Key Takeaways
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UK padel grew from 69 courts to over 1,500 courts in just a few years
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Nearly one million players now practice padel across the country
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The Premier Padel London P1 at Olympia confirmed the sport’s breakthrough
The numbers behind the boom
Padel in the UK has experienced unprecedented growth. When the LTA first took charge, there were only 69 courts nationwide. By the end of 2025, the number had risen to 1,553 courts in 559 clubs, while players doubled from 400,000 to 860,000 in a single year. In 2026, participation surpassed one million. Searches for padel in the UK increased by 121% between 2024 and 2025, the fastest rise in Europe.
Olympia as the stage
The Premier Padel London P1, held from August 4–9, marked the sport’s professional debut in the UK. Olympia in Kensington, a historic venue reopened after a £1.3 billion renovation, hosted the event with a 4,000-seat center court. Tickets for the main days sold out quickly, underlining the enthusiasm of British fans.
Christian Medina Murphy and local stars
The UK entered 11 players with wildcards, led by Christian Medina Murphy, the country’s number one. He thrilled the crowd with a 6-2, 6-2 victory in his opening match before bowing out in the second round. “I’m very happy to win our first match here,” said the 27-year-old after his debut. In the women’s draw, Aimee Gibson and Catherine Rose represented the best British hopes, returning as a pair after injury.
Why London matters
International Padel Federation president Luigi Carraro explained the choice of venue: “A sport that succeeds in London makes itself noticed worldwide.” He emphasized that while padel’s roots are in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico, the UK is now “starting its journey,” with clubs opening daily and courts busy from morning to night.
A global expansion
The British case fits into a wider trend. By the end of 2025, there were more than 58,000 padel courts worldwide, with projections of 68,000 by the end of 2026. Premier Padel now spans 18 countries and broadcasts in 244 territories. Among these, the UK stands out for its speed of growth.
From just 69 courts to a sold-out tournament at Olympia, the London P1 symbolized padel’s transformation in Britain—from a promise into a reality, with momentum suggesting this is only the beginning.
