Born on a cramped court in Acapulco, padel blends tennis finesse with squash pace and has rocketed into one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Its journey from improvised pastime to arena-filling spectacle shows how a simple idea can reshape global recreation.
Padel History Timeline
Firstly, here is a brief chronology of padel to understand the major steps in the construction of this sport.
- 1969 — Birth in Acapulco
Enrique Corcuera created the first enclosed court with a perforated racket and adapted rules. - 1970s — Arrival in Spain
Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe brings padel to Marbella, attracting Spain’s elite. - 1980s — South American Boom
Argentina becomes a hub, first international tournaments held in Uruguay, stars like Roby Gattiker emerge. - 1990s–2000s — Concentrated Growth
~30,000 courts worldwide; 85% in Spain and Argentina. - 2010s–2020s — Global Expansion
70,000+ courts in 23,000 clubs; rapid growth in Italy (~9,700 courts), Sweden (~5,000), USA (650–800), France (100k licensees). - 2022–2024 — Media & Digital Rise
Major tournaments draw tens of thousands; global broadcast deals; apps like Playtomic boost club performance. - 2023 — Pro Circuit Growth
Top players earn €100k–€300k; stars Tapia & Coello fuel popularity. - 2024 — Record Growth
7,187 new courts (+17%); 3,282 new clubs (+26%); projection: 81,000+ courts by 2027. - Future — Olympic Ambitions
Expanding in emerging markets; Brisbane 2032 Olympic inclusion under discussion.
Origin of padel
In 1969, a lack of space to build a full-size tennis court at Ponto Promenade in Acapulco, in Mexico, led Enrique Corcuera to develop the smaller version as we know it today, with walls and a perforated solid racket replacing static strings. In Acapulco he came up with regulations which would fit the enclosed environment to establish the basics of padel.
Expansion of padel
After its birth in Mexico, padel experienced a decisive turning point in the 1970s thanks to Alfonso de Hohenlohe. Captivated by this new sport, he imported it to Spain by building the first courts in Marbella. Padel quickly caught on among Spanish high society, thanks to its fun and friendly nature. Its success then spread to Argentina, where it became hugely popular in the 1980s. The first international tournaments appeared in Uruguay during the same period, signaling the sport’s global ambitions.
One of the earliest and most iconic players of the time was Roby Gattiker, a Swiss-Argentinian who dominated the international scene in the 1990s and helped shape the sport’s early professional image. His influence paved the way for the formalization of competitive padel and the emergence of a global circuit.
The current influence
From its strong current influence, padel has surged into a phase of impressive growth.
Impressive growth and media influence
Today, padel is a global phenomenon, driven by spectacular growth both in terms of sport and economics. There are now over 50,000 active courts, with 7,187 new courts and 3,282 new clubs created in 2024 alone, representing growth rates of 17 percent and 26 percent respectively. Projections estimate that the global court total will surpass 81,000 by 2027.
This success can be explained by the accessible, fun and friendly nature of padel, but also by its growing media coverage. Tournaments now attract tens of thousands of spectators, such as the Hexagon Cup in Madrid, which drew 30,000 fans. Television broadcasts and streaming platforms increasingly cover events, making padel more visible and appealing to mainstream audiences.
Digitalization
Digitalization also plays a key role: clubs using platforms like Playtomic perform 3 to 5 times better, and 92 percent of new players return after their first session testament to padel’s addictive nature and the power of tech-enabled retention. As for the professional players, the financial stakes are steadily rising. While salaries are still modest compared to sports like tennis or football, top-ranked padel professionals now earn between €100,000 and €300,000 per year, depending on sponsorships, winnings, and endorsements. Average pro players earn around €25,000 to €50,000 annually, though this varies widely by ranking and geography.
A sport shaped by media and icons
Broadcasts have increased significantly. Padel matches are now regularly shown on platforms such as Red Bull TV, YouTube, and DAZN, with professional circuits like Premier Padel and the World Padel Tour offering livestreams and on-demand coverage. Several national broadcasters in Europe, including Canal+ in France and Sky Sports in Italy, have also secured rights to key tournaments, expanding visibility to a broader audience.
In terms of sports marketing, padel attracts major brands, celebrities, and hybrid events that mix competition and entertainment. The sport’s growth is now backed by investments from figures in football, tennis, and business, while countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, India, and Indonesia fuel its expansion across new regions. Even Olympic inclusion by Brisbane 2032 is under serious discussion, adding legitimacy and long-term vision to its trajectory.
Finally, this popularity is also driven by major figures such as Agustín Tapia and Arturo Coello, the dominant duo on the professional circuit. Their spectacular play, complementary skills and media presence reinforce the appeal of padel and contribute to its global growth. They embody a new era in sport, where performance goes hand in hand with visibility and influence.
Conclusion
Padel, born from an impromptu initiative in Mexico, has become a global sport in just a few decades, combining leisure and high-level competition. Its popularity makes it much more than just a trend: it is a discipline undergoing rapid transformation, driven by iconic figures and integrated into increasingly diverse contexts.
Sources : FFT
