The padel boom is coming – and Southeast Queensland is getting a front-row seat
You’ve probably heard of padel by now – and pretty soon, you might be playing it. The social, easy-to-learn racquet sport is exploding globally, with Southeast Queensland set to welcome a wave of new clubs over the coming months. We’ve collated a list of the clubs opening near you, what’s behind the padel boom and why everyone is suddenly getting in on the action.
Ever heard of padel? Until recently, the new-wave racquet sport has been a relatively obscure pastime Down Under, overshadowed by tennis and pickleball as the preferred outlet for swingers keen for a hit.
But pretty soon, there’s a good chance padel will be the name on everyone’s lips.
The game, a hybrid of tennis and squash, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with a rabid global player base numbering in the millions. Invented in Mexico in the late 1960s before rapidly spreading across Europe and the rest of Latin America, padel has evolved from a niche athletic curio to a veritable powerhouse, with an international federation, competitive tournament scene and world championships.
Though not unheard of, padel is still a largely fringe activity here in Australia. That’s rapidly changing, however. Thanks to backing from governing bodies like Tennis Australia and public support from big-name athletes, the sport is expected to explode in popularity.
In Southeast Queensland alone, more than ten clubs are estimated to open across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast in the next six months.
Ask those who have kept an eye on padel’s homegrown upswing over the past few years, they’ll tell you this proliferation comes as no surprise.
“When I started in my role, there were nine venues total in Australia – now we have more than 30 venues and counting,” says Ardian Fazilu, game expansion development manager for Padel Australia. “I have seen the sport double and double again, year on year for the last three years, which has been really exciting.”
There are stats to back up padel’s surging uptake across the globe. Last December, the International Padel Federation released the second edition of its FIP World Padel Report, revealing that the number of active padel players has surpassed 35 million globally, with the sport recording a 16.1 percent increase in clubs, a 15.2 percent rise in courts and a 42 percent growth in members registered with national federations since the previous year.
Looking at the global breakdown of padel’s popularity, the report states that more than 61 percent of participants are in Europe, 19 percent in South America and 7.7 percent in Central and North America. While Oceania represents only 0.3 percent of the global padel-playing population, the report indicates that the region is “moving from an embryonic phase to one of growth”. Ardi agrees.
“We’ve got around 100,000 players playing here in Australia, which is pretty significant given we’ve got just over 30 clubs,” Ardi informs us.
“The projected growth is going to be pretty impressive. By the end of this year, we’re on track to break 200 courts total. By the end of 2027, that should be around 350 courts and close to 80 clubs, which is just testament to the appetite at the moment.”
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But what’s fuelling this appetite and growth rate? What has made padel the broad-reaching sensation that it is?
“For a lot of people who are new to racquet sports, it’s a great introduction,” says Ardi. “It offers great social cohesion, because it’s so easy to play. There’s a really low barrier.”
For the uninitiated, padel is played on custom courts that are about one-third the size of a tennis court, surrounded by fencing and glass walls. Its scoring system is the same as tennis, but with the court and walls always in play, and angles an intrinsic part of the game, padel boasts a sense of constant, fast-paced, 360-degree action.
Typically played in doubles, padel has inherent social benefits baked in alongside the physical ones, with groups able to meet for a match or pair up with potential new friends.
“I think it’s blowing up because you can actually get the hang of it in a single session,” says Thomas Devine, co-owner of soon-to-open Baringa club, PadelClubhouse. “Most people are having real rallies within ten minutes, which almost never happens with tennis or squash. Plus, it’s always played in doubles, so it’s social by default, you’re never just stranded out there on your own.”
Another potential contributor to padel’s growth rate is the clubs themselves. In addition to courts, many of the new clubs opening later this year boast wellness-oriented amenities, hospitality outlets and chill-out areas – blurring the lines between classic sports clubs and lifestyle centres, and creating community meeting points in the process.
“It’s very much around that user experience,” says Ardi on the contemporary padel club offering.
“These second- and third-generation venues that are coming online are putting a really high importance around social connection, and we’re seeing a lot of these great amenities around wellness – spas, saunas and cold plunge – as well as cafes and bars. The infrastructure and amenities are really skewed to be social and to allow people to connect post the event.”
For Jetts 24 Hour Fitness founders Brendon and Cristy Levenson, their forthcoming premium padel club Padelground is intended to be the kind of place they’d want to spend their own time in – a place where movement, recovery, good food and community all exist at the same address.
“Padel gets you through the door, but around it sits everything that makes a place worth coming back to,” says Brendon. “Padelground is really built around giving adults back the joy that comes from unintentional play – that feeling you had as a kid where movement wasn’t exercise, it was just fun.”
While padel, at its heart, is all fun and games, there is a subset of players that live for the competition. The Aussie Crocs – the name given to Australia’s top men’s, women’s and Masters padel teams – don the green and gold on an international stage, going up against titans of the sport like Spain and Argentina.
Though our teams have yet to crack the upper echelon of global rankings (Australia was ranked 12th at the 2024 FIP Seniors World Padel Championships), the sport’s rising interest level – especially among youngsters – bodes well for future top-level success.
“The increased interest is transitioning into competitive play,” says Ardi. “We’ve had 100-percent growth in the last year around our competitive players and we’ve had a 111-percent increase in our female competitors.
“Newly this year, we’re putting together a FIP Junior Aussie Crocs team – they’re gonna be competing in the FIP Junior Asian Cup, which is great.”
On the men’s team is a familiar face – former tennis world No. 1 Pat Rafter, a padel fanatic who made the transition after hanging up the racquet.
“Pat Rafter out there is a great ambassador and is obsessed with the sport of padel, which is really exciting,” says Ardi.
Pat will be headlining the inaugural Padel Invitational presented by UBS, which commences at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday August 15. Boasting a custom-built court with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and participation from a roster of elite padel players and celebrities, the event might become a watershed moment for the sport – the point where padel transitions from obscurity to spotlight.
Subscribe for updates“Events like that, which are run and delivered by Paddle Australia in connection with Tennis Australia, help elevate the sport,” says Ardi. “It’s really going to boost awareness and drive more and more people to our local clubs, which, ultimately, is our goal.”
For those curious about the sport, Ardi recommends gathering a mate or two and diving in head first.
“For people that are wanting to get active and pick up a racket – either for the first time or for the first time in a long time – paddle really provides that opportunity to get on court with your friends.”
Looking for a club to try? Pretty soon you’ll be spoiled for choice. Here’s a list of clubs open now or opening soon in Southeast Queensland:
Brisbane and Logan
Padel Brisbane, The Gap: Brisbane’s first padel club, Padel Brisbane at The Gap Health & Racquet Club is, for now, one of the only places to have a hit. The club boasts four brand-new courts boasting lighting for those eager to play after the sun sets. Padel Brisbane also features a seating area, pro shop and car parking.
Lander’s Pocket, Brisbane Airport: In addition to two mini golf courses, high-tech driving bays and an award-winning gastro pub, Landers Pocket (located just near Skygate) will soon be home to a brand-new padel setup. Later this year, the thriving precinct will cut the ribbon on a brand-new set of four courts, built in partnership with Padel Brisbane.
Padel Logan, Meadowbrook: Shaping up to be Logan’s first padel club when it opens in September at Meadowbrook Golf Club, Padel Logan is promising a top-flight experience. The venue will boast four championship-level padel courts, which will join other amenities including a driving range, mini golf course and beer garden.
Gizmo Courts, Underwood: At Gizmo Courts in Underwood, padel is all about good times, easy rallies and bringing people together. Whether you’re picking up a racquet for the first time or chasing a competitive match, the club welcomes all ages and skill levels, with courts made for social games, family hit-outs and friendly battles with friends. The venue also boasts pickleball courts for those keen to sharpen their skills in both disciplines.
Padelo, Brisbane: The team behind Padelo is looking to make padel accessible to everyone, from first-time players to seasoned competitors. Co-founded by ranked padel player, LTA instructor and international referee Harry Bruen and commercial specialist Henry Turpie, the club aims to create a welcoming space for social matches, tournaments, coaching and plenty of time spent connecting off court. With a Brisbane location announcement coming soon, Padelo is hoping to prove that padel is about more than the game itself – it’s about the friendships, energy and sense of belonging that come with playing together.
Gold Coast
Padel Gold Coast, Carrara: Padel Gold Coast is one of Australia’s longest-standing dedicated padel clubs. Founded and operated by two-time Australian captain and national team representative Ross Taylor, the club was formed with a vision to create a place where players can play, learn and belong. Home to six state-of-the-art outdoor courts, the club has more than 260 members and offers unlimited court hire, coaching, social sessions, tournaments and leagues for players of all ages and abilities. Beyond the courts, members can enjoy LED night lighting, family-friendly seating, chill-out areas, a ping-pong table, dog-friendly sidelines, plus a pro shop and cafe, making Padel Gold Coast as much a community hub as it is a place to play.
Gold Coast Racquet Club, Robina: Set to open in September, Gold Coast Racquet is a premium padel and pickleball destination, bringing sport, hospitality and community together under one roof. Featuring seven padel and six pickleball courts, the club will offer a licensed bar and cafe, pro shop, showers, private parking, coaching programs, social competitions and community events, with spaces designed for everyone from first-timers to competitive players. More than a place to play, Gold Coast Racquet aims to create a welcoming social club where people can meet friends, stay active and enjoy the atmosphere before and after a game, with limited Founding Memberships currently available ahead of opening.
Parkwood Padel Club, Parkwood: Parkwood Padel Club is set to become one of Australia’s premier padel destinations, purpose-built by some of the country’s most experienced operators to deliver a world-class playing, coaching and social experience. Located within the $300 million redevelopment of Parkwood Club on the Gold Coast, the venue will form part of a major lifestyle precinct featuring a surf park, retail, restaurants, cafés, accommodation and recreational facilities. Once complete, Parkwood Padel Club will feature five indoor doubles courts, one indoor singles court and two outdoor doubles courts, making it one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive padel venues, with innovation, community and excellence at its core.
PADLX, Burleigh Heads and Robina: Blending padel club and lifestyle destination, PADLX will be opening two locations on the Gold Coast this year. The first, taking shape just minutes from the beach on Kortum Drive in Burleigh Heads, is slated to open in October and will feature four premium outdoor courts, a pro shop, a cafe and bar, and wellness facilities. The team will then follow it up in November with PADLX Arundel, which will be equipped with eight indoor, climate-controlled courts for year-round activity. Both locations will offer professional coaching and structured competition for every level. Operating on an ethos of connection, all-are-welcome approachability and reliability, expect PADLX to be a big player on the southeast Queensland padel scene.
Padhaus, Molendinar: Set to open before the end of 2026, Padhaus is looking to unite sport, design and community under one roof. The indoor padel hub will offer eight world-class super panoramic courts, cafe, snack bar and social area, pro shop, private coaching and group sessions, on-site parking and more.
Icon Padel GC, Coomera: If you’re a padel pro or pickleball player, Icon Padel GC is looking to be your new go-to destination. Once up and running, this locale promises seven padel courts, three pickleball courts, a cafe and bar, and a pro shop. Register your interest here.
Sunshine Coast
Padelground, Forest Glen: Padelground is a new Sunshine Coast wellness club disguised as a padel club, founded by Brendon and Cristy Levenson. At its heart will sit seven indoor padel courts with AI replay cameras and Australia’s first perimeter lighting system, surrounded by a group training studio, sauna and cold plunge, cafe and licensed bar, pro shop and relaxed social spaces. Built around the idea that movement should feel like play, Padelground pairs coaching and social mixers with guided wellness sessions, creating a place where beginners and experienced players alike can meet, move and connect. The cafe and bar will serve coffee, gourmet pizzas, local craft beers and margaritas, while Queensland artists and local Sunshine Coast businesses have helped shape the club’s distinctive design. Founder memberships open on Monday August 17 ahead of a planned mid-September launch.
Ace Padel Clubs, Forest Glen: Ace Padel Clubs is a soon-to-open Sunshine Coast indoor padel club taking shape in Forest Glen, founded by husband-and-wife duo Drew and Anna after discovering the sport on a trip to Europe. With four premium indoor courts, a cafe and bar, pro shop, warm-up area, viewing lounges, showers and lockers, the club is designed to be more than a place to play – it’s a welcoming community hub where people can meet, stay active and connect. Open to all ages and skill levels, Ace Padel Clubs offers everything from beginner classes and private coaching to social sessions, casual court hire, weekly competitions and tournaments, with bookings available through the Playtomic app.
PadelClubhouse, Baringa: Founded by best friends Thomas Devine and Matthew Schuil, PadelClubhouse is a new indoor sports club bringing together three panoramic padel courts, three pickleball courts and two TrackMan golf bays under one roof in Baringa. Designed for all ages and skill levels, PadelClubhouse is built as much around connection as competition, with coaching, social competitions, AI match cameras, a pro shop, cafe and bar, mezzanine lounge, function room and outdoor beer garden. Once open, PadelClubhouse will operate daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, offering equipment hire and membership options, while its cafe will serve coffee, biltong, smoothies and healthy snacks, with four taps pouring local beers.
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