How to Grow Your Padel Club Membership in the UK: Proven Strategies That Work
- Padel Consulting
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 23
STEP by STEP Guide 2025 How to Grow Your Padel Club Membership in the UK
Padel is experiencing explosive growth worldwide, and the UK is no exception. Dozens of new courts are opening every month, attracting players from tennis, squash, and even complete beginners who are drawn to padel’s social and inclusive appeal.
But building courts is only the beginning. The real challenge for investors, developers, and operators is ensuring that those courts are filled consistently, creating sustainable revenue and a thriving community.
Does the same strategy work for every club? Absolutely not. That would be like saying all restaurants are the same. To succeed, each padel club must differentiate itself from the one next door — by tailoring its offer, its marketing, and its community-building efforts.
So, how do you grow your padel club in the UK and increase membership sustainably?
In this short guide, we’ll share proven strategies: starting with the importance of a strategic marketing and sponsorship plan, then moving into practical tactics such as promotions, digital tools, academies, referral programmes, community events, and partnerships.
1. Develop a Strategic Marketing & Sponsorship Plan
Building courts and offering memberships isn’t enough; a club needs a data-driven marketing plan and a sponsorship/partnership strategy to ensure long-term growth.
Marketing Plan Essentials
Localised campaigns (social ads, PR, influencers)
Clear KPIs for acquisition, retention, and ROI
Storytelling to differentiate your club from competitors
Sponsorship Opportunities
Naming rights for courts, tournaments, academies
Multi-tier packages (bronze, silver, gold)
Partnerships with sportswear, beverage, and local businesses
For some clubs, particularly those with strong event visibility or solid local partnerships, sponsorships can account for as much as 25% of annual revenue.
2. Strategic Promotions to Attract Players
When a club first opens, visibility is key. Launching with attractive promotions helps remove barriers for new players and creates buzz in your community.
Tactics That Work
Introductory deals: e.g. “3 sessions for £20”
Family & group packages: encouraging multi-member sign-ups
Off-peak discounts: filling courts during weekday mornings or afternoons
Case study: A London-based club increased membership by 25% in 3 months by combining referral bonuses with a strong introductory package.
Promotion Type | Estimated Cost | Potential ROI (3 months) |
Intro Offer (3×£20) | £500–£800 | +20–25% new members |
Family/Group Package | £1,000 | +15% retention |
Off-Peak Discounts | £300 | Higher court utilisation |
3. Digital Booking, CRM & Club Management Systems
In today’s digital-first market, padel clubs without an online booking and management system stand to lose. Members expect to reserve courts, make payments, and receive communication — all through a seamless digital experience.
But having just a booking app is no longer enough. A serious, future-oriented club should invest in a performant booking app system with an integrated club management platform that becomes the single source of truth for all operations. From this central system, clubs can manage memberships, payments, accounting, events — and even integrate more than one booking app when needed. This way, a club maintains visibility on multiple marketplaces while keeping operations centralised and efficient.
Why Integrated Systems Make a Difference
24/7 Booking & Payments
Group Coordination Made Easy
Centralized Communications (reminders, promotions, notifications)
Data-Driven Insights for better retention strategies
Multi-channel Integration: the ability to connect multiple booking apps into one centralised management system
Example: A leading UK club saw a 40% reduction in admin costs and a 30% increase in active players after implementing a digital booking and management platform.
Key Insight: Clubs using integrated digital booking and management systems typically retain 30–40% more members than those operating manually — and those with a proprietary management layer gain even more control, flexibility, and scalability.
4. Build a Padel Academy in your Club
An academy transforms your club from a place to play into a place to learn and grow.
Why It Works
Encourages long-term loyalty (especially families)
Positions your club as an education hub
Creates monthly membership packages (lessons + play time)
Estimated Costs
Resource | Cost Range | ROI Potential |
Coaches | £1,500–£3,000/mo | Long-term loyalty & retention |
Equipment | £500–£1,000 | Recurring revenue |
Spanish model: In Spain, padel academies generate up to 70% of total club revenue. Replicating even part of this model in the UK ensures sustainable growth.
5. Referral Programmes & Word of Mouth to grow
Padel is social by nature. Leveraging that through referral programmes can multiply growth with little cost.
How to Do It
Offer one free lesson or a month’s membership for each friend brought in
Reward both the referrer and the new member
Promote through email and in-club signage
Example: A Surrey club generated 40% of new members via a referral programme in its first year.
Key Insight: Referral programmes = low cost, high ROI.
6. Events & Community Building
Events are essential for both visibility and retention.
Event Types That Work
Amateur & corporate tournaments
Social mixers (Padel + Music + Prosecco)
Corporate team-building events
Impact: Clubs running monthly events report retention rates 15% higher than those that don’t.
Tip: Position your events as “not just tournaments, but experiences.”
7. Partnerships & Local Marketing
Your padel club doesn’t exist in isolation. Collaborations extend your reach.
Ideas
Partner with local gyms, schools, universities
Collaborate with wellness brands (nutrition, sportswear)
Cross-promote with cafés, coworking spaces, and community centres
Example: A Midlands club partnered with a local gym, offering bundled memberships, leading to a 12% crossover increase in members.
Growing a padel club in the UK requires a balance of attracting new players and retaining existing ones. Promotions, digital tools, academies, referrals, events, and partnerships all play a role. But the clubs that thrive long-term are those that also invest in a strategic marketing and sponsorship plan, ensuring multiple income streams and strong visibility.
Want to grow your padel club in the UK? Contact us today to request a free consultation and discover how we can help you increase padel membership, build loyalty, and secure long-term growth.
FAQ
❓ How can I grow my padel club membership in the UK?
Combine promotions, digital booking, a padel academy, referral programmes, events, and a strategic marketing & sponsorship plan.
❓ What is the most cost-effective way to increase padel membership in the UK? Referral programmes and introductory offers. They require minimal investment and deliver ROI within 2–3 months.
❓ Do digital tools really help padel clubs grow in the UK?
Yes. Affordable solutions like Wansport streamline bookings, payments, and communications. Clubs using such systems typically retain 30–40% more members and reduce admin costs significantly.
❓ Are events important for growing a padel club?
Absolutely. Social and corporate events improve visibility and foster community, boosting retention rates.
❓ Why is a marketing and sponsorship plan essential?
Because it ensures diversified revenue streams, financial security, and a stronger brand identity, making your club more competitive.
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