Padel passes 40 million players worldwide, FIP World Padel Report 2026 says

Padel, the racket sport played in a small walled court, now has more than 40 million active players worldwide, according to the World Padel Report 2026 published in October 2026 by the International Padel Federation (FIP). The report counts 91,234 padel courts across 191 countries and territories and about 28,497 clubs, and says the number of courts is growing by more than 20% a year. For the first time, it also includes an economic study, prepared with the consultancy OpenEconomics, which estimates that padel generates about 8.6 billion euros in GDP and supports more than 235,000 jobs.

Padel is a racket sport usually played in doubles on a small enclosed court, where the ball can be played off the walls. Rallies tend to be long and the rules are simple, so beginners can pick it up quickly. That low barrier is a big part of why the sport has spread so quickly among young working people and friends' groups looking for something more social than the gym.

For young readers thinking about fitness, the appeal is practical. A doubles game needs four people, a court booking and rackets, and the social format turns exercise into a way to meet people, which suits those fitting fitness around study or work.

The two sets of numbers in the market show that measuring a fast-growing sport is not simple. The FIP counts active players through its member federations, while Playtomic builds its estimate from court and booking data. The FIP figure is more than twice as large. Both agree on the direction: more courts, more clubs and more players every year. One trade report on the market has also warned that some countries now face too many courts for their demand, a sign that the boom may be uneven.

India is part of the wider trend, though the FIP's headline summary does not give an Indian figure. A separate Padel Global Search Report found that search interest in padel in India rose by 128% over the last 12 months, suggesting curiosity is growing even where courts are still few.

Short-term: More courts mean easier access and more competition between clubs on price, which can make the sport cheaper to try. Businesses will keep opening courts in cities where demand is rising.

Long-term: If growth continues, padel could become a mainstream recreational sport in more countries, with jobs for coaches, court builders and club staff. Where too many courts are built too quickly, some clubs may struggle.

Who is affected: Young professionals and students looking for social fitness, sports entrepreneurs and club owners, coaches, and city planners deciding how to use space for recreation.

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