The latest figures published by PadelnomicsBased on annual British reports on the sporting habits of the population, an interesting trend emerges: the growth of padel and pickleball does not appear to be at the expense of other racket sports. On the contrary, these disciplines could help revitalize the entire sector. 

The data, which covers the period from 2015 to 2025, shows a marked evolution in sports practices in the United Kingdom.

A spectacular growth of padel

In 2025,  0,6% of the British population  declares having played padel in the last twelve months. A figure that may seem modest, but which represents a spectacular increase:  the practice has increased sixfold in just two years .

Pickleball follows a similar trajectory, with  0,3% of practitioners in 2025 i.e  three times more than two years ago .

These two disciplines are still far from being historical sports, but their growth is currently the fastest of all racket sports.

Is padel raising the bar for all racket sports?

Tennis is making a comeback

The other major finding of this study concerns tennis. After several more challenging years, it has returned to a level of participation comparable to that observed in 2015, with nearly  6,8%  of the population who played at least once during the year.

Badminton and squash have also shown positive momentum in recent years. While they haven't yet returned to their historical peaks, their recent growth contrasts with fears that the rise of padel would cannibalize the other sports.

On the contrary, the curves seem to show that these sports are now evolving in the same direction.

This observation is echoed in France.

This trend is reminiscent of what many French clubs are already observing on the field.

The development of padel has allowed many  former tennis players  to renew their licenses and return to the clubs. Some have specialized in padel, while others have also returned to the tennis courts.

At the same time, a new group of players, who had never played tennis before, discovered clubs through padel. Some of these players then became interested in the other sports offered.

Pickleball, which is also experiencing rapid growth, could produce similar effects in the coming years.

Towards multi-racket clubs

These figures support a growing idea: racket sports are not necessarily in competition. On the contrary, they can strengthen each other.

This is also the vision championed by the French Tennis Federation, which encourages the development of  multi-racket clubs The goal is to create synergies between tennis, padel, pickleball, beach tennis and other disciplines, in order to broaden the audience and increase club attendance.

As advocates of this approach often summarize for local authorities:  "The tennis club should strive to become a multi-racket club to create synergies that will benefit all these sports." 

British figures provide further support for this strategy: the rise of padel and pickleball could well be an opportunity for all racket sports, rather than a threat.

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!

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