LTA Padel Update - Highlights

Today the LTA provided an update which highlights the huge growth in padel across the UK and the excitement for the further growth in 2022. We are excited to be a big part of the growth of padel next year. Here are some of the key points from the latest update.

• There are now close to 150 padel courts in the UK, which represents growth of around 50% this year
• It is expected that courts will grow by a further 100 in 2022
• There are now 89,000 active padel players in the UK, with at least 15,000 playing every week
• Padel coaching qualifications will be launched in 2022

Tom Murray of LTA Padel said,

"Given the stage of development we are at in this country versus padel on the continent, participation numbers are healthy, but are also reflective of the number of courts available."

This reference to Europe is very relevant, as we have already seen where the number of courts can lead to huge growth in participation. In Sweden for example where there are now well over 2000 courts, there are over 500,000 regular padel players! It is clear that where there are padel courts, this will lead to participation.

Referencing the huge growth in Europe, Tom Murray also added,

"The demand for courts, in 2021 and moving into 2022, is huge, which is the main driver of growing participation in padel."

It is exciting to see that demand is now leading to a huge growth in participation and the LTA recognise that independent padel operators will play a key part in that growth.

Kris Ball, CEO of The Padel Club UK stated,

"We have had a challenging year in 2021, as many companies have, but we are now very excited to be entering the padel market at a time of huge growth. Our plans for 2022 are certainly very ambitious and we plan to open at least 3 of our pipeline locations during 2022."

You can subscribe for The Padel Club updates here.

The LTA Padel Development Plan can be found here.

You can find the full article from Tom Murray here.