More Than 200,000 Adults Playing Tennis in Wales as Sport Reaches Historic Milestone
• 4 minute read
Tennis Wales is celebrating a landmark moment for the sport, with more than 200,000 adults playing tennis across Wales for the first time.
The latest LTA tennis participation survey results show that adult tennis participation in Wales has reached a record-breaking 210,000 players in the 12 months to July, representing the highest level ever recorded in the nation. This data doesn’t include adults playing padel, which Tennis Wales also governs.
The growth reflects years of investment in community sites, clubs and park tennis facilities across Wales, transforming local courts and making the game more accessible than ever before. New technology, including digital booking systems and smart gate-access solutions, has also helped remove barriers by allowing people to easily find, book and play on courts in their local communities.
When Tennis Wales launched their 'Tennis Opened Up Across Wales' strategy in 2020, annual adult participation stood at around 128,000 people. Following a surge in interest as people returned to sport after the pandemic, participation climbed to 172,000 by the end of 2022. Now, in 2026, tennis has broken through the 200,000 barrier for the very first time.
Jamie Clewer, Head of Participation at Tennis Wales, said:
"Reaching more than 200,000 adults playing tennis in Wales is a significant achievement for everyone involved in Welsh tennis. These record-breaking figures show that investment in facilities, particularly our transformed park tennis courts, alongside the dedication of clubs, coaches, volunteers and partners, is helping more people discover and enjoy tennis than ever before.
By continuing to create accessible opportunities to play, we can build on this momentum, encourage more regular participation, and inspire people in Wales to pick up a racket for the first time or return to the sport now in adulthood.”
The positive trend is being mirrored among younger players, with children's participation continuing to rise annually. The number of children playing tennis at least once a year has increased by 17% year-on-year to 190,000. One of the key drivers behind this increase in youth participation is the 1,778 school teachers who have been trained across Wales to deliver tennis sessions within school environments.
The achievement significantly surpasses Tennis Wales' 2026 target of 175,000 children and demonstrates the growing appeal of the sport among the next generation. The rise in participation has also been reflected in record levels of digital engagement.
LTA Advantage membership in Wales has now grown to more than 55,000 members, having more than doubled from 22,443 members in January 2024 following the completion of the Park investment programme.
Demand for online court booking continues to soar, with more than 15,600 unique players booking a park tennis court through LTA Play during 2025 and a further 12,600 people already booking courts online in 2026.
Together, these figures paint a picture of a sport thriving across Wales, Tennis Wales look for build on this momentum to continue to open the sport to new audiences.
