I recently saw a reel, based on FIP figures, saying Germany is racing ahead of Britain in padel. The numbers back it up. Germany had well under 1,000 courts at the end of 2024, and a full count found around 1,900 by July 2026. Britain has about 1,825. In 18 months, Germany has gone from behind us to level with us, or slightly ahead.
So if both countries have roughly the same number of courts, why does booking one here feel like trying to get festival tickets?
The number that really matters
It's not how many courts a country has. It's how many players are fighting over each one.
Britain passed one million padel players in May 2026. Spread across our courts, LTA figures work out at roughly 550 players per court. Even on more cautious industry estimates it's about 455, against around 280 in Germany. Same number of courts, but far more people wanting to play on each one here. That's why court time is the real currency of British padel right now.
What that looks like in Southport
At Birkdale Padel Club, evenings are the hardest slots to get. If you've tried booking after work, you'll know. But honestly, it's busy all day long, so even daytime isn't an easy option any more.
How to get more court time
1. Know your booking window, and be there when it opens
Most clubs only let you book a set time ahead. If yours opens bookings two weeks in advance, here's the trick: decide the slot you want, say 5pm, and be ready on the booking app at exactly 5pm two weeks before. The slot opens the moment the clock turns, and the best ones go within minutes. Do this every week and you'll have the same evening slot, week in, week out, while everyone else is fighting for scraps on the day.
2. Build your own four, or eight
A lot of players at Birkdale book courts and set up their own Americanos or Mexicanos. In an Americano you swap partners every round and everyone plays everyone. In a Mexicano, each round's pairings are based on the scores so far, so games stay close. Either way, you control the booking, you play a lot of padel in one session, and you meet new players.
3. Go to the socials
Club socials are the easiest way to find players at your level. Those players become your regular four, and that four becomes your weekly booking.
4. Make every minute count
When court time is scarce, an hour of aimless knocking is an hour wasted. A coached session gives you a guaranteed court plus a plan. In a group lesson for up to four players, the court and coaching cost are split four ways.
5. If you can play in the daytime, do
Daytime is busy too, but it's still easier than evenings. This is where older and retired players have a real advantage.
More courts are coming
The good news is that local supply is catching up. Formby Padel Club, Birkdale's sister club, is on its way, and Hurlston Hall near Ormskirk is adding four covered courts. If you want the bigger picture on whether Britain is building too many courts or too few, read my post on The State of UK Padel in 2026.
Get on court
I coach at Birkdale Padel Club and across Merseyside and West Lancashire, from complete beginners to improvers. Sessions are £30 for 1:1, £35 for 2:1 and £40 for groups of up to four, plus court cost. Book a session.
Quick answers
When is it hardest to book a padel court in Southport?
Evenings, though Birkdale is busy most of the day.
What is an Americano in padel?
A social format where you swap partners every round and points count individually.
What is a Mexicano in padel?
Like an Americano, but each round's pairings are based on the scores so far, so games stay close.
Does Germany have more padel courts than the UK?
Slightly, as of mid-2026: around 1,900 against about 1,825. But the UK has far more players per court.
