Padel is not just another new sport—it’s become a true phenomenon that has swept into the lives of Europeans and Latin Americans in recent years. In 2023, the global padel tennis market was valued at $342 million, and by 2032, experts predict it will grow to $508 million. This explosive interest is due not only to the simplicity of its rules but also to the unique atmosphere the sport creates. In Argentina, padel has long been part of the national culture, while in Europe, its popularity continues to surge every month.
Today, padel is an integral part of the sports scene in Spain, France, and Italy. Argentina boasts around 20,000 dedicated courts and about 4 million players. Europe is experiencing a real boom: new courts are being built, clubs are opening, and social media is flooded with videos of matches and training sessions. Indoor courts are especially in demand, allowing people to play padel year-round, regardless of the weather.
What is padel
Padel is a team sport that combines elements of tennis, squash, and table tennis. It’s played on a 20-by-10-meter court surrounded by glass walls up to four meters high. Players use special stringless rackets made from composite materials with perforations, making them lightweight and easy to maneuver. The ball is a standard tennis ball, but due to the court design and equipment, the game has a distinctive character of its own.
Padel is played only in pairs—singles matches are not possible. This gives the game a special dynamic and requires not only physical fitness but also teamwork from participants. The ball can bounce off the glass walls, adding tactical depth and making the matches more spectacular. The scoring system is similar to tennis, and matches are usually played best of three or five sets.
Истоки и развитие
The history of padel began in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, when entrepreneur Enrique Corcuera decided to build a compact tennis court for his wife Vivian, a former ‘Miss Argentina,’ on their property. The limited space forced him to reduce the size of the court and abandon traditional stringed rackets. Instead, wooden rackets resembling paddles were used—hence the name ‘paddle’ in English.
At first, padel was a pastime for a small circle of Mexico’s elite. However, family friend Alfonso de Hohenlohe from Spain built the first European courts in Marbella in 1974. After Spain’s King Juan Carlos and tennis star Manolo Santana learned about padel, the game quickly spread across Spain, Argentina, and the rest of the world.
Accessibility and excitement
One of the main advantages of padel is how easy it is to pick up. Beginners need just half an hour to grasp the basic rules and start enjoying the game. Success depends less on the power of your shot and more on strategy and teamwork. Padel is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, while the cost of lessons and equipment is much lower than in traditional tennis.
Playing padel is a great way to make new friends and become part of an active community. The team format encourages interaction, and the fast pace of matches keeps both players and spectators engaged. It’s no surprise that padel is growing in popularity among both young people and adults, with more clubs and tournaments springing up every year.
A global trend
Europe is now the leader in padel’s rapid growth. In Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal, hundreds of new courts are built every year. Argentina continues to hold its position as one of padel’s powerhouses, where the sport has long been a mass phenomenon. New stars are emerging on social media, and international tournaments are drawing thousands of fans.
Experts are confident: in the coming years, padel will continue to gain momentum and its audience will only expand. More and more people are discovering this thrilling sport, which unites generations and breaks down barriers between countries.
If you didn’t know, Zion Market Research is one of the world’s leading players in marketing research. The company specializes in analyzing global markets, identifying trends, and forecasting the development of various industries, including sports and entertainment. Thanks to their analytics, businesses and investors have access to up-to-date information for making strategic decisions.
