Padel: Adding a New Dimension to Regeneration and Hospitality
The opening of Padel Parx at the Cotton Works has completely shifted my perspective on the role sport can play in regeneration projects. I’ll admit, I’ve been cautious in the past about the risks of following “booming” sports. But seeing first-hand the passion of padel players, and the sheer fun and exhilaration the game creates, I’m now thoroughly sold.
Padel isn’t just another sport. It is a social connector. It appeals to all ages and abilities, but it is particularly loved by Gen Z, a generation that many urban centres and hospitality operators are eager to engage. The real opportunity is simple: get them through the doors for padel, then encourage them to dwell in food halls, event spaces, and complementary offers nearby.
And the numbers back this up. According to the Global Padel Report 2025:
Club openings rose by 26% in 2024, with almost 9 new clubs opening every day worldwide.
Over 7,000 new courts were built in 2024 alone, bringing the global total to more than 50,000.
The sport boasts a 92% retention rate after the first try, meaning that once people play, they almost always return.
The UK is now the third-largest market in the world by revenue, with Manchester, London, Leeds, Derby, and Bristol leading the way.
This is no passing fad. Padel has evolved from an exclusive, membership-only pursuit into a pay-to-play, digitally connected, mass-participation sport. It is highly accessible, easy to learn, and designed around the very behaviours that drive modern leisure: booking on apps, sharing experiences, and playing for social connection as much as competition.
For developers, landlords, and hospitality operators, this makes padel a powerful tool in their arsenal for regeneration. It generates foot traffic, builds community, and fosters dwell time, all while aligning with the demand for healthier, more active, and social lifestyles.
The task ahead is not just building courts, but integrating them intelligently into mixed-use projects such as food halls, event venues, student living and cultural spaces. Done right, padel does not sit alongside regeneration, it accelerates it.
Contact us to explore how Padel and other sports can add value to your project.
