Column: Is padel still a sport of the people

Padel is arguably the biggest sports craze the Netherlands has seen in recent years. New courts are springing up everywhere, companies are investing millions, brands are fighting for market share, and clubs are still packed.

And yet, lately I’ve been wondering about something more and more.

Is padel actually still a popular sport?

That might sound strange. After all, padel is known for being accessible. You don't need to have had years of lessons to play a fun rally. You can go onto the court with friends, have a drink, and have fun. That is perhaps the sport's greatest strength.

But accessible doesn't automatically mean affordable.

Just look at the reality.

Many players can only play in the evenings or on weekends. Precisely at the times when courts are most expensive and hardest to get hold of.

A court then easily costs around forty euros. If you divide that by four players, you pay about ten euros per person. If you play three times a week, you’ll spend about €130 per month on court rental alone.

And that’s just the beginning.

You need a racket. Shoes. Balls. Perhaps you take lessons, play in competitions, or occasionally sign up for a tournament. For many avid recreational players, that amount continues to rise unnoticed.

I also find the development of the racket market interesting.

A good entry-level racket under fifty euros is becoming increasingly difficult to find. At the same time, most new models seem to focus primarily on price ranges of €200, €300, or even €400.

Of course, you don't have to buy such a racket.

But it does raise a question.

Why has a recreational sport become so expensive in a relatively short time?

Don't get me wrong. I wish every entrepreneur a healthy revenue model. Without commercial clubs, padel probably would never have become so big. Without investments from brands, entrepreneurs, and investors, we simply wouldn't have had so many courts.

So that commercial success is not the problem at all.

The only question is whether we risk losing something along the way.

Because a popular sport is not just about the number of people who practice it. A popular sport is also a sport that remains financially accessible. For students. For young families. For people who simply want to enjoy playing two or three times a week.

And perhaps we should start thinking about that now.

Because if costs keep rising, the best playing times become increasingly expensive, and equipment also seems to get a little more expensive every year...

When does a popular sport cease to be a popular sport?

I don't have the answer.

But I do think it is a question the padel world will have to ask itself more and more often in the coming years.