'UK's fastest growing sport' - Major update on exciting plans for new facility at Blackpool Sports Centre
Padel, one of the world’s fastest growing sports, is to get another outlet in Blackpool.
Blackpool looks set to play host to another facility for one of the world’s fastest growing sports.
The council has given permission for land next door to Blackpool Sports Centre to be used for padel. Padel - a racquet sport which combines elements of tennis and squash - has been a huge success in the UK over the last couple of years with facilities opening throughout the country.
Fylde Council this year gave the go ahead for a padel centre on the former Howdens site on Scafell Road, St Annes, and the site, which includes five indoor courts opened for business last week. Now Manchester-based Soul Padel has been granted permission to lease land near the sports centre, on West Park Drive to start a padel operation.
Their application - which was agreed this week - follows a call from Blackpool Council for padel court operators to apply to open up in the resort. The new facility will join other padel centres such as Just Padel on Squires Gate Lane, South Shore.
The game is also played at council-run sports centres in the town and across Fylde. The sport is believed to have originated in Mexico in 1968 when Enrique Corcuera modified his squash court so he could play tennis.
In the last decade, the sport has become hugely popular throughout the world and is expected to be included in the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. It is the second most popular participation sport in Spain, after football, and is played by two players on each side of the court.
Underutilised land
Soul Padel’s application was picked after operators submitted their applications to lease the land to the council.
A council report said: “The proposal will secure the delivery of a new padel facility at Blackpool Sports Centre, supporting the Council’s objectives for sport, leisure, health, wellbeing and community participation.
“The scheme will bring underutilised land into active use and provide an additional leisure offer within the Stanley Park and Blackpool Sports Centre setting.
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“The facility will be designed, funded, constructed, operated and maintained by the tenant, with no capital contribution required from the Council. The letting will generate a revenue income for the Council.”
The report adds that the council could create their own padel facility but that leasing the land would be the cheaper option.
It added: “The Council could seek to deliver a padel facility directly; however, this would require capital investment and expose the Council to development, planning, construction and operational risk. This is not considered an appropriate use of resources in this instance.”
A spokesman for Soul Padel - which has centre’s in Greater Manchester, including Stockport - said: “Padel is more than just a game; it’s a celebration of connection and competition, played in doubles for twice the fun.
“Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a curious beginner, or just looking for a new way to connect with family and friends, our courts are your playground. At Soul Padel, we’re not just a venue – we’re a hub for meeting, playing, and building the community.”