Events

TIA UK organises a number of unique networking events each year for members and for all those companies and organisations involved in the business of tennis, padel and pickleball

Next events in 2026:

Xmas Lunch – Wednesday 2nd December 2026 with Andrew Castle. Register your interest.

2026 Spring Forum

The Tennis Padel Pickleball Business Forum hosted by TIA Business Partner Pinsent Masons LLP took place in April 2026. In its new ‘board room’ format, the Forum was very successful based on feedback received and the overall collaborative environment achieved.

During the meeting, LTA representatives Sharon Orrell, Steve Yeardley and Tom Murray provided an update on padel infrastructure and activity. Their presentation can be found at the end of this report See below for some of the key issues and outcomes discussed

Padel Market Growth & Infrastructure

UK padel infrastructure: ~1,800 courts, approaching 1 million players according to the LTA (doubled year-on-year) This is those who have played at least once in the past year
Moving from scarcity to abundance in major cities (Manchester, London, Bristol)
- Brighton still scarce: only 2 venues for 350k population
- Pricing pressure emerging as operators compete for players
Planning pipeline shows continued explosive growth since 2021
Geographic shift: investment moving from affluent areas (IMD 8-10) toward less affluent regions (IMD 1-4)
- LTA strategically mapping with local authorities to avoid oversaturation

Market Sustainability Challenges

Operators initially modeled on £60-80/hour pricing assumptions now under pressure
Price sensitivity research shows gap between what operators charge vs. what players want to pay
Off-peak pricing (2-5pm) highly volatile as venues seek optimal rates
Venue differentiation becoming critical as infrastructure increases
- Risk of purely functional “build it and they will come” approach
- Need for culture, mission, sense of place beyond just courts
Comparison to low-cost gym sector evolution: risk of facility creep vs. core offering focus

Technology & Operations

Court booking systems major pain point for multi-sport venues
- ClubSpark works well for smaller tennis clubs, struggles with larger/complex operations
- Many venues running 2-5 separate systems that don’t communicate
- “Manage Our Club” emerging as comprehensive solution covering courts, membership, coaching, reporting
Playtonic dominance (80% UK market) but growing operator frustration
- Zero club integration: payments/communication bypass venue entirely
- Leveling system inaccurate, creating poor player experiences
- Clubs seeking to own customer data and relationships

Smart Court Technology Adoption

Electronic line calling main driver in US/Scandinavia markets
UK adoption slower due to infrastructure requirements (stable internet, hard network cables)
Padel venues more likely to adopt than tennis (cultural fit, negligible additional cost for new builds)
Key considerations: permanent vs. temporary systems, video vs. stats-only, coaching integration
Rural venues exploring satellite internet (SpaceX) for faster, cheaper connectivity

LTA Strategy & Market Position

860k padel players in Britain (quadrupled in 2 years), 30% play monthly vs. 45% in tennis
60-70% of padel players also play tennis; 30% padel-only
Junior participation low: <10% of padel players under 16 (vs. 40% in tennis)
LTA supporting both private operators and tennis club development
- Facility loan scheme for tennis clubs adding padel
- 38 of 44 multi-site operators attended recent forum (750 courts represented)

Venue Operations & Player Experience

Dedicated padel venues leading inclusivity initiatives (women/girls, disabilities, community engagement)
Tennis clubs slower to develop padel-specific programming
Maintenance critical safety issue: glass fixings need quarterly checks minimum
Injury rates: 28% of players report musculoskeletal injury within first year
- Equipment education needed (bat weight/type selection)
- Warm-up protocols lacking in pay-and-play model

Infrastructure & Planning Considerations

Noise remains primary planning objection despite mitigation options available
Ceiling height becoming competitive differentiator (15m vs. previous 6-7m standard)
Golf clubs emerging as major growth opportunity (land, parking, infrastructure already available)
Accessibility requirements often dismissed by design teams, need upstream education

Market Positioning vs. Tennis

Padel more male-dominated than tennis, seasonal preferences vary
Tennis clubs reporting minimal negative impact from local padel venues
Some positive spillover: padel players accessing tennis programs when padel courts converted
Need to maintain tennis accessibility and social aspects to compete with padel’s “easy to play” appeal

International Comparisons & Learnings

UK last major European market to adopt padel (after Netherlands, Belgium, France)
Spain model: clubs under 6 courts struggling, 6+ court hubs surviving pricing wars
Sweden experience: private operators consolidating/failing as market matures
Tennis federations across Europe absorbing independent padel bodies

There were over 30 members attending the annual Summer Social and AGM held at the National Tennis Centre on July 2nd.

Jonathan Booth (Sunbaba) and Jake Whalley (MRH Sport/Bullpadel) were elected to the Board of Directors following the resignations of Jan Booth and Rob McCowen. Given the growing inter-connection between suppliers, clubs and venues in tennis, padel and pickleball, the meeting also agreed to increase the number of Directors from 5 to 7 to allow for enhanced involvement of sector-specific interests.

Following the formal business, there was an update from Jill Osleger and John Golding of the LTA on the structure of tennis and padel in GB and the changing role of County Associations.

The LTA presentation can be downloaded below

Attendees were treated to a fine lunch and many then travelled to Wimbledon, curtesy of the LTA.

Download the LTA Structure of Tennis & Padel in GB presentation