A gradual and steady growth, the Miami Premier, and the boom of professionals: this is how the U.S. says “yes” to padel

A gradual and steady growth. In the United States, padel is moving toward a professional landscape that hints at the future ahead. The numbers of licensed professional players confirm it, with a steady increase in recent years. According to the FIP Research & Data Analysis Department, there were only 163 professional players in the U.S. in 2020, but today that number has grown to nearly 2,000 male and female players with a ‘pro’ license. This growth clearly shows how the sport is steadily gaining traction in the United States.

In the United States, padel is governed by the United States Padel Association (USPA), which has been affiliated with the International Padel Federation since 1994. According to the USPA Annual Report for 2023, there were 227 padel courts, approximately 90,000 amateur players, 1,742 licensed professional players (about 400 of whom were women), 39 affiliated clubs, and 46 official competitions held in the country. The numbers have continued to grow in 2024: licensed players have increased by 10%, reaching 1,917, while the number of amateur players has surpassed 100,000. The number of USPA-affiliated clubs has also risen to 53, with 48 national competitions organized.

According to the latest estimates from the FIP research center, by early 2025, the total number of courts will exceed 650, spread across 175 clubs in 31 U.S. States. Florida is the fastest-growing state in terms of clubs and playing facilities, with 56 clubs and 268 courts, accounting for 41% of the national total. Texas follows with 18%, California with 10%, and New York with 4.7%.

Before the Miami P1, three international FIP tournaments had been held in the United States: in May 2021, the FIP Rise Houston (won by the Mexican duo Mujica-Amora) and the FIP Promotion Houston women’s event (won by the pair formed by Spanish player Cortina and Mexican player De La Peña).  In February 2022, in Florida, the FIP Rise Tampa, won by the French pair Scatena-Tison.

The most representative American player in the FIP world ranking is Brittany Dubins, currently ranked No. 122 in the world, having recently climbed three positions. The 33-year-old, born right here in Miami, achieved notable international results in 2024, reaching the semifinals at the FIP Promotion Valencia and the quarterfinals at the FIP Rise Tenerife. Additionally, she dominated the Nox USPA 2024 circuit, winning all four Major USPA events, including the inaugural US Open Padel Championships.

Other standout names in U.S. women’s padel include Marta Morga (No. 181 FIP), semifinalist in 2024 at the FIP Gold Saltillo in the Cupra FIP Tour, winner of the RGV USPA 1000, and semifinalist at the US Open Padel Championships. Carla Rodriguez Sanchez (No. 287 FIP) reached the quarterfinals three times in 2024 at Cupra FIP Tour tournaments (FIP Promotion Bettsson III, FIP Rise Utrecht, and FIP Rise MCV). In the men’s category, the rising star is Vinny Di Francesco, an 18-year-old from New York, currently ranked No. 384 in the FIP rankings, and already a key player for both the junior and senior U.S. national teams.