like Surge Harrogate will be better equipped to deliver kids’
The event placed Surge
Harrogate
firmly at the heart of British padel’s coaching evolution
camps, school programmes and beginner sessions that introduce the sport to younger players.
“Developing strong grassroots programmes is vital for growing participation and securing a sustainable future for the sport,” Wingfield says.
“This Bronze Certification event was a crucial step in making sure the coaches leading these sessions are not just enthusiastic, but also professionally prepared to nurture the next generation of players.”
The training course is part of Surge Padel Harrogate’s strategy to establish itself as a centre of excellence for padel in the North of England. Hosting Mauri Andrini and delivering the Hello Padel Bronze Course has no doubt reinforced its reputation as a leader in coaching development and innovation.
“As the dust settles after an inspiring and action-packed weekend, the legacy is already clear: more great coaches, more confident players, and a brighter, stronger future for British padel,” Wingfield says.
Places
The padel market is red hot and new facilities, services and products are entering the market on a weekly basis. SportsNation looks at some of the recent additions
From an underused court to a popular community hub for sport
Specialist padel court supplier and SAPCA member, SG Padel, took the lead on transforming an underused tennis court and spare land at Club Kingswood – Basildon’s award-winning leisure centre – into a vibrant padel destination. From initial feasibility assessments and architectural design to the grand opening, SG Padel – the UK distributor for Mejorset Padel Courts – was fully involved at every step of the project.
Mondo putting a spring in players’ step with innovative new surface
Sports surfaces specialist Mondo is recognised as a leading supplier of athletics tracks – not least as the official supplier for several summer Olympic Games. Now, the Italy-based company and SAPCA member, which was founded in 1948, is making a name in the padel market.
Mondo’s new Premier Supercourt X3 is a synthetic turf system designed specifically for padel courts. It combines parallelepiped-shaped (parallelepiped is a three-dimensional geometric shape characterized by six parallelogram faces) XNOVA textured monofilaments with concave sides. The product is characterised by four grooves and four asymmetric ribs that act as lateral reinforcements, XOMEGA textured monofilaments with a semicircular structure and triangular-shaped XDELTA monofilaments.
The aim of combining the three filaments that make up the system is to provide the surface with elastic memory – thanks to different thicknesses and morphologies. The textured filaments act like springs, minimizing surface wear and improving appearance.
To prepare the site, the company’s groundworks team constructed concrete ring beams, filled them with stone for optimal drainage and finished the surface with permeable tarmac to create a solid foundation for the courts. Once the court structures were in place, SG Padel’s landscaping team enhanced the surrounding areas with green turf, adding a striking visual appeal.
The facility’s Mejorset V-Pro courts now sit at the heart of the revitalised space, which also include a bar, a balcony overlooking the action and a welcoming social seating area for spectators.
“With Premier Supercourt X3, players have a total feeling of safety and confidence in their movements, also reducing the risk of injuries,” Mondo says. “The grip level of the new surface also significantly improves shock absorption, stability, traction and balance during play.”
New solution limits the need for groundworks on courts
PRO Padel Courts has created an innovative, steel base plate court system that has been engineered to eliminate the need for extensive groundworks. The steel base system allows for installation with minimal disruption, removing the need for concrete foundations.
According to the company – a SAPCA member – utilising the design could save property owners more than £20,000 in ground preparation costs.
The company has installed a number of courts across the country, including a number of high-profile projects, including The Queens’ Club in London; The Roehampton Club; Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire and Notts County Football Club.
Sterling Turf delivers PadelPro turf at flagship Kent facility
SAPCA member Sterling Turf is another company making waves on the padel market. A number of recent padel court projects have featured the Sterling PadelPro turf as the chosen playing surface.
One of the installations was at Square One Padel’s brand new site in Ashford, Kent. The facility features vibrant blue PadelPRO courts, which have been paired with sleek black DuraSURROUND turf.
“We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for customers at all stages of the process but most importantly by doing the basics right every time, Sterling Turf says. “As a result, we have established ourselves as a go-to choice for contractors, venues and private users who look to create an incredible playing experience. We have hundreds of courts already installed across the country.”
Powerleague investing £2.2 million in Scottish padel
Commercial small-sided football operator, Powerleague, has entered the padel market with a bang. The company’s latest move will see it investing £2.2 million to introduce padel to three of its existing Scottish clubs.
The Scottish expansion is part of a wider £14 million UK-wide rollout of padel, which will see Powerleague deliver 76 courts across its estate by 2026, as part of its ambition to become the nation’s leading provider of small-sided sports. The Scottish investment will deliver 11 padel courts across Powerleague’s Paisley, Portobello and Sighthill clubs by the end of 2025 and marks the single largest investment in padel infrastructure by any company in Scotland to date.
All three clubs have also unveiled refurbished bars and clubhouses, creating vibrant social hubs for local communities.
Christian Rose, CEO of Powerleague, said: “Padel is experiencing explosive global growth, with over 25 million players across more than 100 countries and a compound annual growth rate of 26%. Its rapid rise comes down to its simplicity, social nature, and sheer fun, making it a perfect match for Powerleague’s dynamic, community-focused venues.
“We’re committed to making the sport more accessible and saw a great opportunity to bring padel to more locations across the UK, including Scotland. It’s exciting to see the sport grow and reach new communities.”
Places
Soul Padel and Loughborough Uni bring padel to campus
Loughborough University has partnered with Soul Padel to deliver two padel courts on campus. The courts – installed on the University’s Ball Park – will be operated by Soul Padel, in partnership with Loughborough Sport, for an initial period of six months.
Liv Murphy, Acting Director of Sport at Loughborough University said: “These courts will not only enhance our already enviable sporting offer but also underpin our commitment to creating a vibrant and active environment for all.”
Mark Hewlett, founder and CEO of Soul Padel, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for Soul Padel. Loughborough University is a world leader in sport, and its campus is a place where people come to play, learn, and excel.
“We’re thrilled to be adding padel to their mix, ensuring it becomes part of this incredible sporting ecosystem. Our mission has always been to make padel more accessible, and by partnering with Loughborough University, we’re creating opportunities for everyone – from elite athletes to complete beginners – to experience the joy of this dynamic and social game.”
Historic Belfast Boat Club embraces the future with padel
Established in 1876, Belfast Boat Club (BBC) has a proud heritage of sporting tradition. By 1907, the club had added eight grass tennis courts, and in 1913, it became affiliated with the Irish Lawn Tennis Association, reinforcing its role in the development of tennis in Ireland.
In keeping with its progressive outlook, BBC recognised the rapid rise of padel. In January 2023, the club approached SAPCA member Rocklyn to explore the integration of padel into its range of sporting facilities.
Following in-depth discussions, BBC made the strategic decision to redevelop Court 1, transforming it into a dedicated padel zone featuring three courts, including two with canopy coverage. The redevelopment included surface removal, drainage upgrades, spot piling and tarmac installation. The practical and cost-effective solution enabled the use of self-supporting Club10 courts, removing the need for a traditional concrete ring beam.
The padel courts mirror the high specifications used throughout Belfast Boat Club. While the upfront cost is slightly above standard court builds, this is offset by reduced groundwork requirements and superior visual appeal.
Since opening, the facility has quickly reached full occupancy, demonstrating both the quality of the installation and the growing demand for padel within the club and wider community.
Padel canopy allows play whether rain or shine
The Pollen Club, located in the heart of Manchester’s vibrant Deansgate district, is an example of how citycentre padel facilities can provide light-filled playing experiences even on sites where space is at a premium.
On a site surrounded by high rise buildings and right next to the city’s Harvey Nichols store, SAPCA member Fordingbridge created a vast 48m x 12m padel court canopy for the club’s two new padel courts. Covered in Fordingbridge’s unique Opal 60 fabric, the canopy creates an all-weather solution, shielding players not only from the city’s notorious rain but also from winds and UV rays.
Standing at 6m tall the new barrel-vaulted canopy sits seamlessly in its glamorous city-centre surroundings and creates an airy, bright playing environment – perfectly fitting the club’s plans to open into the evenings through the summer.
Portico Sport begins work on second phase of The Padel Club Trafford City
SAPCA member, Portico Sport UK, continues to grow its presence in the UK padel market and has worked on a number of facility projects recently – including at Tipton Sports Academy and Barnsley Sports Club, as well as Heron Tennis.
One of the most ambitious projects currently underway is the second phase of The Padel Club TraffordCity, which is set to become the largest purpose-built padel complex in the UK. The landmark facility will feature custom-built courts and highperformance canopies to ensure year-round playability. Meanwhile, at the iconic The Queen’s Club in Nottingham, Portico Sport UK has implemented an innovative technical solution – the Elevated Platform – specifically designed to enable the installation of courts in spaces previously deemed unviable.
The company’s commitment to quality and innovation was recognised earlier this year at the SAPCA Awards. The company’s work on the Club de Padel project in Manchester was picked as a finalist for the SAPCA Award for “Small Sports or Play Project of the Year”.
Acenta Group and Padel Sports 100 sign deal for 50 padel courts
Acenta Group has signed a letter of intent with the Irish company, Padel Sports 100, regarding sale and installation of at least 50 padel courts. The delivery is planned to take place over a period of 12-15 months and the courts are intended to be provided through a lease arrangement with a term of five years. During the lease period, Acenta Group will receive a small fee per booking.
The deal is part of Padel 100’s ambitious plans for the Irish padel market. The company recently secured ¤5 million in funding to open 100 padel courts in Ireland. The funding marks an aggressive step for the growth of padel in Ireland, with the ambition to make the sport accessible across the country.
Padel 100 was founded by Ben Keohane and Ryan Hennessy and is backed by a consortium of investors
with backgrounds in both business and sport.
Construction of the first courts is expected to begin in summer 2025 with confirmed sites in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Clare, Waterford and Wexford as part of phase one. Additional courts are planned in suburban and regional areas in 2025 and beyond.
Ben Keohane, founder of Padel 100, said: “A potential partnership with Acenta Group, together with our own investor network, offers not only a stable financial foundation but also operational expertise in delivering infrastructure on a larger scale. Acenta Group’s listing on the Swedish stock market adds international momentum and a shared vision for the sustainable and accessible development of padel sports. We look forward to continuing discussions and hopefully establishing a long-term partnership.”
