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Three years ago, padel was an insider sport here, brought back by returnees from Spain. Today, there’s a court in almost every larger German city, Austria is building one court per week, and Switzerland is following suit through club structures. In parallel, Premier Padel and the former World Padel Tour have pooled their resources in 2024 – the biggest reform in the sport since its inception. What this means for the ATP, the DACH scene, and your weekend doubles will be decided by 2026.

29.04.2026

The Merger that Set the Sport in Motion in 2024

Until 2024, there were two parallel pro series. The World Padel Tour, backed by Damm, a Spanish brewery, dominated the pro circuit since 2013. Premier Padel emerged in 2022 as a competitor, with support from the International Padel Federation and investors from Qatar, and lured top players away. The result was a two-year dispute that fragmented individual tournaments, sponsorship contracts, and rankings.

The agreement came in 2024. Since 2025, a joint series has been running under the Premier Padel umbrella. Damm continues to support individual tournaments, players have a unified ranking list, and prize money is consolidated. For the scene, this was long overdue – for the ATP, it’s a signal. Only with a unified tour does a sport become internationally commercially interesting.

You can see the result on Eurosport and DAZN in 2026. Individual finals will be played on free TV, and the main stadiums in Madrid, Mexico City, and Doha are regularly sold out with 12,000 spectators. Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia are currently at the top of the new world rankings and dominate a field where ten men seriously compete for tournament wins. Among women, Gemma Triay and Claudia Fernández reach almost every final as a pair or against each other.

Why Padel is Scaling So Quickly in the DACH Region

The figures from the German Padel Association (DPV) are clear. In 2022, there were around 300 active courts in Germany, according to the association. By 2025, the DPV expects over 1,100 courts, spread across around 280 facilities. Austria has grown from a handful of courts to over 200, mainly around Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck. Switzerland has around 150 courts, with a focus on the Romandie and the Zurich area.

The boom has three drivers. Firstly, the low barrier to entry: anyone who enjoys ball sports can play a decent game of Padel within two hours. Secondly, the social aspect: doubles is the standard format, requiring three fellow players, which fits better into the DACH after-work culture than a game of singles tennis. Thirdly, the fitness payoff: one hour of Padel burns between 500 and 700 calories, according to DPV estimates, without putting the same strain on joints as indoor sports like squash.

The business case for operators works out. A Padel court requires around 200 square meters, with investment costs of under 600,000 Euro per indoor court and between 40,000 and 100,000 Euro for outdoor courts. With 60 booked hours per week, this amortizes within one to three years. This is a significantly different business case compared to a tennis hall or squash club.

Padel vs. Tennis vs. Squash: What Really Sets Them Apart

Padel is often described as a hybrid of tennis and squash. While this is superficially true, it leads to false expectations. Players coming from tennis often perform worse in the first few months than those who have never played before. The technique is different, the ball bounces differently, and the walls alter movement patterns.

The most significant difference from a player’s perspective: Padel is tactically more closely related to doubles tennis, but the walls make it entirely different in terms of rhythm. A good Padel point involves five to ten shots, with attack and defense switching every second. Squash players have the advantage of being accustomed to wall rebounds. Tennis players bring their hitting skills but must learn to work with a ball that is slower and takes less spin.

“Padel is the first sport in 30 years to appeal equally to both women and men, as well as to beginners and club players. It’s not Tennis 2.0; it’s a unique format with its own culture.”
– paraphrased from the DPV position paper 2025

What this means for the ATP, DACH recreational players, and the 2026 season

The ATP has long ignored Padel. That changes measurably in 2026. Initial talks between Premier Padel and the ATP umbrella organization ATP Tour are underway to explore integrating individual Padel events as showcases into ATP tournament weeks. This would be a breakthrough for visibility – and for the sport, a step out of the niche of Spanish peculiarity into the global TV economy.

For DACH recreational players, two points are relevant. Firstly: The infrastructure is exploding further. If you have a court in your city today, you’ll have three by 2027. Secondly: The price structure will adjust. As long as demand continues to rise, hourly rates remain stable. Only when facilities are no longer fully booked will prices drop. 2026 is not yet a buyer’s market for players.

If you want to get started yourself, you don’t need your own equipment for the first few months. Rackets are available for rent at almost every facility for five Euro per hour. Only when you play regularly – that means two to three times a week in DACH – is it worth investing in your own racket. The big brands are Bullpadel, Head Padel, and Adidas Padel, with entry-level rackets priced between 90 and 180 Euro. You’re familiar with similar price structures from the Tennis comeback segment, which is complemented by Padel in many studios.

A comparable niche boom is also being observed in Pickleball in Germany, but with a distinctly different curve: Padel is infrastructure-intensive and therefore limited in scalability, while Pickleball is cheaper but culturally less entrenched. For those looking to play a sport long-term in 2026, Padel offers a better professional structure, a larger European player base, and a more serious tournament format.

The wave continues to roll. Whether the ATP really follows suit depends on two conditions: stable financing for the merger and sufficient global reach outside of Spain and South America. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are the European test market. The courts are in place. Now they need to be profitable, not just booked out in the evenings.

Cool-down

Click on a question to expand the answer.

What distinguishes Padel from Tennis?

Smaller court (10 x 20 meters), glass and mesh walls allowed, doubles as standard format. The racket is solid and perforated, without strings. Get started in two to four sessions, not in months like in tennis.

How many Padel courts are there in DACH by 2026?

According to the German Padel Association, Germany has around 1,100 courts on approximately 280 facilities. Austria has over 200, and Switzerland has around 150. The number has more than doubled in three years and continues to grow.

Do I need prior knowledge to get started?

No. Being familiar with ball sports is enough. After just two to four sessions, you’ll be playing a decent doubles match. Tennis players actually have a disadvantage at first because the technique and stroke rhythm are different.

Is a membership worth it, or is a court hour enough?

For less than two sessions per week, a court hour (28 to 45 Euro) is sufficient. Those who play at least twice a week will find a flat rate or 10-session card more cost-effective. Many facilities offer off-peak rates in the mornings.

Where can I find trainers or beginner courses?

Directly through the local Padel facility. Almost every larger facility in DACH has its own trainers or cooperates with coaches. The German Padel Association lists certified trainers, and beginner courses usually cost between 25 to 50 Euro per session.

Benedikt Langer
Editor-in-Chief MBF Media / IBS Publishing ››

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Cover image source: Pexels / Ercan Evcimen