Spain’s growth continues: Padel courts up 5% to 17,000 in 2024

New figures from the International Padel Federation (FIP) show there is no let up in the expansion of the sport across its most established market.

Author

Jonathan Dyson
March 06, 2025

Padel in Spain is continuing to grow strongly, with significant increases in the number of clubs, courts and registered players across the country in 2024, according to the latest data from the International Padel Federation (FIP) Research & Data Analysis Department.

The figures show there was a 5% increase in the number of courts to 17,000 in 2024, with almost 4,500 padel clubs and facilities at the end of the year, and a ratio of one court for every 2,800 people, one of the lowest in the world.

The regions with the most courts were Catalonia and Andalusia, with more than 3,200 courts, followed by Madrid with 2,300, and the Valencian Community with almost 2,000.

Growth in participation numbers were even higher, with the number of player licenses issued by the Spanish Padel Federation (FEP) reaching a new record of 109,040 in 2024, up 8% compared to 2023.

The figure has grown by 175% from fewer than 40,000 in 2012, when the FEP began reporting the data. The increase since 2020, when there were 75,000 licenses, is 45%.

The growth in women’s participation was particularly strong in 2024, rising by 11% to almost 40,000 registered players, representing 36% of the total figure. Meanwhile, of all players with a license over 12,000 players were under 19 years old.

There were significant increases in the number of clubs, courts and registered players across Spain in 2024. Image credit: International Padel Federation (FIP).

The FEP data also showed that the number of federated clubs (more than 1,500), coach licenses (more than 1,400), and referees (over 550) all reached record highs.

The continued increase in the popularity of padel in Spain has also been highlighted by the latest Barometer of Sports Habits in Spain report from SPSG Consulting, which states that 6 million people play padel in the country, representing 12.7% of the population.

FEP president Ramon Morcillo said: “Padel continues to grow in Spain in all areas, from facilities to licenses and youth categories, a fact confirmed by the FIP study that reflects the hard work and effort of recent years.

“This growth mirrors that of a sport that has become a global phenomenon, thanks also to the contribution of our country at all levels. However, these encouraging figures do not represent an endpoint, but a starting point to do even better and confirm Spain as the leading country for this sport”.