The growth of padel in France is now visible both in clubs and in the numbers. According to the French Tennis Federation, 850,000 people were playing padel in France in November 2025, including 272,000 registered players.
In Bordeaux, alongside the Betclic Bordeaux Premier Padel, this rise is taking a very concrete form: recreational players stringing together matches, full clubs and growing interest in the professional circuit.
A leisure activity turned regular practice
Its success rests on a simple promise: quick accessibility, long rallies and a strong social dimension. For former tennis players as well as complete beginners, padel offers a more immediate route into the enjoyment of the game.
The FFT reports a 130% increase in the number of registered players compared with 2022. The number of competitors has also surged, showing that the sport is no longer limited to occasional leisure play. Padel is now building its own rankings, training routines and sporting goals.
Bordeaux as a showcase for a wider movement
The Betclic Bordeaux Premier Padel, held from June 28 to July 5, 2026, at the Mériadeck ice rink, gives this momentum a major showcase. Seeing the world’s best players compete in France helps turn a club-based activity into a recognisable sporting culture.
The challenge now lies in balancing demand and infrastructure. With around 4,000 courts recorded in 2025, France is moving quickly, but growth also requires more coaches, more available playing slots and venues capable of welcoming both recreational players and competitors.
