England has experienced a significant decline in tennis courts, losing 183 over the past three years, marking the first drop since at least 2000. This analysis, based on Sport England data, encompasses various court types, including local authority and community-owned facilities, private health clubs, schools, and sports clubs.

In stark contrast, the number of padel courts has surged, increasing nearly sixfold to over 2,200 from just 382 in 2023. This rapid growth has attracted around one million players as of May this year, a notable rise from 860,000 at the end of 2025.

Padel’s appeal lies in its accessibility. The game, played on smaller courts, combines tennis-like rules with squash-inspired features, including the use of a back wall. Many players, like Bee Armstrong, who turned to padel after a back injury, find it easier on the body and a great way to socialize.

Key statistics reveal:

• 77 tennis courts have closed at venues where padel facilities opened since 2023.
• The loss of tennis courts constitutes less than 1% of the total, reverting numbers to 2018 levels.
• Despite the growth of padel, the ratio of tennis courts to padel courts remains 11 to 1.

A spokesperson from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) noted that tennis participation has reached record levels, aided by refurbishing over 3,000 park tennis courts and a youth program. They emphasized that the recent changes represent only 0.7% of all tennis courts, with just 0.3% being directly replaced by padel courts.

The surge in padel has been most pronounced in the north, with 39 new courts in Sheffield, 38 in North Yorkshire, and 36 in Leeds and Cheshire East. Interestingly, despite its upscale image and often high hourly rates, padel courts are distributed evenly across both affluent and deprived areas, unlike tennis courts, which are typically located in less deprived neighborhoods.

As the landscape of sports facilities evolves, the LTA is collaborating with the UK government to enhance community access to both tennis and padel, ensuring their sustainable development in the future.