Padel, a racket sport combining elements of squash and tennis, is experiencing a surge in popularity, with entrepreneurs and investors aiming to establish it as a major sport in the United States. This growth is driven by its social nature and accessibility, making it appealing to a broad demographic. The sport has seen significant investment, with companies like Racquet 360 closing a $9 million funding round and Epic Padel raising an oversubscribed $10 million seed round to build new clubs.
The sport's expansion in the U.S. is concentrated in affluent areas like Florida, Texas, California, and select East Coast cities, where it's being integrated into luxury real estate developments, high-end hospitality, and private clubs. For instance, serial entrepreneur Krieger opened Padel United Sports Club in Tenafly, New Jersey, while the One Park Tower luxury condominium in South Florida is set to feature a Reserve padel club. Events like the Blockchain.com Miami Padel Open in February 2022, which attracted 12,000 spectators and raised over $2 million for nonprofits, have further showcased its potential and appeal to celebrities.
The global padel player base reached 19.4 million with nearly 5,000 new clubs and 8,000 new courts added worldwide in 2025. In the U.S. alone, 250 new padel clubs and 330 new courts were added last year. This rapid growth is supported by venture capital and strategic partnerships, including AO Ventures, the investment arm of the Australian Open, taking a stake in U.S. club operator Padel Haus. The sport is also making inroads into luxury travel with initiatives like Privé Passport, a members-only program connecting padel players to luxury hotels with courts.
Padel's development in the U.S. positions it as a "posher, privileged cousin" to pickleball, requiring more expensive and larger courts for installation. This makes it a significant amenity in premium wellness, hospitality, and lifestyle experiences. The sport's year-over-year participation growth has been notable, leading all activities with a 67% increase, driven particularly by women and players aged 18 to 29, outperforming even Pilates in growth figures.
