The FIP World Padel Report 2025 has just been released, and its figures confirm an unequivocal reality: padel is now a global sporting phenomenon. With over 35 million players recorded worldwide (at least weekly practice according to the FIP), the discipline far exceeds the stage of a mere trend. This mass adoption, coupled with explosive infrastructure growth, opens a new era of structuring consequences for the future of the sport.
Key Figures of a Spectacular Expansion
The report from the International Padel Federation (FIP) presents an impressive statistical overview that illustrates a global dynamic.
- A massive player base: practice is mainly concentrated in Europe (just over 61%), followed by South America (19%). Central and North America account for around 7.7%, Asia 6.8%, and Africa exceeds 4.9%.
- An explosion of infrastructure: the global network now exceeds 77,300 courts and 24,627 clubs, established in 150 nations and 20 dependent territories, with double-digit annual growth.
- Accelerated competitive structuring: the professional landscape revolves around Premier Padel and FIP circuits, with a clear increase in official competitions (from 182 tournaments in 2024 to 290 tournaments in 2025 according to the FIP).
What These Figures Change for the Ecosystem
This critical mass of players and infrastructure leads to profound transformations: the padel economy is expanding, competition is becoming international, and governance must keep pace.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Geographical Expansion | Growth extends beyond traditional strongholds. Some areas show spectacular acceleration, particularly in Asia (marked increase in court numbers) and Africa (strong growth in club numbers). |
| Professionalization | The densification of the calendar and the increase in the volume of official tournaments enhance the clarity of career paths, from “stepping stone” level to elite, and solidify the economic attractiveness of high-level play. |
| Economic Impact | Clubs, equipment, jobs, media rights, and sponsorship: the sector is taking on an industrial dimension. The FIP also highlights a massive leap in digital audience on its official platforms. |
| Governance Challenges | The standardization of rules, training, and amateur competitions becomes crucial. The FIP reached the milestone of 100 member federations by the end of 2025, a sign of a sport that must structure itself everywhere, and quickly. |
FIP Beyond: The Next Step (Amateurs) from 2026
The report is part of a broader sequence: the FIP has confirmed the creation of FIP Beyond, a new global circuit dedicated to amateur players. Stated objective: to offer a structured competitive experience, with multiple tournament levels, a ranking, and finals, in order to oversee a now massive practice.
Key takeaways
- The FIP 2025 report estimates global participation at over 35 million players (at least once a week).
- The global network reaches 77,300 courts and 24,627 clubs, distributed across 150 nations.
- The number of official FIP tournaments is growing strongly, with 290 tournaments in 2025 (compared to 182 in 2024).
- The FIP is promoting amateur structuring with the launch of FIP Beyond starting in 2026.
In summary, the milestone of 35 million players is not just a statistical record. It marks padel’s coming of age, with enormous opportunities but also a responsibility: to grow without losing quality (infrastructure, supervision, competition, safety). The next battle is no longer just about building, but about building sustainably and intelligently.
Sources and Official Links: FIP (World Padel Report 2025 Publication Statement) | FIP (World Padel Report 2025 Page) | FIP (FIP Beyond Official Announcement)
