Padel’s rise in the U.S. has been pretty remarkable. For squash, it could be viewed as either a threat or an opportunity.
As recently as 2019, there were fewer than 20 padel courts in the country; by Q2 2025, there were roughly 688 courts across 180 facilities, and by April 2026, the U.S. crossed 1,000 courts. Participation is accelerating just as quickly, with more than 1 million Americans playing padel in 2025.
The concern for squash is obvious: padel is competing for racquet-sport mindshare, real estate, club investment dollars, and casual players’ time. But the opportunity may be even more important: padel’s growth is part of a broader tailwind around racquet sports, health, wellness, and social fitness. More people are looking for active, community-driven ways to compete and connect, which creates a bigger audience for all racquet sports. If squash can position itself within that broader movement, padel’s rise could help expand the overall market rather than simply take share from it.
Padel vs. Other Racquet Sports
Padel seems to be succeeding because it sits in a rare sweet spot: easy to start, fun at almost every level, but still difficult to truly master.
Compared with squash, it is less intimidating for new players - the learning curve is quicker, the primary doubles format makes it more social, and the full glass court makes the sport more visible and easier to watch.
Compared with pickleball, padel often feels more athletic, premium, and “clubby,” while still giving beginners the instant rally length and early success that make people want to come back.
Compared with tennis, it requires less technical precision upfront, which means players can get into real points and competitive games much faster. It also photographs and markets well: the glass courts, doubles energy, stylish clubs, and social scene give it a modern and trendy appeal that many racquet sports have struggled to capture.
Padel in NYC
While there are still pockets of relatively affordable padel in the U.S., whether in markets like Philadelphia, Baltimore, or parts of Florida where supply continues to grow, the most premium version of the sport is clearly taking shape in New York City. Between Padel Haus, Reserve Padel, and the new Kith Ivy concept, NYC padel is evolving from a casual court booking into a full luxury lifestyle experience.
Padel Haus has reportedly charged roughly $250-$270 for an hour of court time, while Reserve Padel’s Hudson Yards courts have shown bookings around $195 per hour for paying members. Kith Ivy takes the exclusivity even further, with reported membership costs of $36,000 to join and $7,000 annually. Despite the steep pricing, demand remains strong, with courts consistently booked out.
The question is whether prices will eventually normalize as more clubs open across the NYC area or whether New York padel will continue to position itself as a premium, scarcity-driven experience.
Recent & Upcoming Events on CL
Get ready for the 2026 NSL Finals that are happening June 10-12th at MSquash in South Norwalk, CT. Make sure to fill out yourbracketand buy ticketshere!
The 2026 Ontario Wheelchair Doubles Squash Champs took place this past weekend at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. Take a look at this articleto learn more!
Product Updates Coming This Week
Ratings Deep Dive
The Ratings Deep Dive is a new view in the Club Locker app that shows you exactly what's behind your number. Get a plain-English explanation of how the rating system works, then dig into your own breakdown: what's moved your rating recently, how confident the system is in it, and where your trajectory is heading.
Push Notifications For Your Club
For Players:
You booked the court. You blocked the time. But your phone stayed quiet - and the match you almost forgot really did almost slip.
Push Notifications for Your Club brings your court time to the surface.
Receive reservation reminders before you play, confirmations the moment you book, and instant alerts if your club changes anything.
It is not another inbox and it is not generic system noise. Every notification is tied to a court you reserved.
Make sure your notifications are enabled on your settings for Club Locker!
For Club Administrators
For years, you've had a member list, a calendar, and the patience to chase people through email threads no one opens. We watched. We took notes.
Push Notifications for Your Club will be available on your Messaging Center.
Write a title. Write a message. Pick who hears it - the whole club, juniors, league players, a specific membership tier. Preview it on your own phone first. Send.
Push Notifications are currently available to select clubs. Want to enable Push Notifications for your club? Reach out to support@clublocker.com
Tournaments Order of Play
Following a tournament just got easier. The new Order of Play tab on any tournament page shows every match scheduled for the day, grouped by court.
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