Gen Z to make padel the next big sport globally: ”The new golf”

Padel continues to grow in popularity and interest around the world. In a notable development, major business magazine Forbes has highlighted how Generation Z is ready to bring padel into the spotlight as the next big sport.

Today, Playtomic released its "Global Padel Report" for 2024, which provides a detailed analysis of the padel industry. The report shows a remarkable 26% growth in the number of padel courts in 2023 alone, along with the sale of over 4.5 million rackets last year.

As the sport grows in popularity, its media attention is increasing significantly. Forbes has now presented an analysis using Playtomics data. In the article, Hank Medina, the man behind Litquidity, shares his insights on the future of padel.

Medina, a 32-year-old investor and padel player with over a million followers on social media, co-founded NAOA, a club in the Hamptons that offers padel, tennis and pickleball.

He believes that Generation Z (born 1997-2012) will play a crucial role in making padel the next 'hot' sport:

— We're seeing a huge influx of young people who want to live healthy, active lives and find new ways to socialize. Padel is a highly addictive sport and has become a huge connector for my generation! Padel is the new golf.”