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 courtpadel—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

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?

Is Pickleball Still Experiencing Explosive Growth and are Participants Skewing Younger?

Pickleball continued its meteoric rise, but is it starting to slow down? We highlight some of the more interesting findings from a recent industry report that sheds light on the sport’s growth and its participants.

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

Pickleball Courts & Facilities

Padel vs. Pickleball: How Do They Compare?

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

Feature Pickleball Padel
Court Open, smaller than tennis Enclosed with glass walls
Paddle Solid-faced, perforated Stringless, but similar to a tennis racket
Scoring 11 points, win by 2 Traditional tennis-style scoring
Playstyle Quick reflexes, dink game Faster, more dynamic, uses walls
Accessibility Lower cost, easy to start Requires specialized courts
U.S. Popularity 19.8 million players ~70 clubs, but rapidly growing

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

Christian Alshon Fuels the Tennis vs. Pickleball Fire, Takes Plenty of Heat

Pickleball pro Christian Alshon says pickleball requires more skill than tennis. Predictably, the tennis world responded.

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.


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