TL;DR: Italy has quietly built the world’s second-biggest padel scene — 10,220 courts, 3,795 clubs and 2.2 million amateur players as of 2025. Rome now ranks third globally for padel courts (after Madrid and Barcelona), while Milan leads Europe in indoor facilities. Average court price: €30–45/hour. Booking is via Playtomic (your existing UK account works). The flagship event is the Premier Padel Italy Major in Rome each June.

While most padel coverage still focuses on Spain, Italy has done something more remarkable. In just three years, the number of padel courts grew by 29% — from 7,798 in 2022 to 10,220 today. That’s more padel infrastructure added in three years than the UK has built in its entire history.

For a UK or European player planning a trip, Italy is now the most convenient padel destination outside Iberia. There’s a court in nearly every city, prices undercut London by 30–40%, and the booking app is the one you already use. Here’s the complete 2026 guide — where to play, how to book, and what to expect.

Padel in Italy by the Numbers (2026)

Italy ranks second globally for padel courts and clubs, behind only Spain. Here’s how it stacks up against other European padel nations:

Source: FIP World Padel Report 2025, LTA, FFT.

The pace of Italian growth is the headline. Lombardy alone added 51% more courts since 2022. Rome now has 1,563 courts across 417 clubs — making it the third city in the world for padel courts, behind only Madrid and Barcelona.

Why Italy Became Europe’s #2 Padel Destination

Three factors drove the boom.

The federation restructured at the right moment. In 2023 the Federazione Italiana Tennis renamed itself the Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel (FITP), formally absorbing padel into the same governing body that already managed thousands of tennis facilities. Many tennis clubs converted underused courts into padel courts almost overnight.

The climate suits the sport. Around 55% of Italian courts are outdoor, concentrated in central and southern regions where players can compete year-round. Lombardy compensates with the largest indoor footprint in Italy — over 1,100 indoor courts — making Milan the safest bet for winter padel travel.

Padel matched Italian sports culture. Doubles-only, social-first, naturally tied to a coffee or aperitivo afterwards — it slotted into existing routines at thousands of multi-sport clubs without disruption.

Where to Play Padel in Italy

Rome (Lazio) — The Padel Capital

Lazio dominates Italian padel with 605 clubs and 2,014 courts, around 20% of the national total. Within Lazio, Rome itself has 1,563 courts and 417 clubs, with one court per 2,700 residents — the second-best ratio in Italy. Roughly 250,000 active players live in Rome alone, meaning one in six Italian padel players is based in the capital.

Top clubs to know:

• Joy Padel Club — popular among intermediate players, central location
• Paradise Padel Roma — most affordable in central Rome (from €28/hr)
• Acquedotto Padel Club — outdoor courts near the historic Roman aqueducts
• The One Padel — climate-controlled indoor courts, year-round play
• Padelife — three indoor courts, strong coaching programme
• Villa Mercede Padel Club (Frascati) — outdoor courts in the Roman hills, easy escape from the city centre

Milan (Lombardy) — Europe’s Indoor Padel Capital

Lombardy has 441 clubs and 1,409 courts, with the largest concentration of indoor facilities in Italy (1,100+ indoor courts). For UK players visiting in winter, Milan is the smarter choice over Rome.

Top venues:

• Aspria Harbour Club — premium multi-sport club with 4 padel courts and luxury amenities
• Sportnet — strong community focus, regular tournaments, welcoming for visitors
• Plus dozens of dedicated indoor centres across the metropolitan area — explore via Playtomic for live availability

Sicily — Outdoor Padel by the Sea

Sicily ranks third with 337 clubs and 822 courts, spread across Palermo, Catania and Messina. Best suited for combined beach + padel holidays from May to October, with prices noticeably lower than mainland cities.

Other Cities Worth Knowing

Bologna, Turin, Naples, Florence, and Sardinia all have established scenes with 50+ courts each. Sardinia has become a particular favourite for padel-and-beach packages from German, Dutch and UK travel operators.

How to Book a Padel Court in Italy

Playtomic is the dominant booking platform across Italy — the same app used in the UK, Spain and most of Europe. Your existing account works in Italy without any setup, and your skill rating transfers across countries.

Practical workflow:

1. Open the Playtomic app, set the city (e.g. Roma, Milano, Palermo)
2. Filter by indoor/outdoor, price, and time
3. Pay through the app — most Italian clubs require prepayment

MATCHi is the secondary platform, used by some premium clubs.

A few Italian terms worth knowing before you book:

• Prenotazione — booking
• Prova gratuita — free trial (many clubs offer one for first-time visitors)
• Lezione — lesson
• Partita aperta — open match (you join an existing group)
• Livello — skill level (Italians use the standard Playtomic 0–7 scale)

How Much Does Padel Cost in Italy? (2026 Pricing)

For comparison: London peak padel prices typically run £40–60 per court, so Rome and Milan undercut UK pricing by 30–40% while offering far more availability.

Additional costs to budget:

• Racket rental: €5–10 per session
• Ball rental: €2–4 per match
• Coaching: €40–80 per hour (private)
• Federation card (FITP): only required for official tournaments, not recreational play

Italy Padel Tournaments & Events to Watch

The Premier Padel BNL Italy Major is the flagship — held annually in Rome each June at the historic Foro Italico. It’s one of four Major-status events on the Premier Padel calendar (alongside Madrid, Qatar and Mexico). Tickets sell out faster every year, but they’re far easier to get than the Madrid Major.

Beyond that:

• FIT Italian Padel Championship — national amateur and pro categories
• FIP Tour Italy stops — multiple cities throughout the year
• Local club tournaments — most Italian clubs run weekly evening tournaments, easy to join through Playtomic with the partita aperta feature

Tips for UK & European Players Visiting Italy

• Book 2–3 days ahead in Rome and Milan during evening peak (18:00–22:00) — courts fill quickly
• Ask about the prova gratuita — many clubs offer the first session free for visitors
• Evening play is normal — most clubs stay open until 22:00–23:00, often later in summer
• Stay for the bar — Italian padel clubs almost always have a bar or café, and the social aperitivo afterwards is part of the culture
• Arrive 15 minutes early — premium clubs in Milan especially expect punctuality
• Cards, not cash — most clubs prepay through Playtomic; bring a card for any extras

If you’re planning around the weather, our indoor vs outdoor padel courts guide covers what to expect from each format.

Padel Equipment in Italy

Most Italian clubs offer racket rental for €5–10, so you don’t need to bring your own gear if you’re testing the sport. If you want to buy locally:

• Decathlon Italia — entry-level rackets and shoes, locations in every major city
• Padel Nuestro Italia — mid-range to premium gear, online plus stores in Milan and Rome
• Specialised stores — particularly strong selection in central Rome and Milan

If you’re building your kit before the trip, see our guides to the Best Padel Rackets Under $100 and the Best Padel Shoes UK 2026. Not sure on terminology? Our complete padel glossary covers every term you’ll hear at an Italian club.

FAQ

How many padel courts are there in Italy? Italy has 10,220 padel courts and 3,795 clubs as of 2025, according to the FIP World Padel Report. This makes it the second-largest padel nation in the world after Spain.

Is Italy good for a padel holiday? Yes — particularly Rome (largest concentration), Milan (best indoor coverage for winter visits), and Sicily (outdoor padel + beach). Court prices are 30–40% lower than London, and Playtomic works exactly as it does in the UK.

Where can I play padel in Rome as a tourist? Joy Padel Club, Paradise Padel Roma, Acquedotto Padel Club, The One Padel, and Padelife all accept walk-in bookings via Playtomic. Most central Rome courts cost €28–52 per hour.

Do I need a federation card to play padel in Italy? No. Recreational booking through Playtomic doesn’t require an FITP card. You only need it for entering official tournaments.

What’s the average cost of a padel court in Italy? Around €39 per hour in Rome (range €28–52), slightly higher in Milan, and lower in Sicily and smaller cities. Per-player cost typically lands at €7–13 in major cities.

Can I rent padel rackets in Italy? Yes — virtually all Italian padel clubs offer racket rental for €5–10. Many also offer “prova gratuita” (free trial sessions) for first-time visitors.

When is the Premier Padel Italy Major? The Italy Major is held in Rome each June at the Foro Italico. It’s one of four Major-status events on the Premier Padel calendar.

Is Playtomic the same in Italy as in the UK? Yes — your existing Playtomic account works in Italy without any changes. The interface, payment system and skill rating all transfer across countries.

Conclusion

Italy is no longer the “next big thing” in padel — it’s already the second-biggest market in the world. With Rome rivalling Madrid and Barcelona, Milan offering year-round indoor play, and Sicily blending courts with coastline, every type of padel traveller has a fit. Combine that with cheaper court prices than the UK and the same Playtomic app you already use, and Italy becomes one of the easiest padel trips you can plan in 2026.

For nearby alternatives, see our guides to playing padel in Croatia and Montenegro — both small but growing scenes that pair well with an Italian itinerary.