Padel courts in germany: Numbers, cities, and the future of the trending sport

Alexander Kautz doesn't have to think long about why padel is currently growing so rapidly in Germany. Almost every day, the co-founder of Cologne-based padel facility "The Cube" sees people pick up a racket for the first time and quickly discover how much they enjoy the sport. According to Kautz, one of the key reasons for padel's success is its low barrier to entry, as he explained in an interview with spized: “In padel, you're able to get into the game within just a few minutes and have fun right away. You'll have your first longer rally much sooner than you would in tennis, for example.”

Today, thousands of people across Germany are having the same experience. What was considered a niche sport just a few years ago is increasingly becoming an established part of Germany's recreational and club sports landscape.

The growing popularity of padel is also reflected in the number of facilities: Just a few years ago, only a handful of padel venues existed in Germany, but new indoor and outdoor courts are now being built in almost every major city across the country. Whether in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, or Munich: Private operators, sports centers, and increasingly also tennis clubs are investing in new courts.

Those looking for an overview of existing facilities can find extensive data on padel venues in Germany on platforms such as Padelcompass or Padelfinder. According to the latest data from Padelcompass, Germany currently has a total of 2,046 courts (as of August 4, 2026) across 422 cities and municipalities. Of these, 1,201 are indoor courts and 845 are outdoor courts – with the number continuing to rise.

According to the FIP World Padel Report 2025, Germany has not only developed into an important padel market in recent years but is also one of the fastest-growing padel markets in Europe. Nevertheless, Germany still lags behind in an international comparison. Spain now has more than 17,000 courts, while Italy has over 10,000 courts.

The padel boom is not only reflected in the overall figures but also at a regional level: According to Padelcompass, the highest number of padel courts (640) can be found in North Rhine-Westphalia, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Cologne and Düsseldorf. While Cologne has 54 padel courts, Düsseldorf has 37. Essen has 27 padel courts, Duisburg 25, and Dortmund 24.

Bavaria ranks second behind North Rhine-Westphalia with 322 padel courts, including 42 courts in Munich alone. Third place goes to Baden-Württemberg with 280 padel courts.

Among German cities, Berlin leads the ranking of Germany's padel hotspots with 89 courts. It is followed by Hamburg (81), Cologne, and Munich. Other cities represented in the top 10 include Düsseldorf and Leipzig.

Top 10 cities:

1. Berlin – 89 padel courts
2. Hamburg – 81 courts
3. Cologne – 54 courts
4. Munich – 42 courts
5. Düsseldorf – 37 courts
6. Leipzig – 33 courts
7. Essen – 27 courts
8. Frankfurt – 26 courts
9. Duisburg – 25 courts
10. Dortmund – 24 courts

But what makes this sport, which according to legend originated in Acapulco, so appealing? “I think there are several factors involved,” says Kautz. In addition to the relatively easy entry level, which makes padel particularly attractive for beginners, he sees growing media exposure and role models as key drivers of the sport’s success. “All kinds of influencers are having a great time getting photographed on padel courts,” explains Kautz. Former athletes and even some active professionals have also embraced the sport: “People notice that. Then they become curious and say: alright, I have to try this too. That means they proactively come to a padel facility and start playing.”

The growing importance of social media can also be seen at The Cube facility, which opened in November 2025: One of the 13 courts in total (11 indoor courts plus two outdoor courts) is deliberately designed in pink and serves as an eye-catching backdrop for photos and videos. We explain in detail here how a padel court is structured — from the dimensions and glass walls to the fencing.

Another advantage is the social aspect: Padel is generally played as doubles, with four players competing in teams of two. Many padel facilities therefore deliberately focus on community events, open play sessions, and formats that allow people of all skill levels to meet and play together.

The fact that padel is almost exclusively played in doubles is no coincidence. The format influences tactics, positioning, and the entire playing experience. We have summarized the differences between doubles and singles in padel here.

With the strong growth driven by the current boom, the question of a potential market saturation inevitably arises. Kautz, however, remains confident about this development. In his view, the market is far from being fully developed – and he still sees potential for new facilities, even in Cologne.

The fact that he and his two partners, Simon Schmitz and Philippe Krükel, believe in the long-term development of the sport is also reflected in their commitment. The founders invested around €1.5 million in the facility, with the lease running for 20 years.

At the same time, Kautz expects competition to increase as the number of facilities continues to grow: “Wherever money can be made, a market develops – and at some point, that market becomes saturated.” In the future, success will no longer depend solely on having a court available, but rather on the quality of the offering, the overall experience, the location, and ultimately the price. According to the managing director, these factors will determine which operators are able to establish themselves in the market in the long term.

The Cube believes it is well positioned for this competition – even though, in the fast-moving sports and fitness market, it can never be ruled out that the next trend sport will eventually take the spotlight. Kautz is particularly keeping an eye on pickleball, although he believes the market for the sport is not yet large enough in Germany. His prediction: “It will take another two or three years before pickleball really arrives.”

Despite all the enthusiasm, Sweden shows that rapid growth also comes with risks. During the peak of the padel boom, thousands of courts were built in the country, which has a population of around ten million people.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this development even further: While many other sports were forced to pause, padel remained possible. Courts were built at a rapid pace. Shortly afterwards, some facilities had to close because supply had exceeded demand. However, padel itself has by no means failed in Sweden: The sport remains popular and has since settled back at a more sustainable level.

Alongside the development of new facilities, youth development will be a crucial factor for the future of padel in Germany. “I’m still hungry and want to keep playing, but we need to work on motivating young people to take up the sport and introduce them to it at an early age,” German padel national team player Johannes Lindmeyer was quoted as saying by Focus Online. His comments highlight that the future development of the sport depends on more than just building new facilities.

The Cube also plans to further expand its youth programs in the future. Plans include youth training sessions, holiday camps, and additional activities for children. “We want to do a little more for young players because we believe there is still a lack of high-quality youth training,” says Kautz. The goal is to “start at the grassroots level so that padel in Germany can continue to improve in the long term, both nationally and compared internationally.”

The development of new facilities, the growing community, and the increasing focus on youth development all suggest that padel has the potential to establish itself as a permanent fixture in Germany’s sporting landscape.

The padel boom is no longer just a short-term trend. The next phase of development will show which operators, clubs, and concepts will shape the sport sustainably. Alexander Kautz is looking ahead with optimism: “I’m very excited to see where the journey will take us.”