The England Padel Association has confirmed that the United Kingdom now has over 600 registered padel courts — a milestone that would have seemed implausible three years ago, when the total was closer to 150.
The growth is not slowing. England Padel projects the count will reach 1,000 by the end of 2027, making the UK one of the top five padel markets globally by court density. Only Spain, Italy, Sweden, and France currently have significantly more.
Where the Courts Are
London remains the dominant market with approximately 200 courts across Greater London. But the most dramatic growth story in the past 12 months has been Manchester, which has added 40 courts in a single year and now has more dedicated padel facilities per capita than any city outside London.
Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, and Edinburgh are all in double figures and growing. The M4 corridor between London and Bristol has seen significant investment, with Bath, Reading, and Swindon all establishing clubs in the past 18 months.
The Facility Mix
Unlike Spain, where most padel courts are standalone clubs or tennis club add-ons, the UK's growth has been driven primarily by gym operators and leisure groups. Pure Gym, David Lloyd, and Nuffield Health have all added padel to their sites, bringing the sport to their existing membership bases.
The challenge this creates is quality: gym-attached courts are often underlit, poorly maintained, and staffed by coaches who learned padel six months ago. Dedicated padel clubs — River Padel Club, Padel Social Club, and the London Padel Centre — offer a different experience.
London Major Effect
The O2 event in July is expected to drive another wave of participation. England Padel projects a 40% increase in club membership applications in the six weeks following the event. The question is whether the facilities — and the coaches — will be ready to absorb them.
Find your nearest court in our UK Court Finder — covering 20+ cities with venue listings and booking information.