How I Helped a Client Start a Padel Club from Scratch

About a year ago, I received a message from a client in Eastern Europe.
He wasn’t a sports operator. He didn’t run a gym. In fact, he had never even played padel before.
His question was simple:
“I have some land. I’ve seen padel growing. Is this actually a good business, or just a trend?”
That’s where this project started.

Starting Small Instead of Going Big

Like most first-time investors, his initial idea was to build 4 courts.
It sounded reasonable — more courts, more revenue.
But after reviewing his location, local population, and competition, we suggested something different:
Start with 2 courts first.
Why?
Lower upfront risk
Faster setup
Easier to test real demand
He wasn’t fully convinced at first. But this decision turned out to be one of the smartest moves in the whole project.

The Real Cost Breakdown (Not What People Expect)

Most people searching online will find very vague numbers.
But here’s what his actual setup looked like:
2 × padel courts (starter level)
Basic lighting system
Artificial turf
Local installation team
Total investment: around $85,000
What surprised him the most wasn’t the court cost — it was everything around it:
ground preparation
local labor
small infrastructure
This is where many first-time investors underestimate the budget.

Installation Without Flying a Full Team

One of his biggest concerns was installation.
“Do I need to bring a full team from abroad?”
The answer was no.
We supported his local workers with:
detailed drawings
step-by-step videos
real-time remote guidance
The installation took about 3 weeks.
There were small issues (alignment, turf tension), but nothing critical.
And more importantly — he saved a significant amount on installation costs.

The First 3 Months (The Real Test)

This is the part most articles never talk about.
The first month was slow.
Bookings were inconsistent.
People were curious, but not yet committed.
He started with:
discounted trial sessions
local promotions
small community events
By month 3, things changed.
Courts started filling up in the evenings.
Weekends became fully booked.
That’s when he realized:
“Okay, this is not just a trend.”

When the Business Became Predictable

Around month 6, the club reached a stable rhythm:
regular players
coaching sessions
repeat bookings
Revenue became predictable.
Not explosive — but consistent.
And that’s what matters.

ROI and the Next Decision

He recovered his initial investment in about 14 months.
Not overnight.
Not “get rich quick”.
But steady and real.
After that, the conversation changed completely.
Instead of asking:
“Is this a good idea?”
He asked:
“Should I add 2 more courts?”

What Most People Get Wrong About Starting a Padel Club

From this project (and others), a few patterns are clear:
Starting too big increases risk
Underestimating local demand is common
Installation is easier than expected
Marketing matters more than the court itself
But the biggest mistake?
Trying to copy someone else’s setup without understanding your own market.

So, Should You Start a Padel Club?

There’s no universal answer.
But if you:
have access to land or space
are in a growing urban area
and are willing to start small and scale
Then yes — it can be a very solid business.
If you’re considering starting a padel club, the best first step is not buying courts.
It’s understanding your market, your budget, and your realistic return.
We can help you plan that.
Get a customized padel club plan and ROI estimate based on your location.