Padel in Ireland is growing faster than anywhere else in Europe

If it feels like a new padel club opens near you every few weeks, you're not imagining it. The International Padel Federation (FIP) has just published its World Padel Report 2026, and Ireland is the fastest-growing emerging padel country in Europe.

Here is what the report says about padel in Ireland, why the FIP is holding Ireland up as an example for the rest of Europe, and what it means for you as a player.

Ireland's padel growth in numbers

Between January and September 2026, Ireland added 63 new padel clubs and 219 new courts. Over the full year, the FIP expects the number of courts in Ireland to grow by 298% and the number of clubs by 254%.

That puts Ireland at the top of the FIP's table of emerging European padel countries, ahead of Ukraine (256% court growth), Estonia (193%), Russia (57%) and Poland (56%). In plain terms: almost four times as many courts by the end of 2026 as there were at the start.

"A best-practice example" for Europe

The numbers alone are impressive, but the most striking line in the report is about how Ireland is growing. The FIP describes Ireland as "a best-practice example amongst emerging European countries", crediting the federation for building a framework that can support the growth and keep it sustainable.

That framework includes:

• The IPT, a new national ranking circuit, giving Irish players a competitive pathway and a ranking to chase
• Grassroots and inclusion initiatives to bring new people into the sport
• A coach education programme with free training places for new clubs
• Collaboration with larger federations and the FIP
• The new Padel League of Ireland, for players and clubs across the country

We're proud to be part of this. LovePadel is the official sponsor of the IPT and a partner of the Padel Federation of Ireland, because a sport only lasts when there is somewhere to play, someone to coach you and something to compete for.

Padel is now worth €56 million to the Irish economy

For the first time, the FIP has measured padel's economic impact, working with the economists at OpenEconomics. The figures for Ireland in 2026:

• €44.5 million spent on padel (court bookings, court building, equipment and tournaments)
• €56.2 million in GDP generated
• €89.5 million in total economic output
• 386 full-time equivalent jobs
• €1.84 million in indirect tax revenue

Relative to population, Ireland ranks 12th in the world for padel's economic impact, at €11.27 of GDP per inhabitant. Every country in the top 14 on that measure is European, and Ireland sits just ahead of Portugal, a country where padel has been established for decades.

Part of a global boom

Ireland's story sits inside a much bigger one. According to the report, there are now 40 million amateur padel players in 191 countries, playing on 91,234 courts at 28,497 clubs. Women make up 47% of players, and Google searches for "padel" have risen by 200% in five years.

The full picture

Here is everything from the report on padel in Ireland, in one infographic. Feel free to share it.

What it means for Irish players

More courts means more people picking up a racket for the first time, more leagues and more tournaments. If you've just started, or you're thinking about your first ranking event on the IPT, three things are worth knowing:

1. Start with the right racket. A round, softer racket is more forgiving while you learn. Browse our beginner padel rackets, or see all padel rackets.
2. Wear proper padel shoes. Running shoes don't grip on sand-filled artificial grass. A herringbone or omni sole protects your ankles. See our padel shoes.
3. Get competitive. The IPT and the Padel League of Ireland mean there is now a clear path from your weekly game to ranked competition.

Padel in Ireland has come a long way in a very short time, and the FIP's report shows it is only getting started. See you on court.

Source: FIP World Padel Report 2026. Participation figures as of September 2026; economic figures are FIP and OpenEconomics estimates for 2026.