Padel is following in the footsteps of pickleball as a fast-rising racket sport that is starting to make a mark in the licensing business. Originating in Spain, padel — which combines elements of tennis, squash, racketball, and tennis — counts 35 million players around the world as of the end of 2025, according to the International Padel Federation, with 500,000 of those in the U.S., up from 100,000 in 2023.
Collaborative apparel collections focused on padel started appearing in a big way around 2023 and, not surprisingly given the steep growth trajectory, have continued to come on the market regularly since then, both internationally and in the U.S. Among the recent ventures:
- Reebok collaborated with GLDN PNT, a racket sports–centric athleticwear brand with roots in padel, for a padel-specific performance apparel collection, in a deal announced last month. The clothing is tailored to both pro athletes and amateur enthusiasts and includes two short-sleeved technical t-shirts, a tank top, a sports bra, and woven shorts.
- Sportswear brand On paired with the world’s number-one men’s padel professional, Arturo Coello, in a deal announced at the beginning of this year. Coello is the first padel athlete to join On’s roster of brand endorsers and is working with the company’s innovation team to create performance footwear for the sport. The first padel-specific shoes coming out of the partnership are expected to release in summer of 2027.
- Fashion retailer Kith launched a lifestyle brand, available on the Kith website and app, to accompany its opening of a wellness and padel club called Kith Ivy, last fall. The first club debuted in the West Village of New York in September. The Kith Ivy collection, which consists of performance apparel and equipment as well as leisurewear, is a collaboration with Wilson. The initial range, for men and women, featured Greco-Roman imagery and encompassed lifestyle crewnecks, sweaters, swim shorts, polos, and jackets; performance shoes, t-shirts, shorts, dresses, jackets, and hats; and padel rackets, balls, and bags, plus a sports canteen.
Several fashion brands have also recently become official apparel partners with padel organizations, outfitting players or professional staff and sometimes offering pieces to the public as well. Emporio Armani’s EA7 label partnered with British padel club Rocket Padel; Hugo Boss works with Privé Padel, a luxury club on Long Island, New York, to outfit its pro coaching team; and, Crew Clothing paired with U.K. padel league operator iPadel, to name a few examples announced within the last year.
In the U.S., while the number of padel players is growing rapidly, the industry’s potential is being held back by a lack of courts, with an estimated 700 at the end of 2025, less than the number in the U.K. An expansion of infrastructure should help the sport grow even faster stateside, which in turn will likely lead to further merchandise collaborations down the road.
Padel has a way to go before it catches pickleball in popularity in the U.S., however. The latter attracted a total of 24.3 million players in 2025, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, representing growth of 22.8% over 2024 and continuing a surge that has been ongoing for several years.
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