Padel emerges as a global transformation driver in racquet sports, according to SGI

• April 21, 2026

The publication Sporting Goods Intelligence has released its latest State of Play 2026 report, confirming a structural transformation in the global racquet sports market, with padel playing a central role.

Sustained growth and international expansion

The report highlights the scale of the phenomenon:

• More than 35 million padel players worldwide
• Annual infrastructure growth exceeding 15%
• Europe still accounts for over 60% of the ecosystem, while markets such as the United States, the Middle East and Asia are rapidly expanding

A shift in the industry model

Beyond growth figures, the report emphasizes a deeper shift: racquet sports are no longer evolving independently, but as part of an interconnected system.

In this context, padel is emerging as a key driver of transformation, shaping several core aspects of the industry:

• New club models, combining pay-to-play and membership approaches
• Acceleration of digitalization, with platforms such as Playtomic
• A redefinition of facility profitability models

Convergence and future positioning

The report also identifies a major trend for the coming years: the convergence between tennis, padel and pickleball, both in terms of infrastructure and user profiles.

In this evolving landscape, for brands, investors and operators, the key question is no longer which sport will grow the most, but how to position within a hybrid ecosystem undergoing rapid transformation.