Britain's padel boom shifts indoors as operators bet on weatherproof courts
Market Analysis Shows Clear Preference for Covered Courts
More than three-quarters of padel courts currently in development across the United Kingdom will be indoor or covered facilities. This finding comes from fresh research published by Leisure DB, a market intelligence firm that operates independently within the leisure sector.
The company's latest analysis, titled 'The Rise of UK Padel Brands: Market Report (Multi-Site Operators)', documents what researchers describe as an extraordinary period of growth for the sport in Britain.
Tracking Two Years of Rapid Development
Leisure DB's investigation identified 188 padel sites currently operating alongside 96 facilities in the planning or construction phases. These venues are managed by 47 different operators running multiple locations. The data confirms that Britain's padel infrastructure has more than doubled over the past two years.
Industry forecasts suggest nearly 100 additional facilities will open their doors before the year concludes. If these projections prove accurate, the country will surpass 200 multi-site operator venues as 2026 begins.
Weather-Resistant Infrastructure Becomes Standard
The research highlights a fundamental shift in how operators are approaching new developments. Indoor construction has moved from being one option among many to becoming the preferred choice for most new projects. More than three-quarters of courts currently being planned will offer protection from the elements, signalling that operators are prioritising year-round accessibility and consistent revenue streams.
Regional Growth Spreads Across the Nation
The geographical distribution of new facilities tells an interesting story. While London and the South East established themselves as early centres for the sport, investment has begun flowing to other regions. The West Midlands now leads the country in growth rate, and Northern Ireland has started showing its first signs of market activity.
Leading Operators Shape the Market
David Lloyd Clubs maintains its position as the country's largest padel operator when measured by total court numbers. Game4Padel holds second place and carries the distinction of being the largest operator in the pay-and-play segment. The Padel Club has climbed to third position when combining existing facilities with those under development.
Industry Voice: A Watershed Moment
Jamie Buck, who leads research efforts at Leisure DB, offered his perspective on the current market conditions. He noted that padel has reached a significant turning point in the United Kingdom, with the growth rate during 2024 and 2025 outpacing anything observed in the previous ten years.
According to Buck, operators are no longer confining themselves to their original territories. Indoor courts have become the standard rather than the exception, and the competitive environment has intensified as new brands launch their own facilities.
He characterised the transformation as moving padel from a specialised pursuit to an established component of Britain's broader leisure sector.
Comprehensive Market Documentation
The report provides the first complete directory cataloguing all 47 multi-site padel operators active in the UK market. Additional content includes operator rankings based on various metrics, detailed regional breakdowns, and a complete timeline documenting the sport's development in Britain from 2013 through 2025.
Market Analysis Shows Clear Preference for Covered Courts
More than three-quarters of padel courts currently in development across the United Kingdom will be indoor or covered facilities. This finding comes from fresh research published by Leisure DB, a market intelligence firm that operates independently within the leisure sector.
The company's latest analysis, titled 'The Rise of UK Padel Brands: Market Report (Multi-Site Operators)', documents what researchers describe as an extraordinary period of growth for the sport in Britain.
Tracking Two Years of Rapid Development
Leisure DB's investigation identified 188 padel sites currently operating alongside 96 facilities in the planning or construction phases. These venues are managed by 47 different operators running multiple locations. The data confirms that Britain's padel infrastructure has more than doubled over the past two years.
Industry forecasts suggest nearly 100 additional facilities will open their doors before the year concludes. If these projections prove accurate, the country will surpass 200 multi-site operator venues as 2026 begins.
Weather-Resistant Infrastructure Becomes Standard
The research highlights a fundamental shift in how operators are approaching new developments. Indoor construction has moved from being one option among many to becoming the preferred choice for most new projects. More than three-quarters of courts currently being planned will offer protection from the elements, signalling that operators are prioritising year-round accessibility and consistent revenue streams.
Regional Growth Spreads Across the Nation
The geographical distribution of new facilities tells an interesting story. While London and the South East established themselves as early centres for the sport, investment has begun flowing to other regions. The West Midlands now leads the country in growth rate, and Northern Ireland has started showing its first signs of market activity.
Leading Operators Shape the Market
David Lloyd Clubs maintains its position as the country's largest padel operator when measured by total court numbers. Game4Padel holds second place and carries the distinction of being the largest operator in the pay-and-play segment. The Padel Club has climbed to third position when combining existing facilities with those under development.
Industry Voice: A Watershed Moment
Jamie Buck, who leads research efforts at Leisure DB, offered his perspective on the current market conditions. He noted that padel has reached a significant turning point in the United Kingdom, with the growth rate during 2024 and 2025 outpacing anything observed in the previous ten years.
According to Buck, operators are no longer confining themselves to their original territories. Indoor courts have become the standard rather than the exception, and the competitive environment has intensified as new brands launch their own facilities.
He characterised the transformation as moving padel from a specialised pursuit to an established component of Britain's broader leisure sector.
Comprehensive Market Documentation
The report provides the first complete directory cataloguing all 47 multi-site padel operators active in the UK market. Additional content includes operator rankings based on various metrics, detailed regional breakdowns, and a complete timeline documenting the sport's development in Britain from 2013 through 2025.
