Padel is experiencing exponential growth in Italy, both in terms of amateur players and dedicated facilities.
Below is an analysis based on the most recent data regarding the number of players, courts and padel centres, as well as an estimate of the turnover and growth of the sector.
Number of amateur players in Italy
Over 700,000 people play padel at an amateur level in Italy.
This number is constantly growing, driven by the popularity of the game as a recreational and social activity, with many new enthusiasts taking up the sport each year.
It is estimated that the number of active players has grown by 100% from 2020 to 2022, and the trend is expected to continue expanding, with more and more clubs and sports centres offering padel facilities.
Number of padel courts and centres
In 2023, Italy has over 6,000 padel courts distributed across approximately 2,500 sports facilities.
This represents significant growth compared to previous years: in 2019, there were only about 1,000 courts, showing a 500% increase in just 4 years.
The courts are mainly concentrated in large cities and regions such as Lombardy, Lazio and Sicily, but new padel centres are also rapidly developing in more peripheral areas to meet the growing demand.
Padel turnover in Italy
The overall turnover related to padel in Italy (including court rentals, tournaments, clothing and equipment) is around 700 million euros per year.
Court rental alone represents a substantial part of the market, with an average price of 30-40 euros per hour per court.
The equipment market (rackets, balls, technical clothing) is growing in parallel, with strong demand for padel-specific products. Italian and international companies are entering the market with dedicated products.
Market and facility growth
The padel market in Italy has grown at impressive rates in recent years, with annual growth rates of 40-50% in the period 2020-2022.
Growth is expected to continue in the coming years, with an estimate of 10,000 courts by 2025, driven by the ever-increasing demand from amateur players and the expansion of clubs and sports centres.
Factors contributing to growth
Ease of learning: padel is a relatively easy sport to learn, suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it ideal for the amateur context.
Sociability: the fact that it is played in pairs and in a smaller space compared to tennis makes it very social and fun, encouraging the involvement of friends and families.
Private and public investments: clubs and gyms have recognised the economic potential of padel, and many sports facilities have added padel courts as an additional source of income.
Additionally, there have also been local initiatives to promote padel as a sporting activity.