England has recorded a significant shift in its sports infrastructure landscape, losing 183 tennis courts over the past three years even as the popularity of padel has driven a rapid expansion in dedicated facilities. Despite the decline in tennis venues, they still outnumber padel courts by a ratio of 11 to 1.
According to an analysis of data from Sport England conducted by The Guardian, the loss of nearly 200 tennis courts represents the first documented decrease in such facilities since at least 2000. The data encompasses a broad range of locations, including local authority and community-owned courts, privately operated health facilities, schools, and sports clubs.
While tennis courts are becoming less common, the number of padel facilities across the country has grown nearly sixfold, highlighting a major change in sporting preferences and infrastructure investment. This trend underscores the rising prominence of padel as the sports landscape continues to evolve.
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