Why Padel has Become so Popular in the UK

In this article, we explore why padel tennis is becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports. From impressive statistics and celebrity support to its social nature and accessibility, we look at the key reasons behind the sport’s unstoppable rise—and what it means for players across the country.

Fast Facts: Padel’s UK Growth

Padel’s popularity has exploded in recent years:

• Over 400,000 adults and juniors in Great Britain played padel at least once in the last year, up from 129,000 in 2023 and just 15,000 in 2019 (source).
• The number of courts has surged to 893 across 300 venues in 2025 (source).
• According to Sport England, players who hit the court twice a month rose from 23,000 to 51,000 in just a year (source).
  

Whether you’ve been playing for years or just picked up a racket, it’s hard to ignore padel’s upward swing.

LTA’s National Plan for Padel

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) launched its “Padel Opened Up” strategy to support padel’s continued growth in the UK. Their 2024–2029 action plan includes ambitious targets:

• Doubling awareness from 20% to 40%.
• Tripling courts to 1,000 nationwide.
• Expanding the coaching workforce from 40 to 700 qualified coaches.
• Supporting British players into the top 100 of the world rankings.

The LTA has already invested over £6 million into new courts, with funding for 80 courts across 42 sites—a clear signal of long-term commitment (source).

Why People Are Falling in Love With Padel

It’s Easy to Pick Up

Padel is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require a strong serve or power game. Played in doubles on an enclosed court, the underarm serve and long rallies make it accessible to all skill levels. Mixed-age and mixed-ability games are common, which is why so many families and friendship groups are giving it a go.

It’s Social and Fun

Unlike some racquet sports, padel has a real social buzz. Many clubs play music between matches, and off-court socialising is a huge part of the experience. You’ll often see players in groups relaxing after a game—making it as much about connection as competition.

Celebrities and Cultural Appeal

A number of high-profile names, including David Beckham, Andy Murray, Pippa Middleton, and Stormzy. This visibility has helped fuel interest from newcomers curious to try the sport themselves.

Pandemic Influence

During COVID-19 lockdowns, outdoor sports became essential for safe social interaction. Padel’s court layout and format made it one of the few viable group activities at the time—and its popularity has only grown since.

A Growing Number of Courts

From community leisure centres to exclusive clubs, padel courts are popping up everywhere. London, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds are all seeing new venues launch, with operators like Surge, Padel4All, and Game4Padel leading the way.

Even traditional tennis clubs are adding padel courts—often because three padel courts can fit in the space of one tennis court, offering better use of space and higher booking capacity.

Our team have been hard at work (or so they claim), testing out as many padel venues as they can. You can check out their favourite courts in London and top picks in the North for inspiration on where to play next.

What to Wear on Court

Like tennis, padel is active, fast-paced and requires clothing that moves with you and keeps you cool. Unlike tennis, the style is more relaxed, with a growing number of players leaning into versatile, functional pieces they can wear before and after a match.

There’s no strict dress code in padel, but comfort, flexibility and sweat-wicking fabrics go a long way to keeping your game sharp.

The Sound of Success (and a Bit of Controversy)

The game’s rise hasn’t come without a few bumps. In some residential areas, padel’s distinctive “pop-pop” sound has led to planning disputes. Complaints have been reported in areas like Bath, Weybridge and Sutton Coldfield. Still, most local councils are working to balance demand with regulation, and clubs are finding ways to reduce noise levels.

Final Thoughts

Padel has hit the sweet spot in UK sport: fun, social, active and inclusive. It’s no wonder more people are picking up a racket every week. Whether you’re a seasoned player or curious beginner, now is the perfect time to get involved.

As Amy from Pokita Padel puts it:

“It’s a lot of fun and as it’s always doubles play, it’s very sociable. Any age can play it and it’s a lot easier to get to grips with than say tennis. You improve and learn more each time you play (even two years in), which just makes it highly addictive!”

And if you’re looking for performance-ready activewear that looks as good as it plays? We’ve got you covered—on and off the court.