Global Padel Report 2026: Why the US Is Padel’s “Diamond in the Rough”
October 20, 2026 · 3 min read
The 2026 Playtomic Global Padel Report, prepared with Strategy&, PwC’s strategy consulting arm, puts the United States among the markets with the most long-term upside.
The world in numbers
- Courts worldwide58,300
- Clubs worldwideMore than 20,900
- Players19.4 million
- New courts in 20257,898, about 22 per day
The US in 2025
- New clubs250
- New courts330
- Report label“Diamond in the Rough”
The report sorts countries into five types of market. The US sits in the “Diamond in the Rough” group: a market in its early innings, with high potential still ahead.
Where the growth is
Most US growth is in Florida, Texas, California and a few East Coast cities. Padel here is positioned as a premium, social and wellness-driven sport, close to hospitality and private clubs.
Pickleball opens the door
The report sees pickleball as a gateway, not a rival. It gets Americans used to social racquet sports, and many of those players move on to padel.
A word of caution
In mature markets the report warns about overbuilding. The focus is moving to court use, premium club models and efficient operations. In the US, the opportunity is still in building the right courts in the right places.
Planning a padel project in the United States?