England has shed nearly 200 tennis courts over three years while padel facilities have expanded nearly sixfold, marking a significant shift in how the nation plays racquet sports. Analysis of Sport England data reveals that 183 tennis courts have closed since 2023—the first sustained decline in at least two decades—yet tennis still vastly outnumbers padel by roughly 11 to one.
The padel sector has experienced explosive growth. Facilities have climbed from 382 courts in 2023 to more than 2,200 today, according to Sport England records covering local authority, community-owned, privately operated, school and club venues. Participation has surged in parallel: the Lawn Tennis Association reported that one million people were playing padel as of May 2026, compared with 860,000 at the end of 2025.
Why is padel growing so rapidly?
Padel's appeal lies in its accessibility and gentler physical demands. The sport is played on courts roughly three-quarters the size of tennis courts, combines tennis-style rules and scoring with squash-inspired elements such as back-wall play, and permits underarm serves. These features make it substantially easier for newcomers to enjoy competitive rallies without extensive practice.
Bee Armstrong, a London-based project manager, exemplifies this trend. She switched to padel in 2023 after a back injury ended her hockey playing.
Padel is a bit easier on the body. It's really growing now so more people are getting into it. It's a really great way to meet people, and now with more courts it's become easier to meet friends after work for a game. It's easier to have a good game even as a first timer, compared to tennis which needs a bit more practice.
Are tennis courts being directly replaced by padel?
Some conversion has occurred. A net 77 tennis courts have closed at venues that subsequently introduced padel facilities since 2023. However, this replacement represents only a fraction of the overall tennis decline. The 183-court loss amounts to less than 1% of England's total tennis stock, returning numbers to 2018 levels. Tennis courts still substantially outnumber padel facilities across the country.
What does the Lawn Tennis Association say about these changes?
The LTA, which governs both tennis and padel in Britain, emphasised that tennis participation has reached record levels in recent years, driven by a scheme that refurbished more than 3,000 park tennis courts and the organisation's youth development programmes. An LTA spokesperson stated:
The change since the start of 2024 in Sport England's data on tennis courts in England amounts to 0.7% of all tennis courts, and of courts which have been replaced by padel courts – only 0.3%. Our data and insight shows the majority of courts displaced were either underutilised or in poor or unplayable condition, and introducing padel courts has helped diversify venue offerings and engage new players from local communities, helping to sustain both tennis and padel court provision at these venues for the future. In order to help bring padel courts into even more diverse communities, as well as ensuring more year-round usage of community tennis courts, the LTA is working with the UK government to secure investment into community tennis, padel and multi-sport hubs.
Where is padel growth concentrated?
The padel expansion has been particularly pronounced in northern England. Sheffield has added 39 courts since 2023, North Yorkshire 38, and both Leeds and Cheshire East 36 each. Despite padel's association with affluent demographics and venue charges sometimes reaching £100 per hour, court distribution across deprived and wealthy neighbourhoods is relatively balanced. This contrasts with tennis courts, which cluster more heavily in less deprived areas.
Recent market data shows the scale of current provision. As of September 2026, the UK had 2,227 padel courts across 619 clubs, reflecting continued expansion beyond the figures captured in the Sport England analysis. Powerleague alone is delivering 76 padel courts across its UK estate by 2026 as part of a £14 million investment programme.
What competitive infrastructure is developing?
The LTA has substantially expanded padel competition to match growing participation. The 2026 competition calendar includes more than 20 weeks of senior padel competition, featuring four Grade 1 events and 17 Grade 2 tournaments across Great Britain. Grade 1 venues include Stratford Padel Club, City Padel Exeter, Guernsey Padel Club, Rocks Lane Padel, West of Scotland Padel, and Padium in Canary Wharf.
What happens next for padel in Britain?
The competitive calendar continues to expand through late 2026. The LTA Padel British Tour includes a Grade 1 event in London in September and another Grade 1 event at Padium in Canary Wharf in November. A Rocket Padel Beckton Grade 2 tournament is scheduled for the week of 7 September 2026. The LTA has signalled its intention to work with government to secure further investment in community tennis, padel and multi-sport facilities, suggesting continued infrastructure development across both sports.
Key Facts
- England lost 183 tennis courts between 2023 and 2026, the first decline since at least 2000, though this represents less than 1% of total provision
- Padel courts have grown from 382 to over 2,200 in the same period, with participation reaching one million players by May 2026
- Only 77 tennis courts were directly replaced by padel facilities; most closures involved underutilised or poorly maintained venues
- Padel courts are more evenly distributed across deprived and affluent neighbourhoods than tennis courts, which concentrate in less deprived areas
- The LTA has established a substantial competitive framework with over 20 weeks of senior padel competition scheduled for 2026
