Just a few years ago, Sweden was considered the epicenter of the global padel boom. Between 2016 and 2020, padel courts mushroomed across the country, and the sport transitioned from a niche activity to a national obsession. But today, many ask: What happened to padel in Sweden? Was it just another trend, or is there more to the story?
What Happened to Padel in Sweden?
The Early Days: A Growing Passion
Padel first took off in Sweden in the mid-2010s. At that point, it wasn’t about mass appeal—it was about curiosity. In cities like Helsingborg and Båstad in southern Sweden, a few pioneering clubs laid the groundwork for a sport that would soon captivate the country.
By the late 2010s, Stockholm was following suit, and the scene grew fast. High-profile Swedes started to invest. The now-iconic PDL Frihamnen, co-owned by former tennis pro Jonas Björkman and pop singer Måns Zelmerlöw, became a beacon for the sport's mainstream appeal. But when Zlatan Ibrahimović opened Padel Zenter in Årsta, it became clear that padel had entered the national spotlight.
The Pandemic Boom: A Perfect Storm
Then came 2020—and the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic closed gyms, canceled team sports, and reshaped how people could spend their time. But Sweden’s relatively relaxed restrictions allowed padel to flourish. With physical contact discouraged and remote work keeping people at home, padel was the ideal physical activity: low contact, accessible, and social.
At the height of the pandemic, people weren’t just playing padel—they were building it. According to a 2024 article in Padel Magazine, padel courts in Sweden increased by over 1,000% during the boom. Everyone wanted a slice of the padel pie, from seasoned entrepreneurs to opportunists looking to cash in.
The Bubble Bursts: Overcapacity and Market Saturation
But as restrictions lifted and routines returned to normal, the cracks began to show. Suddenly, there were far more courts than players. According to SVT, over 100 padel facilities shut down between 2022 and 2024. It wasn’t that Swedes had stopped loving the sport—it was that the industry had grown unsustainably fast.
The impact rippled across the ecosystem. Many who had built businesses around padel—particularly in equipment sales—felt the strain. One insider from Courtbrain recalls how during the boom, “everything sold out”—but that success was short-lived. Manufacturers overproduced to meet demand, leading to a surplus of goods and crashing prices.
A Market Correction, Not a Collapse
So, did padel fail in Sweden? Not at all. The sport is still wildly popular—it’s just no longer a gold rush. What the country is witnessing now is not a decline, but a stabilization. As Timbro points out, padel is moving from trend to tradition.
There’s also a notable shift toward club culture and community. The Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) has started to include padel in more structured environments, encouraging youth participation and more organized competition.
Global Growth: Sweden Was Just the Beginning
While the Swedish padel market cools into maturity, the sport is booming globally. Across Europe and in parts of Asia and the Americas, new padel clubs are opening every month. The lessons from Sweden’s rapid rise and recalibration offer valuable insights for countries just now entering their own padel era.
As reported by Padel Magazine, countries like Italy, France, and the UK are currently in the phase Sweden was in just a few years ago. But Sweden’s journey serves as a cautionary tale against overexpansion and the importance of building sustainable sports infrastructure.
A Sport Here to Stay
Padel in Sweden is no longer a trend—it's a fixture. While the boom-and-bust cycle hurt some, it also refined the market. Today, the sport is healthier, more mature, and increasingly integrated into Sweden’s sports landscape.
And for those who worry that the “padel death” in Sweden spells doom, remember: maturity isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning.
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