Padel is everywhere right now - and it’s not just a passing trend. It’s quickly becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports, and for developers and landowners, that spells serious opportunity.
At Searchland, we’ve seen planning applications for padel courts more than double in 2024, and the momentum isn’t slowing. In fact, based on our data, there are nearly 17,000 sites across the UK that are already ideal for padel development - whether you're looking to convert existing space or tap into short-term wins.
Why padel is a smart investment for UK landowners and developers
Padel is a high-energy racquet sport that’s like a mix of tennis and squash. It doesn’t need much space (you can fit two padel courts in the footprint of one tennis court), it’s quick to install, and it’s hugely popular - especially in urban areas.
Back in 2021, around 89,000 people in Britain played padel. By the end of 2024, that number had shot up to over 400,000. With popularity growing and build costs relatively low, it’s a no-brainer for councils, landowners and developers who want to make better use of space.
UK padel court planning applications are soaring
Here’s what we’ve seen from planning data on the Searchland platform:
- 2021: 53 applications
- 2022: 82 (+55%)
- 2023: 163 (+99%)
- 2024: 348 (+113%)
- 2025 (so far): 295 and counting – on track to hit 544 by year-end
But this is just the beginning - our land insight tools show there’s a lot more untapped opportunity.
Top locations for UK padel development sites
We’ve identified three key categories of land and property with high potential for padel development:
1. Sports & leisure venues with space to add padel courts
There are 16,851 existing leisure sites across the UK -like golf clubs, racquet centres, and community football facilities - with land that could easily accommodate one or more padel courts.
Best cities for padel development at leisure venues:
- London: 1,086 sites
- Bristol: 206
- Edinburgh: 189
- Leeds: 129
- Manchester: 128
2. Commercial buildings ideal for padel court conversion
We’ve found 15,742 commercial properties that are well-sized, well-located, and could be repurposed as padel venues with minimal work. These are ideal for private operators and investors looking for fast project turnaround.
Top cities for conversion-ready buildings:
- London: 929
- Manchester: 468
- Leeds: 360
- Birmingham: 346
3. Short-term padel opportunities on active development sites
There are 674 UK development sites where padel courts could be added temporarily during long build schedules. It’s a smart interim use that can bring in revenue and activity—then be removed or integrated later.
Top cities for temporary padel opportunities:
- London: 151
- Bristol: 16
- Birmingham: 8
Padel development: A low-risk, high-demand opportunity
“Padel’s rise isn’t just a passing phase - it’s a clear signal to anyone in land or property that now’s the time to act,” says Hugh Gibbs, co-founder of Searchland.
“With nearly 17,000 UK sites already identified on our platform, the opportunity is there -you just need the tools to move quickly.”
Whether you're eyeing long-term value or short-term activation, padel is proving itself as one of the most accessible, scalable ways to enhance land use across the UK.
Find and act on padel development sites with Searchland
Looking to build padel courts, convert space, or find viable planning opportunities in your area? Searchland helps you source, assess, and acquire the best land - faster than anyone else. Book a demo with us today.
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