2025 has marked a defining chapter in the rise of padel across Australia, with the sport evolving into a recognised, structured, and scalable offering that continues to attract growing attention, participation, and investment nationwide.
Participation has surged at every level of the game. More than 90,000 Australians have now played padel, a 50% increase on the previous year, while the Australian Padel Tour continues to strengthen as a competitive pathway, with player numbers growing by 15% month-on-month.
Over the past twelve months, ten new clubs have opened their doors, including South Australia’s first dedicated padel venue, Padel Fit in Adelaide. This milestone pushed the national court total beyond 100, representing a 40% year-on-year increase in available courts.
Reflective of the growth, padel became an officially recognised sport by the Australian Sports Commission. This recognition represents a critical and validating step forward, unlocking new opportunities for the growing padel network.
“Across all metrics, padel is growing and growing quickly. This growth is enabled by a network of highly passionate and invested venue owners, and fueled by an enthusiastic player community who have discovered their love for padel. There are more padel courts, coaches and competitive players than ever before, and all indicators suggest this will only increase over the years to come.” – Callum Beale, Head of Game Expansion at Tennis Australia
Equally significant has been the sport’s progress in women’s participation. Through Padel Australia’s partnership with Empower Padel, 142 women were introduced to padel across five dedicated events in 2025, helping create welcoming entry points and build a more inclusive playing community nationwide.
“The first time you play padel, you’re going to be hooked,” said Women’s National Team Captain, Ana Renda. “It’s so fun, and it makes you happy to be on court.”
The sport’s development framework has also taken a major step forward, with more than 60 coaches becoming qualified following the delivery of Australia’s first internationally recognised padel coaching course – the RSPA Padel Certification delivered by Marcos Del Pilar. This milestone lays the foundation for consistent coaching standards, player development, and sustainable growth at both club and professional level.
“Many clubs underestimate the importance of properly trained coaches. They think any racquets pro can “just teach padel.” That mistake can cost thousands in lost retention and credibility.
Padel is its own discipline with unique tactics, court positioning, and team dynamics. The difference between a certified coach and an improvised instructor is the difference between short-term curiosity and long-term loyalty.” – Marcos Del Pilar, Head of Padel at Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA)
From grassroots participation to high-performance competition, padel’s momentum is undeniable. With increased court access, established pathways, and growing recognition, the foundations laid in 2025 have positioned padel for another landmark year ahead, and a future firmly embedded in Australia’s sporting landscape.
