The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has unveiled an ambitious new strategy aimed at significantly growing the sport of padel across Great Britain. This comprehensive plan, which spans from 2024 to 2029, is designed to make padel more accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for people of all ages and abilities.
Padel, a sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, has been rapidly gaining popularity in Britain. Since the LTA became the national governing body for padel in 2020, there has been substantial investment in the sport. The number of padel courts has increased from 50 in 2019 to 350 today, and annual participation has surged from 6,000 to 129,000 players.
The new strategy focuses on several key areas to ensure the continued growth and development of padel. One of the primary goals is to increase the visibility of the sport, aiming to raise awareness from 20% to 40% of the population and boost interest in playing from 7.5% to 15%. The LTA also plans to expand the number of padel courts to 1,000 and grow the annual player base to 400,000 by the end of 2026.
To support this growth, the LTA is committed to developing a robust coaching workforce. The strategy includes increasing the number of padel coaches and activators from 40 to 700. Additionally, the LTA aims to create a performance pathway to support Britain’s best players, with the goal of having ten players break into the world top 200 and two players into the top 100.
The LTA’s strategy also emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration. From 2025 onwards, a new Padel Advisory Group (PAG) will be established to guide the development of the sport. This group will be open to industry stakeholders who are passionate about growing padel and willing to share ideas and work together.
The strategy was launched in Manchester, a city that has become a focal point for padel development in Britain. Through collaboration with Manchester City Council and Manchester Active, Manchester has developed a local padel plan, setting an example for other cities to follow.
Overall, the LTA’s ambitious strategy represents a significant step forward for padel in Great Britain. By investing in infrastructure, increasing visibility, and fostering a supportive community, the LTA aims to make padel a widely recognized and enjoyed sport across the country.
