Padel in Russia and CIS Countries
Russia’s padel story is one of the fastest growth trajectories in the sport’s history: from zero courts in 2012 to over 560 in 2025, with a market valued at 6.2 billion rubles. The CIS region — Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, and others — is following close behind.
How Padel Arrived in Russia
The Pioneer: Cristian Tarruella
Padel was brought to Russia by Cristian Tarruella, an Argentine-born padel enthusiast who built the country’s first court in Voronezh in 2013. Tarruella saw the potential in a country of 146 million people with virtually no awareness of the sport. His initial court served as a proof of concept: once Russians tried padel, they returned.
Early Growth (2013–2019)
The first years were slow. Courts were concentrated in Moscow and Voronezh, and padel was seen as an exotic curiosity. By 2019, Russia had approximately 30 courts, mostly in private fitness clubs.
Key milestones:
- 2013: First court built in Voronezh by Cristian Tarruella
- 2015: First courts appear in Moscow
- 2018: ~15 courts nationally; first informal tournaments
- 2019: ~30 courts; growing community of players in Moscow and St. Petersburg
The Explosion (2020–2025)
The COVID-19 pandemic paradoxically accelerated padel’s growth. As an outdoor or semi-outdoor sport played in small groups of four, padel was one of the first activities to resume after lockdowns. Investors noticed the global trend and began building courts rapidly.
| Year | Courts in Russia | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~30 | — |
| 2020 | ~60 | +100% |
| 2021 | ~120 | +100% |
| 2022 | ~200 | +67% |
| 2023 | ~350 | +75% |
| 2024 | ~480 | +37% |
| 2025 | ~568 | +18% |
[UNVERIFIED] The 60× growth in court numbers over five years (2019–2025) makes Russia one of the fastest-growing padel markets in the world.
Key Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Courts (2025) | ~568 |
| Active players (estimated) | ~20,000 |
| Market size | 6.2 billion RUB (~€57 million) |
| Public awareness (ВЦИОМ poll) | 26% have heard of padel |
| Willingness to try (ВЦИОМ poll) | 61% of those aware said they would try |
| Major cities with courts | Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Kazan, Krasnodar, Sochi, Novosibirsk |
The Federation Landscape
Федерация падел России (ФПР)
The Padel Federation of Russia (ФПР) was accredited by the FIP (Federación Internacional de Pádel) in 2024, giving Russia official standing in the international padel community.
ФПР organises:
- National championship (since 2023)
- Regional tournaments across major cities
- Youth development programmes
- Coach certification courses
[DISPUTED] The “Federation War”
Russia’s padel community has experienced a period of institutional conflict, with two competing organisations claiming to represent padel in the country. The dispute centred on which body had the right to represent Russia at FIP and organise national competitions.
The FIP’s accreditation of ФПР in 2024 largely resolved the issue at the international level, though some tensions remain at the regional level.
Russian Players on the International Stage
Yana Sharifova
The most prominent Russian padel player internationally. Sharifova reached #21 in the FIP world rankings, making her the highest-ranked Russian player in history. She competes on the international circuit and serves as an inspiration for the growing Russian padel community.
The Russian National Team
Russia has fielded national teams at FIP events since 2023. While not yet competitive with powerhouses like Spain, Argentina, or Italy, the team represents significant progress for a country that had zero padel infrastructure a decade ago.
Geography of Russian Padel
Moscow
The undisputed centre of Russian padel. Moscow has the largest concentration of courts, the most active tournament scene, and the highest-level players. Major clubs include facilities in the city centre, business districts, and suburban sports complexes.
St. Petersburg
The second city of Russian padel, with a growing community and several multi-court venues. The long winter makes indoor facilities essential — most St. Petersburg courts are covered or fully indoor.
Southern Russia
Krasnodar and Sochi benefit from milder climates, allowing longer outdoor seasons. Sochi’s tourism infrastructure has embraced padel as an amenity at resort hotels.
Other Cities
Courts are now present in Voronezh (historically the first), Kazan, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg, and Samara, among others. The geographic spread reflects padel’s transition from a Moscow curiosity to a national sport.
Market and Business
The Russian padel market is estimated at 6.2 billion rubles (~€57 million), encompassing:
- Court construction — the largest segment; new venues are being built at a pace of 80–100 courts per year
- Equipment sales — imported rackets, balls, and accessories (primarily from Spain)
- Coaching — growing demand for certified instructors; many coaches are Spanish or Argentine expats
- Tournaments — entry fees, sponsorships, and media coverage
Business Model Challenges
- High construction costs — importing glass panels and specialised materials is expensive
- Climate — most of Russia requires indoor or covered courts, adding to costs
- Limited domestic manufacturing — almost all equipment is imported
- Low awareness — despite growth, padel remains unknown to the majority of the population
CIS Countries
Kazakhstan
The most developed CIS padel market after Russia. Kazakhstan has approximately 17 courts (2025), concentrated in Almaty and Astana. The country’s growing middle class and interest in Western sports trends are driving adoption.
Belarus
Padel arrived in Belarus around 2021. The 375 Padel Club in Minsk operates 8 courts and serves as the primary hub for the Belarusian padel community. The country has begun organising local tournaments.
Georgia
Georgia has embraced padel with characteristic enthusiasm. The country has hosted FIP Bronze-level tournaments, attracting players from across the region. Tbilisi has several modern venues.
Azerbaijan
Baku’s luxury sports infrastructure has incorporated padel courts, particularly in high-end hotel and residential developments. The market is still nascent but growing.
Uzbekistan
The newest CIS entrant to padel. First courts appeared in Tashkent in 2023–2024, targeting the expatriate community and affluent locals.
Ukraine
Despite the ongoing conflict, padel infrastructure had been developing in Kyiv and Odessa before 2022. The long-term outlook depends on the geopolitical situation, but the pre-war trajectory was promising.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
- Climate: The long, cold Russian winter requires expensive indoor facilities
- Awareness: 74% of Russians have never heard of padel (ВЦИОМ)
- Cost: Court time remains expensive relative to average incomes, limiting mass adoption
- Infrastructure: Importing construction materials and equipment adds significant costs
- Coaching shortage: Qualified padel coaches are scarce; many rely on tennis coaches adapting their skills
Opportunities
- Massive untapped market: 146 million people with growing sports participation
- Tennis infrastructure: Existing tennis venues can add padel courts relatively easily
- Youth appeal: Padel’s social, accessible nature resonates with younger demographics
- Government support: Sports infrastructure development is a policy priority
- CIS expansion: Russia can serve as a hub for padel development across the CIS region
Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2013 | First court in Voronezh (Cristian Tarruella) |
| 2015 | First courts in Moscow |
| 2018 | ~15 courts; first informal tournaments |
| 2019 | ~30 courts |
| 2020 | ~60 courts; COVID accelerates interest in small-group outdoor sports |
| 2021 | ~120 courts; first formal tournaments |
| 2022 | ~200 courts; Padel Federation of Russia gains momentum |
| 2023 | ~350 courts; first national championship; first FIP tournament entries |
| 2024 | ~480 courts; ФПР accredited by FIP; Sharifova reaches #21 FIP |
| 2025 | ~568 courts; 20K+ active players; 6.2B RUB market |
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