It’s the subject of much speculation in clubs. With the media explosion of the Premier Padel circuit and the arrival of Qatari funds (QSI), padel has entered another financial dimension. We are far from the time when players had to give lessons between two tournaments to pay for their plane tickets.
However, comparing padel salaries to those in football or even ATP tennis remains perilous. While stars like Arturo Coello or Agustín Tapia show comfortable incomes, the reality is quite different for the rest of the Top 100.
An analysis of the real incomes of the gladiators of the court.
1. Prize Money: The Visible Part of the Iceberg
Since the circuit unification in 2024, tournament earnings have made a spectacular leap. A player who wins a Major (the 4 most important tournaments) receives approximately €50,000 in prize money.
- The World Top 5: A dominant season (like Coello/Tapia’s) can bring in between €300,000 and €500,000 solely in performance bonuses.
- The Top 50: For a player ranked between 30th and 50th place, tournament revenues drop drastically, ranging from €40,000 to €70,000 per year, which barely covers massive travel expenses.
2. Sponsorship: The Real Jackpot for Stars
This is where the difference between a good player and a superstar lies. For headliners, Prize Money often represents only 20 to 30% of their total income.
- Equipment Manufacturers (Pala, apparel, shoes): Brands like Nox (Tapia), Head (Coello), or Babolat (Lebrón) sign contracts worth several hundred thousand euros per year. Some contracts include “royalty” clauses on signature racket sales.
- “Extra-padel” Sponsors: Red Bull, Cupra, and major banks or airlines are vying for players’ images. It is estimated that the world’s best players now exceed one million euros annually thanks to these advertising contracts.
3. The “Hidden” Incomes: Exhibitions and Academies
Stars are not content with official tournaments alone. Their incomes are supplemented by:
- Exhibition Matches: In Saudi Arabia, the USA, or Sweden, a star can earn between €10,000 and €25,000 for a single evening appearance.
- “Booking”: Private clinics or corporate events where wealthy amateurs pay to play a set with their idol.
4. Expenses: The Flip Side of the Coin
It should not be forgotten that a padel player is a self-employed individual. Their gross income is reduced by colossal expenses:
- Staff: Head coach, physical trainer, physiotherapist, nutritionist, and sometimes a sports psychologist.
- Travel: Long-haul flights and hotels for a team of 2 to 4 people across 25 stages per year.
- Taxation: Players are heavily taxed according to their country of residence (often Spain).
Estimated Annual Income (World Top 3)
| Income Source | Estimate (Gross) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prize Money | €350,000 – €450,000 | Earnings from tournament results |
| Racket / Apparel Sponsorship | €400,000 – €600,000 | Main equipment supplier contracts |
| Advertising Sponsors | €200,000 – €400,000 | Non-padel partnerships |
| Exhibitions / Bonuses | €100,000 – €200,000 | Private events and exhibitions |
| ESTIMATED TOTAL | €1,050,000 – €1,650,000 | Before expenses and taxes |
Conclusion: A Sport That Is Professionalizing
While the top figures are dream-worthy, padel remains a sport where financial balance is precarious beyond the 60th world ranking. The professionalization of the women’s circuit follows the same curve, although prize money is still slightly lower than for men, the gap is narrowing each year.
In 2026, with the arrival of new American investors, it is highly probable that the first “5 million euro contract” will not be far off.
Do you think these salaries are deserved given the intensity of the circuit, or do you think padel is still “underpaid” compared to tennis?
