The distribution of padel playing locations in France reveals an increasingly clear structuring between the FFT clubs private clubs and other operators. Data from theObservatory of Padel 2025led by the Union Sport & Cycle with the support of the French Tennis FederationIn collaboration with Padel Magazine et Padelonomics, allow for a detailed analysis of how the 4 padel courts located in the territory.

This precise snapshot of the market highlights the growing weight of the private sector, the institutional role of FFT clubs and the importance of the territorial network provided by complementary structures.

1. FFT Clubs: the leading force in the market… but not the majority of slopes

FFT clubs represent:

  • 717 clubsi.e 54,4% from all places of practice
  • 1 tracksi.e 40,6% national tracks

Analysis

Although they constitute the majority of placesFFT clubs do not control the majority of the courts.
On average, an FFT club has:

1650 / 717 = 2,3 tracks per club

This confirms that most FFT clubs offer between 1 and 3 courts and that padel is mainly integrated as complementary activity tennis.

2. Private clubs: fewer in number but more powerful in terms of capacity

private clubs include:

  • 460 clubsi.e 34,8% of the total
  • 2 tracksi.e 52,9% French tracks

Analysis

Even if they represent a third of the placesprivate clubs own more than half of the available tracks.
The average ratio is:

2149 / 460 = 4,67 lanes per center

Is twice as many as FFT clubs.

Private companies are therefore the main capacity engineessential to absorb the increase in practitioners.

A closer look at the three subcategories of private clubs

1) Indoor & rackets

  • 246 clubs
  • 1 tracks
  • Ratio: 5,5 lanes per club

It is the dominant model of the private sector, focused on specialized complexes.

2) Multi-sports centers

  • 115 clubs
  • 437 tracks
  • Ratio: 3,8 lanes per club

Often attached to fitness centers or leisure complexes.

3) Outdoor and self-contained

  • 99 clubs
  • 352 tracks
  • Ratio: 3,55 lanes per club

This segment is often located outside urban areas, with a more flexible business model.

Internal distribution within the private sector

  • Indoor & snowshoeing: 53,4% private clubs / 63,3% private tracks
  • Multisports: 25% clubs / 20,3% tracks
  • Outdoor: 21,5% clubs / 16,4% tracks

Indoor complexes clearly dominate, which confirms the professionalization of the market.

3. Other structures: a minority share but useful for territorial networking

The category "Others" includes:

  • 143 practice locations (10,8% (of the total)
  • 267 tracks (6,6% of the total park)

These are often municipal, military, associative or general leisure structures.

The ratio is low:

267 / 143 = 1,86 tracks per location

These structures play a role inland-use planning, often in areas where FFT or private clubs are not established.

4. Overall Market Overview

Type of structureShare of the clubsPart of the slopesTrack/club ratio
FFT Clubs54,4%40,6%2,3
Private Clubs34,8%52,9%4,67
Other experience10,8%6,6%1,86

Key trends

  • private account for the bulk of the capacity (+12,3 points difference between their share of clubs and their share of tracks).
  • FFT clubsWhile the majority in number, they have a more limited capacity but a strong institutional role (tournaments, training, FFT).
  • autonomous structures they provide a local network, especially in rural areas.

Conclusion: a bimodal market

The padel offering in France is based on a model with two engines :

  1. FFT clubs, very numerous, integrated into tennis clubs, which spread the practice.
  2. Private clubs, fewer in number but with much greater capacity, which absorb market growth and drive supply upwards.

With 4 tracksincluding more than half in the private sectorFrance is establishing itself permanently among the countries where padel benefits from a strong structure and rapid development, supported by significant investments.

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.

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