LTA Unveils Ambitious Padel Development Plan for 2024–2029
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the governing body for padel in the UK, has revealed its Padel Development Plan for 2024–2029, setting a bold vision to make padel more accessible, welcoming, enjoyable, and inspiring for players and fans alike. This comprehensive strategy builds on the LTA’s achievements since becoming the sport’s national governing body in 2020, aiming to bring padel to new heights in Britain.
A Decade of Growth and Ambition
Since 2021, padel in the UK has seen explosive growth:
- 350 courts now operational (a 600% increase from just 50 courts in 2021).
- £6 million invested in padel infrastructure.
- 129,000 annual players reported in 2023, the highest participation levels ever.
With this strong foundation, the LTA’s new five-year plan outlines ambitious targets for continued growth and development.
The Big Goals for 2024–2029
The LTA has set bold objectives to transform padel’s footprint in the UK:
- Double Awareness and Interest: Increase public awareness of padel from 20% to 40% and double interest in playing from 7.5% to 15%.
- 400,000 Annual Players: Grow the player base significantly, with 200,000 playing monthly.
- 1,000 Padel Courts Nationwide: Expand the number of courts to accommodate the rising demand.
- Develop the Coaching Workforce: Increase the number of certified padel coaches from 40 to 700.
- Boost Player Performance: Support 10 British players to break into the top 200 and 2 into the top 100 globally.
These targets highlight the LTA’s commitment to making padel one of the most dynamic and widely played sports in the UK.
Six Pillars of Progress
The strategy is built around six core pillars:
- Invest: Expand padel infrastructure and boost the sport’s visibility with professional events and commercial partnerships.
- Grow: Increase participation by making the sport more accessible and attractive to new audiences.
- Engage: Support the development of a strong, diverse padel workforce, including coaches and volunteers.
- Diversify: Use tailored programmes and competition formats to engage underrepresented groups, including women, young people, and those with disabilities.
- Perform: Create performance pathways and training hubs to support both emerging talent and elite players.
- Lead: Ensure padel remains inclusive, safe, and sustainable through strong governance and community engagement.
The Road Ahead
With plans to introduce a junior development programme, enhance local and regional competitions, and explore opportunities for major professional padel events in Britain, the LTA is positioning the UK as a global leader in the sport.
The new Padel Development Plan is a call to action for everyone involved in the sport—from players and coaches to fans and facility operators. As Tom Murray, LTA Head of Padel, puts it:
“Padel is set to reach new heights, and we want to play our part in driving this growth to create a sport that is truly for everyone.”
With this roadmap, the next five years promise to be a transformative era for padel in the UK. The question is no longer if padel will thrive but how far it will go.