Padel, the new engine of global sports tourism

Driven by spectacular growth, padel is no longer just captivating on the courts It now influences travel habits. According to the International Federation of Padel This sport is establishing itself as a real driver of sports tourism, between infrastructure development, international events and new expectations of participants.

A game-changing global expansion

Padel continues its rapid rise. According to the International Federation of Padel, The milestone of 35 million players has been reached worldwide. At the same time, the number of pitches increased by more than 15% in one year , now reaching approximately 77 tracks distributed in more than 24 clubs.

Growth that is no longer limited to traditional sports facilities. Hotels, residential complexes and resorts are investing heavily in padel, seeing it as an asset to attract customers seeking sporting experiences.

The discipline is thus described as "a global language, a cultural phenomenon", but also as a development model structured around a common vision.

Padel, the new engine of global sports tourism — FIP

Europe as the engine, new markets lying in wait

Without surprise, Europe remains the heart of world padel with more 51 lots . Behind, The Americas (18,500 tracks) confirm their momentum, particularly in Mexico and Florida , While asia now exceeds 4,500 plots of land, backed by Saudi Arabia.

On the Old Continent, the Spain and Italy appear as mature markets. But the most significant progress is elsewhere. The Federation highlights several countries to watch: the Switzerland (+400 plots), the Greece and Austria (+300), or even the Lithuania and Cyprus (+ 200).

This development is also explained by the flexibility of padel: more compact than tennis, it adapts to areas where space is limited or constraining, facilitating the emergence of new communities of players.

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Traveling to play: a growing trend

With the increasing number of players, a new habit is emerging: traveling with your racket. Padel is becoming a deciding factor when planning holidays.

Luciano Cestari, founder of LC Tennis & Padel Holidays observes a clear transformation in demand:
"In 2021, our offers were split equally between tennis and padel. By 2026, nine out of ten stays will be dedicated to padel."

Already present in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Menorca, it plans to expand its operations into Italy. This development reveals a rapidly changing market, where padel is becoming a central driver of sports tourism.

Competitions, catalysts for travel

Beyond recreational play, major competitions play a key role in this dynamic. International circuits now attract players and spectators from dozens of countries.

Among them, the Premier Padel , FIP Tour Furthermore, the world and continental competitions organized by the FIP actively contribute to these flows. Not to mention the announced launch of a a new amateur circuit in 2026, named FIP Beyond.

These events, organized in various destinations from Seville to Kuwait, reinforce the attractiveness of padel as a fully-fledged tourist product.

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Growth that needs to be managed

Faced with this expansion, the governance of the sport is becoming a major issue. The president of the FIP, Luigi Carraro, insists on the need to preserve the identity of padel:
"This growth comes with increased responsibility: preserving the values that make padel unique: accessibility, inclusion, respect, and ensuring that its development is accompanied by an elevation of its culture."

A clear message at a time when padel, now global, continues to expand its playing field... far beyond the courts.

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!