News · 1 October 2026

Padel is still growing, but the nature of that growth is changing. That is the main message of the Global Padel Report 2026, which the booking platform Playtomic and PwC’s advisory unit Strategy& presented in Barcelona in June 2026. The report describes a sport moving from explosive growth to a more mature phase.

Key figures from the report

From “build courts” to “fill the courts”

According to the report, the challenge is no longer just building courts, but filling them in a sustainable way. Markets fall into several groups:

• Mature markets such as Spain, where growth in 2025 was around 1.9 %.
• Markets adjusting after the boom, for example Sweden and Finland, where in some areas more has been built than demand can support.
• “Hotspots” such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland, where demand is still larger than supply.

What it means if you want to build courts

For clubs, centres and investors the message is not that padel is declining, but that location, quality and operations matter more than before. Three things are worth taking with you:

• Know your local market. How many courts are there in the area, and how busy are they?
• Choose courts that last. As competition grows, playing experience and low maintenance become more important.
• Think about the whole experience. Lighting for evening play, good materials and an inviting court help fill the calendar.

Germany is highlighted as one of the markets with the largest unmet demand. Padel Provider has already installed more than 50 courts in Germany.

See also how many padel courts should you build? and how to choose a location.

Source: Actu Padel on the Global Padel Report 2026 (Playtomic and Strategy&/PwC).