Sweden, Chile, Finland: the leading padel markets already in crisis

Le Global Padel Report 2026 Playtomic's report highlights a less visible reality behind the global growth of padel: several countries are already experiencing structural difficulties. Sweden , the Chili or the Finland are going through a correction phase marked by club closures, a drop in attendance, and overcapacity of fields. Conversely, markets such as USA (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the India (called Diamonds in the Rough ) have strong potential, but remain held back by economic and structural obstacles.

Sweden: the most telling case of a market that moved too fast

La Sweden is the clearest example of a market that has grown too rapidly. The report speaks of a deep correction marked by club closures, market consolidation and rationalization of operator portfolios.

The problem is clear: the supply of runways has increased faster than the actual demand. The result: overcapacity Decreased occupancy rates, downward pressure on prices, and the exit of the weakest players. Sweden therefore remains in a phase of forced contraction , after a post-Covid explosion that was not entirely sustainable.

Chile: Real demand, but too rapid a surge

Le Chili This presents a different case. Demand exists, but the market experienced a period of overheating. Between 2020 and 2022, padel quickly established itself as a social and accessible sport. Then supply followed too quickly: the number of clubs and courts increased sharply, before the market reversed course.

The report specifically mentions a decline in monthly bookings in 2024 and more than 80 club closures Chile, however, remains a large market in the Americas, with more than 620 clubs and about 2 tracks , but it is now entering a more selective phase, where only the best-structured operators are expected to survive.

Finland: a market too mature for its demand

La Finland is classified along with Sweden and Chile as post-boom adjustment markets. The report highlights a problem of Insufficient use , with demand not fully keeping pace with the level of infrastructure installed.

Finland illustrates a classic risk: building quickly is not enough. Without a base of regular players, without activity, without a solid economic model, clubs can quickly find themselves with empty slots, especially outside of peak hours.

United States: enormous potential, but growth hampered

The USA They are not in crisis, but remain a difficult market. The potential is immense, but the report emphasizes several obstacles: high construction costs, complex permits, high commercial rents, expensive logistics for importing land, and still limited brand awareness outside major hubs.

Demand is concentrated mainly in Florida, Texas, California and in certain markets on the East Coast. Padel remains very premium, with adoption driven by Latin American and international communities and by a clientele with high purchasing power.

India, Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, Poland: potential, but a fragile base

These countries are classified in the Diamonds in the Rough These are not necessarily failed markets, but still fragile markets, with irregular demand, often concentrated in a few large cities or among a clientele of early adopters.

The report emphasizes one point: the long-term potential is real, but it will depend on the ability to build a genuine ecosystem. This means greater visibility, more education about the sport, more playing habits, and an offering better suited to local purchasing power.

The main lesson: padel can no longer develop solely with courts

The report sends a clear message: padel's growth must now be aligned with actual demand. Struggling markets demonstrate that an overabundance of courts, without regular players or a solid business model, can quickly create a bubble.

Global padel continues to progress, but the current phase is more mature: clubs will have to focus on occupation , the Loyalty , the quality of service , the sports programming and the financial discipline , rather than simply multiplying the number of plots of land.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.