Industry news · Updated 20 October 2026

Germany has long been described as a sleeping giant for padel: a large, sports-loving country with a strong tennis tradition, but few courts compared with Spain or Italy. That is changing fast. In 2026 Germany has become one of the most active court-building markets in Europe. Here is what the latest figures show, and what they mean if you are considering an investment.

Court numbers have roughly doubled

The German court directory Padelfinder.de tracks padel courts across the country. Its figures show how quickly the market is moving:

In other words, the number of courts has roughly doubled in about twelve months. For comparison, the International Padel Federation (FIP) reported around 77,300 courts worldwide in its 2025 report, with more than 17,300 in Spain and more than 10,200 in Italy. Germany is still far behind the padel heartlands – which is exactly why many investors see room to grow.

Where the courts are

Growth is not spread evenly. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) leads by a wide margin, with around 680–700 courts according to Padelfinder’s figures. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg follow, with Lower Saxony, Hesse, Berlin and Hamburg next. Eastern states such as Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania still have relatively few courts.

For investors, this creates two different strategies:

• Proven regions such as NRW, where demand is documented but competition is increasing.
• Underserved regions, where there are fewer courts per inhabitant, but where you need to build awareness of the sport yourself.

Who is building – and how it is funded

Recent German projects show a broad mix of investors. In Oelde (NRW), a nine-court facility with 2,100 m² indoors and 1,000 m² outdoors was set to open on 11 October 2026; its operator said demand was well above the number of available courts. At the other end of the scale, a 60-member tennis club in Blankenheim-Reetz plans to convert an unused tennis court into a padel court, with total costs of around €270,000 and 70% covered by state funding.

Public money is playing a role in NRW in particular. In the Euskirchen district, six municipalities are receiving €910,000 in funding for padel projects. For sports clubs, this kind of support can make the difference between a plan and a finished court.

A growing event scene

Germany is also hosting top-level padel. A Premier Padel tournament was held at the “Castello” in Düsseldorf from 4 to 11 October 2026, in a hall with room for up to 3,300 spectators. The organiser reported that the semi-finals and finals were sold out. Big events like this raise the profile of the sport and bring new players to local clubs.

What this means if you build in Germany

• Think indoor or covered. German winters make year-round play difficult outdoors. Read our comparison of indoor and outdoor courts and our guide to canopies.
• Check funding. Clubs and municipalities may be able to apply for state or regional support – ask your local sports association.
• Plan permits early. Building permits, noise and lighting are handled locally. See permits for a padel centre.
• Control the court cost. With halls, foundations and lighting adding up, the price of the courts matters. See our court models or get an estimate in the configurator.

Frequently asked questions

How many padel courts are there in Germany?

According to Padelfinder.de, Germany had around 2,200 padel courts at more than 600 venues in September 2026, up from 1,255 at the end of 2025.

Which German state has the most padel courts?

North Rhine-Westphalia has by far the most, with around 680–700 courts according to Padelfinder.de.

Can Padel Provider deliver courts to Germany?

Yes. We deliver and install Padel Tech courts in Germany. You arrange the site, foundation and permits; we send you a quote for courts, freight and installation.

Sources: Padelfinder.de (court counts); ad-hoc-news.de, “Padel-Boom in Deutschland” (29 September 2026); FIP World Padel Report 2025.