Padel has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity across the United Kingdom, with nearly one million people playing the sport last year. According to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), 860,000 Britons played padel at least once in 2025, more than double the 400,000 recorded in 2024 and a significant increase from 129,000 in 2023.
The LTA attributes this rapid growth to padel's accessibility, the expansion of courts, and its endorsement by high-profile figures. Celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Lily James, and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with tennis star Andy Murray and rapper Stormzy, have become vocal advocates. Murray, in particular, has been a prominent supporter of the sport, which combines rules from tennis and squash but is easier to learn due to underarm serves and a smaller court.
Tom Murray, the LTA's head of padel, said: 'The growth of padel, both in Britain and globally, is undeniable, with participation rising at an exponential rate. It's a fun, fast-paced and accessible sport that is attracting new players every day. From high-profile figures in entertainment and sport... padel's visibility continues to increase, inspiring more people to pick up a racket.'
The number of padel courts in the UK has grown to 1,553 across 559 venues by the end of 2025, up from 870 courts at 293 venues in 2024. When the LTA took over governance in 2020, there were just 69 courts. However, expansion has faced occasional opposition, such as a rejected bid for new courts in York due to noise concerns described as the 'gunshot sound of the padel racket.'
Despite such pushback, padel's momentum continues. In August, London will host the Premier Padel Tour for the first time. The International Padel Federation also announced that padel will be a medal event at next year's European Games in Istanbul, a step towards Olympic inclusion. The LTA notes that the average off-peak court booking costs about £7 per person per hour for a group of four.
