Opening Your Own Padel Club: First Steps & Key Considerations

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:

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“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.