Powerleague to open 76 padel courts across UK by 2026

Powerleague, the largest provider of commercial small-sided football pitches in the UK, has announced a major expansion of its padel facilities as it looks to tap into the rapidly growing popularity of the sport across the country.

Currently operating 43 clubs offering small-sided football and over 250 third-party venues which offer netball and football, Powerleague said it plans to introduce padel to nearly half of its clubs in the UK. 

The business opened its first padel facilities in July 2024, with three-court sites in London’s Shoreditch and Birmingham. It has identified the sport as a clear growth opportunity, and said it will be investing £14 million over the next two years to create 17 additional padel clubs in towns and cities across Britain.

The investment will support the delivery of 76 courts by 2026 which Powerleague expects will help make the sport accessible to over 200,000 players every year, “taking it from the preserve of tennis clubs and bringing it to the urban high street.”

The first of Powerleague’s new clubs will be in Manchester, opening in March. In a central location, the Manchester Nicholls Club will be the brand’s largest so far, with six canopied courts, a bar and social space. The facility will operate a pay and play model.

Powerleague, whose facilities are used by over 8.5 million customers every year, said the announcement comes as it “looks to become the biggest and best provider of small-sided sports leagues, with the most pitches, in the UK.”

Powerleague CEO Christian Rose commented: "Padel is a worldwide phenomenon. … Its success is because it's easy to learn, fun to play and hugely sociable, which is why it is such a great strategic fit for Powerleague.

“With our network of clubs in major urban areas we’re already well-placed to help the development of padel in the UK by making it more accessible to a wider audience. The journey Powerleague has been on over the last five years has been significant. It means we’re now well-structured for what is to come.

“Behind all of our plans, however, is our belief in the power of sport and how by delivering world-class sporting experiences we can foster economic, social, and physical well-being within the communities we serve.

“As a result of this collective ambition, we have community use agreements in place across our clubs to encourage local residents to play and are proud to also support the growing participation by women and girls in sport.

“Whilst football remains at the heart of our business padel can play a crucial role in achieving our long-term ambitions. At Powerleague we see our growth as going hand in hand with a healthier, more inclusive society.”

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