Padel continues expanding across the United States, particularly in Florida, which is currently considered one of the leading growth hubs for the sport in the country. A recent publication by Axios highlights how new facilities and projects are continuing to emerge across the Tampa Bay area, reinforcing the growth of the American padel market.
The article explains how cities such as Tampa and St. Petersburg are adding new padel courts and clubs following the strong development first seen in Miami, one of the main driving forces behind the sport’s expansion in North America.
Invented in Mexico in 1969, padel is currently played by more than 35 million people worldwide, with particularly established markets in countries such as Spain, Italy and Argentina. In the United States, although the sport is still in an early stage of development, its growth has accelerated significantly in recent years.
According to data referenced by Axios and the International Padel Federation (FIP), the United States has grown from approximately 230 courts and 90,000 players in 2023 to more than 1,000 courts and one million players in recent months.
The report also reviews several projects driving this expansion in Florida. One of the earliest major developments in Tampa Bay came in 2023 with the arrival of the Pro Padel League at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills, a venue that had already invested in padel since opening in 2020 with four dedicated courts.
In addition, several private operators continue investing in new facilities. Social club The Stovall House opened two padel courts last year within its members-only sports area, while St. Pete Athletic has recently added its first courts as part of a more than 20,000-square-foot expansion of its facilities.
At the same time, new projects are still under development across the region, including Flapjack Social, a venue that will combine pickleball and padel facilities in Carrollwood.
The publication also highlights some of the challenges associated with the growth of padel in the United States, particularly when compared to other racquet sports. These include the higher installation costs of padel courts and a development model that, so far, has been primarily driven by private clubs and premium facilities.
Despite these challenges, the market continues to show a clearly positive trend, especially in states such as Florida, where the growth of new facilities and operators reflects the increasing interest in padel within the American sports and social ecosystem.
News article based on a publication originally released by Axios.
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