Editor-in-Chief, Padel Earnings
The short answer: it depends on your ranking
A top-5 player can earn €400,000 - €800,000+ per year from prize money and sponsorships. A player ranked #80? Closer to €15,000 - €30,000 — often not enough to cover travel costs. Unlike tennis or football, there are no base salaries in padel.
Padel is the world's fastest-growing racquet sport, with Premier Padel now hosting events across 18 countries. But while the sport's popularity is exploding, player earnings remain a fraction of what tennis or golf athletes earn. So how much do professional padel players actually make?
The answer varies dramatically. The elite few earn comfortably, but the vast majority of touring professionals struggle to break even after accounting for travel, coaching, and equipment costs. Here's the complete breakdown.
Do Padel Players Get a Salary?
No Fixed Salary
Unlike football, basketball, or cricket players, professional padel players do not receive a fixed salary. There are no team contracts paying guaranteed monthly wages. Income comes entirely from tournament prize money, sponsorship deals, coaching, exhibitions, and personal brand ventures.
This means a padel player's income is directly tied to results. Win a Major, and you'll take home €45,000 per player. Lose in the first round, and you might earn nothing after entry fees and travel. It's a high-risk, high-reward career structure similar to tennis or golf.
Padel Player Earnings by Ranking
Estimated annual income from prize money and sponsorships, based on 2026 tournament data and industry estimates.
The top 5 players in the world consistently reach finals at Major and P1 events. Combined with lucrative racket, clothing, and shoe deals, they earn the most in the sport.
Regularly competing in P1 events with deep runs. Strong sponsorship potential, especially players from Spain and Argentina.
Mix of P1 and P2 events. Prize money alone may not cover full travel costs. Sponsorships are essential to make a comfortable living.
Mainly P2 events and qualifiers. Many players at this level need supplemental income or rely heavily on national federation support.
FIP-level events with smaller prize pools. Most players at this level have second jobs or coaching income. Travel costs can exceed earnings.
* Estimates based on publicly available prize money data and industry reports. Sponsorship amounts vary significantly by player marketability, nationality, and social media following.
Prize Money by Tournament Level
Premier Padel has three main tournament tiers. Prize money is split between the two players in each team — amounts below are per player.
| Level | Prize Pool | Winner | Finalist | Semi-Final | QF | Events/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | €500,000 | €45,000 | €22,500 | €11,250 | €6,250 | 4 |
| P1 | €260,000 | €26,000 | €13,000 | €6,500 | €3,250 | 8-10 |
| P2 | €147,500 | €14,750 | €7,375 | €3,688 | €1,844 | 10-12 |
Where Does the Money Come From?
Tournament Prize Money
The primary income source. Top players compete in 15-20 events per year across Majors, P1, and P2 tournaments. Prize money is earned based on finishing position.
Racket Sponsorships
Most professional players have racket brand deals. Top players earn €50,000-€200,000+ annually. Brands like Bullpadel, Head, Nox, and Babolat compete for top talent.
Clothing & Shoe Deals
Separate from racket deals. Nike, Adidas, Joma, and Asics outfit top players. These deals typically range from €10,000-€100,000+ for elite players.
Coaching & Clinics
Many mid-ranked players supplement income through coaching. Private lessons can earn €50-€150/hour, and clinics during off-weeks help cover costs.
The Cost of Being a Pro
Before counting earnings, players face significant costs that eat into prize money. A full-time tour player typically spends:
Total annual costs can reach €45,000-€100,000. For a player ranked around #60 earning €20,000 in prize money, padel is financially unsustainable without sponsorship support or federation funding.
Padel vs Other Sports: Prize Money Comparison
How does padel stack up against other individual racquet sports?
| Sport | Top Earner | Median Player | Total Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennis (ATP) | €15M+ | €200,000 | €300M+ |
| Golf (PGA) | €20M+ | €500,000 | €400M+ |
| Padel (Premier Padel) | €300K+ | €25,000 | €8M+ |
| Squash (PSA) | €300K | €15,000 | €5M+ |
| Table Tennis (WTT) | €200K | €10,000 | €4M+ |
The Good News: Prize Money Is Growing Fast
Padel prize money has increased significantly since the launch of Premier Padel in 2022. The creation of the unified tour brought larger prize pools, global TV deals, and more corporate sponsors into the sport.
In 2022, a P1 tournament offered around €100,000 in total prize money. By 2026, that figure has more than doubled to €260,000. Major events now offer €500,000 — still a fraction of tennis Grand Slams, but a massive increase for padel.
If this growth trajectory continues, professional padel could become financially viable for a much larger group of players within the next 5-10 years. The sport's explosive growth in participation numbers makes a strong case for continued investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do professional padel players make?
Do padel players get a salary?
How much does a Major winner earn in padel?
Can you make a living playing padel?
How does padel prize money compare to tennis?
Who is the highest paid padel player?
Do women padel players earn the same as men?
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See the Full Earnings Rankings
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