MADRID, 11 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Paddle tennis, a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, has experienced exponential growth in Spain in recent years. This phenomenon is reflected in the number of padel clubs established in the country, with more than 3,800 in 2021.
With this figure, published by the Royal Spanish Paddle Federation (RFEP), Spain leads the European ranking of paddle clubs. Furthermore, the Iberian country remains far ahead of Italy which, with its 1,452 clubs, occupies second position.
These data are a clear reflection of the growing presence of paddle tennis in Spanish sports culture. The exponential growth of padel infrastructure in Spain is motivated by the importance that this sporting discipline has acquired and is having clear repercussions on other sectors such as real estate or sports equipment.
This article analyzes the rise of paddle tennis in Spain, and its economic impact on different sectors and the number of players who already practice this sport professionally in the country.
ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF PADEL IN SPAIN
Although paddle tennis has become popular in Europe and, specifically, in Spain, in recent years, this sporting discipline arrived in the Iberian country in the 1970s, imported from Mexico.
In its beginnings, it was a niche sport practiced by a few enthusiasts who could barely enjoy courts especially dedicated to paddle tennis. However, history has changed a lot since then, since today paddle tennis is one of the most practiced sports in Spain.
One of the main reasons for this boom in padel accessibility: it is easy to learn, requires less space than tennis and can be played in a wide variety of environments. In addition, having 3,811 clubs and more than 14,000 paddle tennis courts throughout the country makes things much easier.
Likewise, the popularity that the World Padel Tour (WPT) has been acquiring has also been key to attracting more and more players and fans. This global competition started in 2013 as the successor to the Pádel Pro Tour and is currently followed by thousands of people in Spain.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PADEL IN SPAIN
The rise of paddle tennis in Spain has also had a considerable economic impact throughout all these years. Currently, this sport moves around 600 million euros a year in Spain.
The industry related to this sport includes the construction of facilities, the sale of equipment and the organization of events, among others.
Specifically, the sports equipment industry has found a great niche in paddle tennis in which to offer all types of rackets, shoes, balls, clothing and accessories.
Players can choose the ideal padel racket from countless options depending on their level, playing style or gender. Manufacturers know that there are players of all ages, levels and physical conditions, so they offer solutions adapted to all of them.
But not only that. Nowadays, there are already online stores specialized in padel such as Our Padel where it is possible to buy padel rackets, padel shoes, padel sets and even courses to start, develop and become professional in padel.
These types of platforms are not only part of the economic impact of this sport in Spain but also make padel even more accessible for players. By being able to buy all the necessary equipment conveniently and online, players have an easier time getting started in this sport that sets record numbers in Spain.
For its part, the real estate sector has also been significantly affected by the rise of paddle tennis. In infrastructural terms, there has been a great demand for courts, facilities and other spaces dedicated to paddle tennis.
This has led to a growth in the number of real estate projects that include paddle tennis courts. For example, many developers have begun to include paddle tennis courts in their residential complexes and developments, thus recognizing the importance of having these spaces to attract potential buyers or tenants.
INCREASE IN PADEL PLAYERS AND CLUBS
Currently and, according to data from Nielsen Sports, paddle tennis is the third most practiced sport in Spain, only behind football and cycling. Specifically, there are more than 2 million people who practice this sport on a regular basis.
Although, of all of them, only 96,972 were federated at the end of 2021, we can talk about an exponential growth of players in Spain. If we compare this data from the RFEP with that of 2013, we find twice as many federated players as only 8 years before, when there were 43,312 registered players.
Paddle tennis is a sport with growing popularity and appeal in Spain and this, without a doubt, is having a significant impact on sporting trends, the economy and the country's real estate infrastructure.