Padel vs. Pickleball: A Rivalry or a Rising Tide for Racket Sports?

For years, pickleball has dominated headlines as the fastest-growing sport in America.

With its low barrier to entry, social appeal, and accessibility, it has expanded at a rapid pace. But there’s a new challenger on the court—padel—and it’s reportedly growing even faster worldwide.

So, is padel a threat to pickleball? Or could these two booming racket sports thrive alongside each other?

Let’s break it down.

Padel’s Explosive Growth

Padel has seen unprecedented global expansion, particularly in Europe and Latin America. But its presence in the United States is growing rapidly as well:

Global Padel Boom

• There are now 30 million padel players worldwide, with 60,000 courts across 130 countries as of early 2025.
• The padel sports market, valued at $225 million in 2024, is projected to more than double to $493 million by 2032 (CAGR of 10.3%).
• Spain leads with 5.5 million padel players, while Italy will reach 10,000 courts by 2025.

Padel’s Expansion in the U.S.

• The number of padel clubs and courts in the U.S. doubled from 2023 to 2024, now totaling over 70 clubs and 400 courts.
• By 2029, the number of padel courts in the U.S. could grow to 15,000, signaling massive investment in infrastructure.
• Major U.S. cities are embracing padel, with new clubs opening in California, Florida, Texas, and New York.

The growth is undeniable.

But how does it compare to pickleball’s rise?

Pickleball’s Continued Dominance

While padel’s global growth is impressive, pickleball remains the king of racket sports in the U.S.

Pickleball’s U.S. & Global Growth

• As of 2024, there were 19.8 million pickleball players in the U.S.—a 45.8% increase from the previous year.
• The sport has grown 311% over the last three years, making it the fastest-growing sport in America for four straight years.
• The pickleball market is projected to grow from $1.5 billion (2023) to $4.4 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 11.3%.

Pickleball Courts & Facilities

• The U.S. has over 16,210 pickleball facilities and a staggering 70,641 courts as of 2025.
• Florida leads with 1,228 courts, followed closely by California with 1,223.
• Pickleball tournaments surged 300% in 2024, with USA Pickleball hosting 142 events.

Padel vs. Pickleball: How Do They Compare?

While both sports share a social, doubles-friendly format, there are key differences:

Some padel enthusiasts claim that "Pickleball is a hobby, padel is a sport," stirring debate among players.

Is Padel a Threat to Pickleball?

While padel is exploding worldwide, pickleball is still the dominant force in the U.S. However, padel’s rapid growth and major investments could challenge pickleball’s reign in certain markets.

That said, these two sports don’t have to be rivals. The growing demand for racket sports means more infrastructure, more courts, and more players discovering both games.