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Daniel Rogoff
Feb 133 min read

Padel: Enduring Sport or Passing Fad?


The Origins of Padel

Padel, a racquet sport, originated in South America.

 

Padel has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity throughout Europe over the past decade. This rise can be attributed to various factors that have facilitated its expansion and entrenched its appeal in the region.

 

Factors affecting its popularity

One pivotal factor propelling the growth of Padel in Europe is its accessibility.

 

Unlike other physically demanding racquet sports like tennis and squash, Padel can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and skill levels. Its smaller court dimensions – 20 x 10 meters – and typical four-player format make it more approachable for beginners while still offering challenges to seasoned players.

 

Who typically plays Padel

This accessibility has led to increased participation among both young and older demographics, resulting in the emergence of Padel clubs in urban and rural areas across Europe.

 

Spain boasts over 14,000 courts, Italy has seen a surge from approximately 1,000 courts four years ago to over 5,000 presently, and although the UK lags behind, its court numbers have tripled since 2020 to over 300.

 

Investment in Padel

Investment has played a crucial role in bolstering Padel infrastructure across Europe.

 

From establishing new Padel facilities to revamping existing tennis clubs to accommodate the growing demand for the sport, significant capital has been infused into creating conducive environments for Padel's growth.

 

Companies like Game4Padel in the UK and Padel Hero in Italy, along with retail and institutional investors, are actively supporting the sport's expansion continent-wide.

 

Professional Padel

Moreover, investment has facilitated the professionalisation of Padel, evident in major tournaments such as the World Padel Tour and the Hexagon Cup, both held in Spain. These events have spawned franchise teams, sponsorship agreements, and media coverage, including streaming on ITVX.

 

Limitations to the Padel Craze?

However, the question arises: at what point does the sport's growth become unsustainable?

 

The Padel "Craze" has swept through the Nordic region since 2015, with Sweden's court numbers ballooning from under 20 in 2014 to over 4,000.


Yet, this rapid growth has led to intensified competition, price undercutting, and mounting maintenance costs, resulting in over 75 Padel-related entities filing for bankruptcy in 2023 and numerous facilities in Sweden being repurposed as warehouses or commercial spaces.

 

The Future of Padel

Overall, the future of Padel in Europe appears promising.

 

In the UK, particularly, with increased support from investors, governing bodies like the Lawn Tennis Association, and sponsorship deals, Padel is poised to further cement its popularity as one of the continent's favoured sports.


Nevertheless, caution is warranted, as seen in the Nordic region's Padel "bubble" burst, emphasizing the need for prudent investment strategies amidst the fervour surrounding the sport's initial uptake and public interest.

  

 

What next?

If you want to know more, contact us here: http://pleamar30holidayrental.com/contact

When on holiday at The Luxury Villa at Pleamar 30, the nearest Padel courts are a 10-minute walk away at the El Capitan Sports Center, where you will find top Padel coaches from Sweden, who offer Padel coaching and training sessions.  

 

 

Read more blogs from The Luxury Villa at Pleamar 30 here

 

If you fancy playing golf whilst your other half is spending time in the sun, read more here.

A great place for multi-generations who would love to travel together - holiday in the sun with grandma and grandpa.

 

 

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