# UK’s padel boom: 1m players, 2,000 courts

> UK’s padel explosion draws 1m players but sparks local pushback.
- Title: UK’s padel boom: 1m players, 2,000 courts · Malay Mail
- Summary: UK’s padel explosion draws 1m players but sparks local pushback. The UK now has over one million padel players and nearly 2,000 courts, but local communities…
- Keywords: breaking, padel, one million players, 2000 courts, london, local pushback, soul padel, stockport, laura latham, agnessha wood, bethnal green, boom
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/10/18/newssports20261018britains-padel-explosion-one-million-players-2000-courts-and-a-growing-pushback239593/239593
- Published: 2026-10-18T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: breaking, uk, padel, one million players, 2000 courts, london, local pushback, soul padel, stockport, laura latham, agnessha wood, bethnal green
## Padel’s UK surge
Padel, a cross between tennis and squash, has exploded in the UK with over one million players and nearly 2,000 courts.
## Laura Latham’s story
Laura Latham, a 42-year-old civil servant, started playing padel after a year of enthusiasm.
## Local pushback in London
London communities oppose padel courts, citing noise and space concerns in areas like Bethnal Green.
## Agnieszka Wood’s complaint
Agnieszka Wood, 52, helped stop a skating park from becoming padel courts, fearing space loss.
## Soul Padel’s expansion
Soul Padel opened 16 pay-to-play courts in England and Scotland, targeting diverse groups like seniors and women.
## Cost and access issues
In Stockport, players pay £11 for off-peak games, rising to £16 at peak times, while London costs are prohibitive.
## Skatepark closures
Bethnal Green residents campaign against padel courts after a skatepark closed in August.
## Key takeaway

The UK now has over one million padel players and nearly 2,000 courts, but local communities oppose the sport’s expansion into shared spaces.