How many padel courts are there in the Netherlands? And how do we compare to the rest of Europe?
In recent years, padel has become one of the fastest growing sports in the Netherlands. Padel courts are popping up everywhere, and more and more people are discovering the fun of this dynamic racket sport. But how big is padel really in the Netherlands? How many padel courts are there now, and where do we stand in comparison to other European countries?
The Netherlands now has around 3,000 padel courts
By 2025, there will be an estimated 3,000 padel courts in the Netherlands. According to recent figures, there are currently between 2,900 and 3,100 courts spread across the country. That is an impressive number, especially when you consider that padel only really broke through in the Netherlands after 2020. The sport is accessible, quick to learn, social, and challenging, appealing to a wide audience, from recreational players to avid competitive players.
The increase in the number of courts is being driven by both sports clubs and commercial providers responding to growing demand. Large cities, smaller municipalities, and recreation parks are also investing heavily in new padel locations.
How do we compare to other European countries?
If we look at the number of padel courts per million inhabitants, the Netherlands has a respectable 112 courts per million inhabitants. This puts us significantly ahead of many large countries such as Germany (5 courts per million), France (18), and the United Kingdom (13). We are also well ahead of Belgium (90) and Italy (91).
However, there are countries that are still way ahead. Spain, the padel mecca of Europe, has 319 courts per million inhabitants. Sweden and Switzerland are doing even better, with 374 and 402 courts per million inhabitants, respectively. Countries such as Finland (214) and Denmark (170) also show that padel has developed strongly in several regions.
A sport on the rise
What these figures show above all is that padel is spreading rapidly across Europe – and that the Netherlands is fully participating in this development. Although we are not yet at the level of Spain or Sweden, the growth potential in the Netherlands is enormous. New courts are opening almost weekly, and more and more tennis players, team sports players, and fitness enthusiasts are switching to padel because of the playful, accessible nature of the sport.
Conclusion
With around 3,000 courts, the Netherlands is now among the European subtop when it comes to padel density. The sport has become an integral part of the Dutch sports landscape, and everything indicates that its growth is far from over. For players, this means more choice, more competition, and more fun. And for providers? A market that is in full swing and offers opportunities for the future.