Coffee and Talk with Padel Smash Academy
Hey everyone! Cesc & Julien here from Padel Smash Academy. Welcome to our latest Coffee and Talk session, where we dive into one of the most common questions we get:
“What are the first steps to opening a padel club?”
Every week, we get calls from people at different stages—some just dreaming, others already securing investment and scouting locations. Whether you’re in the early idea phase or actively planning, this guide will walk you through key considerations to turn your padel dream into a reality.
Step 1: Why Do You Want to Open a Padel Club?
Maybe you’ve visited a booming padel club in Miami, New York, or another major city, and thought, “I can bring this to my community!” That’s a great starting point.
But here’s the reality—99% of people decide it’s easier to just play padel rather than start a club. Only 1% move forward, and those who do need to approach it like a business, not just a passion project.
Step 2: Location is Everything
The first and most critical factor is location. Ask yourself:
✅ Is there demand for padel in your area?
✅ What’s the competition? Are there tennis, pickleball, or other racket sports nearby?
✅ What’s the local demographic? Income levels and sports culture matter.
✅ How far are people willing to travel? The average max is 30-40 minutes.
Pro Tip: Some of the best padel clubs are started by successful entrepreneurs in other industries (finance, tech, real estate) who partner with padel experts to execute the vision.
Step 3: Business Mindset vs. Padel Passion
We see a lot of business owners thinking, “I’m successful in my field, I can easily start a padel club.”
While business experience is a huge asset, padel is a different game (literally!). The best approach? Hire the right people.
💡 Padel experts can help with club operations, coaching, and programming.
💡 Business owners bring strategy, investment, and long-term vision.
If you’re serious about funding, investors and VCs will expect a solid business plan, including 8+ courts, prime location, and multiple revenue streams.
Step 4: Avoiding the “Dark Hole” of Permits & Delays
A huge mistake we see new club owners make? Underestimating permit approvals.
🚧 Many clubs plan to open in 6 months but get stuck in permits for 1-2 years!
🚧 Cities often don’t even know what padel is, leading to zoning issues.
🚧 Some landlords demand full rent before permits are approved.
Solution: Work with local consultants, sports facility architects, and attorneys who specialize in zoning and permits.
Step 5: Indoor vs. Outdoor – The Revenue Factor
One of the biggest financial decisions is whether to go indoor or outdoor.
🌦️ Outdoor Clubs – Lower upfront costs but weather-dependent. In places like Florida, you lose 8-10 days a month due to rain.
🏗️ Indoor Clubs – Higher initial costs but guaranteed revenue year-round.
Hybrid models (indoor & outdoor) are becoming the gold standard. For example, Solomia Padel in Florida has 4 indoor courts with 32-foot ceilings and 6 outdoor courts. It’s a great balance of playability and reliability.
Step 6: Choosing the Right Padel Courts
This is where many clubs lose money.
🚫 Some clubs try to save $10K by buying cheap Chinese-made courts—only to see them corrode and need replacing within a year.
Invest in quality! Reliable manufacturers have been in the industry for 20-30 years and have perfected their materials for different climates.
Stay tuned! Next week, we’ll be reviewing the top 3 padel court manufacturers and breaking down what to look for in high-quality courts.
Final Thoughts: The Road to a Successful Padel Club
Starting a padel club is an exciting but challenging journey. The key takeaways?
✔️ Do your research – Location, permits, and market demand matter.
✔️ Surround yourself with experts – Partner with padel professionals and experienced consultants.
✔️ Plan for hidden costs – Delays, permits, and weather impact your bottom line.
✔️ Invest wisely – High-quality courts and the right business structure make a difference.
This is just the first step in our Padel Club Business Series. In the next episode, we’ll dive into construction, warehouse selection, and commercial real estate brokers.
💬 Got questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out to us at Padel Smash Academy.
Let’s build the future of padel together! 🚀🎾