Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of both tennis and squash. The sport has been steadily gaining popularity and is currently taking South Africa and the world by storm. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind the padel revolution in South Africa and why so many sports clubs around the country are investing in this exhilarating sport.
The Rise of Padel in South Africa
Padel arrived in South Africa in 2019 with the first court built at Val de Vie Estate. The first commercial courts arrived in 2020, and in the 3 years since, the sport has started gaining more traction around the country. The unique blend of athleticism, strategy, and social interaction that padel offers has appealed to players of all ages and skill levels, contributing to its increasing popularity.
South Africa boasts a growing number of padel clubs and courts across various regions. It is estimated that there are over 200 padel courts throughout the country. This number is continually increasing as more sports clubs and venues are recognizing the popularity and demand for the sport and investing in new or additional padel facilities.
Another factor contributing to the rise of padel in South Africa is its increasing accessibility. Padel, unlike many other sports, does not require extensive facilities and expensive equipment. Padel courts are constructed relatively quickly and at a fraction of the space and cost of a tennis court, making it an attractive option for sports clubs and recreational centres to invest in.
The sport’s social aspect has also played an important role in its growth. Padel is typically played in doubles format, encouraging camaraderie and teamwork on the court. The social element has resonated with many players, making it an appealing choice for groups of friends, families, and corporate team-building events. This has played a significant role in attracting both seasoned athletes and newcomers through open game and popular americano type formats.
The Padel revolution is taking South Africa by storm, captivating the hearts of sports enthusiasts nationwide. The easy accessibility, social charm, and exhilarating nature of the game have quickly made it a beloved pastime for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. If you are interested in investing in this incredibly popular and exciting new sport, Padel Court Pro offers courts built to European standards and International Padel Federation specifications.
Where to find Padel courts in South Africa
Thanks to the growth of the sport, there are an increasing number of sport clubs that offer padel facilities in and around all the major cities in South Africa (Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and East London). We suggest checking with your local sports club to see if they have padel facilities. You can click here or download the Playtomic app and find a full list of clubs and courts near you. An overwhelming majority of Padel clubs use Playtomic as their court and club management tool. Playtomic’s app allows players to quickly and easily find available clubs and courts in their area and book time slots or join social games.
If you know of, or you work at a sports club that does not have padel facilities, contact Padel Court Pro today via email et info@padelcourtpro.co.za to find out more about the various basic and panoramic padel court models and customisable options we can provide.
How much does a padel court cost in South Africa
Pricing of padel facilities will differ based on the type and number of courts built. As scalability is a factor, the more courts that are built in a single phase translates into a lower cost per court. As courts are shipped from Europe the limitations of containers and number of courts per container becomes a factor. Similarly, there are restrictions that apply for the number of courts that can fit into a container based on models that are manufactured, considering environmental conditions, wind forces or, due to the volume and weight of the steel, synthetic turf type and sand infill. We offer a variety of models to select from reputable and world class manufacturers and can customise courts to suit client needs and budget. Padel courts can easily be added to existing courts or facilities at a later stage as budget increases or demand dictates.
Benefits of Padel courts for your business
The growing popularity of the sport is largely driven by new clubs being founded and additional courts being installed across the country by existing clubs. The demand for padel courts across the country is astoundingly high with venues and good locations a principal target of existing club operators. The business model and low barrier to entry is what makes this appealing to sports clubs and new investors. For existing sports clubs and venues it means an increase in foot traffic through their club with the addition of padel courts. Not only does this result in revenue generation through court rentals but it also provides further sales opportunities through equipment sales and rentals. Add to this, nearly 60% of padel players have a pre or post game snack or beverage results in increased sales through the restaurant or bar facilities on offer.
Conclusion
The popularity of Padel in South Africa and globally is undoubtedly on an upward spiral. At Padel Court Pro we aim to make the sport more accessible to everyone by supplying and installing premium high quality padel courts for new and existing sports clubs and recreational centres around the country. We want to make it possible for enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels to take part in the exhilarating sport of padel. So, whether you’re an existing club or new investor, contact us at Padel Court Pro and be part of the padel revolution sweeping across South Africa.