Padel continues to establish itself as one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, evolving from its origins in 1969 -when it was created by Enrique Corcuera in Acapulco- into a rapidly expanding global industry.
In this context, the Padel World Summit 2026, to be held in Barcelona, is positioned as the leading international meeting point to analyse the opportunities and challenges of a sector that is already reaching significant economic scale.
A sport with global reach
According to the World Padel Report 2025 by the International Padel Federation, padel has already reached:
These figures highlight the consolidation of padel as a sport with a strong and growing global base.
A rapidly expanding industry
Beyond sport, padel has become a developing global industry.
The Global Padel Report estimates the sector’s value at around €2 billion, with projections to reach €6 billion by 2026, driven by:
Spain, a leading market
Spain remains the global benchmark, with a market value close to €900 million.
The country currently has:
Following Spain, markets such as Italy, Argentina and the United States are gaining relevance, while regions like the Middle East and Latin America -particularly Mexico and Brazil- show strong growth potential.
A diverse business ecosystem
Padel’s growth extends beyond participation, encompassing a diversified business ecosystem, including:
This environment is attracting new stakeholders and accelerating the sector’s professionalisation.
Professionalisation and industry maturity
According to Álex Ponseti, Director of the Padel World Summit: “Padel is no longer a trend; it has become a structured industry with professional stakeholders at every level.”
He also highlights that the sector’s growth is closely linked to professionalisation, driven by:
These factors are enabling padel to compete in audience terms with more established sports.
Padel World Summit: a global meeting point
In this context, the Padel World Summit in Barcelona is positioned as the leading global meeting point for the industry.
The event will bring together:
Establishing itself as a strategic platform for business, partnerships and innovation.
Towards global consolidation
Beyond the figures, padel’s growth reflects its evolution into a global sporting, economic and cultural phenomenon.
The continued development of the sector, together with initiatives such as the Padel World Summit, confirms that padel is entering a phase of maturity in which structure, investment and professionalisation will be key to its future.
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