If you manage or own a sports club in Australia — whether that’s a tennis club, a multi-sport facility, or a standalone leisure venue — there’s a conversation happening right now that you need to be part of.
Padel is coming. And the clubs that move early are going to find themselves with a significant competitive advantage: new members, new revenue streams, and a facility that gives people a reason to keep coming back.
The membership retention problem — and how padel solves it
Many established sports clubs face a common challenge: an ageing membership base, declining participation in traditional formats, and difficulty attracting younger players and families. Padel addresses all three simultaneously.
It’s a sport that’s easier to pick up than tennis — players of all ages and abilities can enjoy a competitive game within their first few sessions. It’s inherently social, played in doubles, with a culture built around the post-match get-together. And it’s growing at extraordinary speed, particularly among the 25–45 demographic that clubs have been struggling to attract.
In the UK, we’ve seen tennis clubs that added padel courts experience a meaningful increase in overall membership — not because tennis declined, but because padel brought in a new audience who then engaged with the broader club offering. The two sports complement rather than compete.
The revenue model: beyond court hire
Membership tiers. Padel-specific memberships, or club-wide memberships that include padel access, create predictable recurring revenue and increase switching costs — members who play regularly are far less likely to leave.
Coaching and programmes. Padel coaching is in high demand and relatively short supply in Australia. A resident coaching programme — beginner clinics, junior development, corporate sessions — adds significant revenue while building community.
Tournaments and leagues. Club leagues and local tournaments drive intensive court usage, increase social engagement, and generate ancillary spend on food, drink, and retail. Well-run events can fill courts during off-peak hours that might otherwise sit empty.
Corporate and event hire. Padel has become a popular corporate team-building format. A well-presented facility with supporting hospitality infrastructure can attract premium corporate bookings, particularly for clubs in or near business districts.
What Tennis Australia’s adoption means for clubs
Tennis Australia — one of the world’s most progressive governing bodies — has formally adopted padel as part of its national strategy. With over 1,800 affiliated clubs across Australia, this creates a significant structural tailwind for any club aligned with TA’s direction.
Finance is also becoming less of a barrier. Mindspring Padel, a specialist sports facility finance platform, has partnered with Tennis Australia and offers revenue-share funding models that can cover the full upfront cost of court construction. Clubs that previously couldn’t afford to build can now explore padel without the capital burden.
How PCC approaches sports club projects
We work closely with sports clubs to understand not just the construction brief, but the commercial model behind it. Where should courts be positioned for maximum visibility and member engagement? What canopy and enclosure specification is right for your climate and usage patterns? How does the design of the facility support the social experience that keeps members coming back?
These are the questions we’ve been answering for UK clubs for years, and we’re bringing that experience to Australia. If your club is exploring the padel opportunity, we’d welcome a conversation.
Contact PCC Contracting Australia to discuss how padel could work for your club.