Proposed plans to build Adelaide’s first Padel Courts facility at Prospect

The most popular sport you’ve likely never heard of is coming to SA. See inside plans to build a new sport centre to serve up the action.

It’s a cross between tennis and squash and it’s sweeping the globe.

Padel has more than 25 million players in 90 countries – and under new plans, Adelaide would soon have a spot serving up some of the action.

First invented in 1969, Padel is played with rules similar to tennis, using a net, but on an enclosed, squash-like court.

Like pickleball, it is swiftly gathering more fans.

Now Australian company Padelaide is hoping to convert a vacant warehouse in the inner-north into a first-class venue for padel enthusiasts in Adelaide.

Artist impression of proposed new recreation facility for Padel courts at Prospect. Picture: Member Australian Institute of Architects.

Under the plan, Padelaide is seeking approval to build the Prospect Padel Courts, a state-of-the-art centre, at Devonport Tce, Prospect.

It would feature four padel courts, pro-shop, waiting lounge, wellness area, carparking, and service yard.

The project is hoping to transform the local parklands into a hub for the increasingly popular sport, as demand for Adelaide’s first padel courts grows.

Artist impression of proposed new recreation facility for Padel courts at Prospect. Picture: Member Australian Institute of Architects.

Former French professional tennis player Henri Leconte was at Moore Park in Sydney for the launch of a pop-up World Padel Club court to play Padel tennis. Pic Brett Costello

Thought to be invented in Mexico, Padel started gaining global during Covid due to its outdoor nature and lower possibility for physical contact.

It was included in the 2023 European Cup, and there are calls for it to be an Olympic sport.

Although the courts are slightly smaller than a double tennis court, it’s played with the same scoring system as tennis but with different rules, strokes and techniques.

Originally published as Proposed plans to build Adelaide’s first Padel Courts facility at Prospect