Brighton & Hove’s growing community of padel players will soon have access to the city’s first indoor courts, as four new indoor padel courts are set to open at Withdean Sports Complex this autumn.
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The courts will be installed as part of a joint project between Brighton & Hove City Council and its leisure partner, Freedom Leisure, in response to the soaring demand for padel – widely recognised as the world’s fastest-growing sport. The new facilities come just months after a popular outdoor padel venue opened at Hove Beach Park.
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Work on the indoor courts is due to begin in August, with the courts expected to be ready for play by September. The new indoor facility will also include a court for pickleball – another rapidly growing sport.
Funding for the project is being provided by Game4Padel, the operator behind the city’s existing padel courts, meaning the development comes at no cost to the council. The courts will be housed within the current indoor sports hall at Withdean, replacing two underused indoor tennis courts.
Freedom Leisure and the council made the decision following a detailed review of usage patterns, consultation with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and wider engagement around the future of racket sports in the city. The review revealed that the indoor tennis courts at Withdean are typically used only around a third of the time they are available, while demand for padel continues to outstrip supply.
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To maintain a strong tennis offer at Withdean, an additional outdoor tennis court is currently being added to the three existing outdoor courts, which are equipped with floodlights, windbreaks, and good drainage. Coaching sessions for adults and juniors will continue as normal.
Across Brighton & Hove, there are more than 50 publicly accessible tennis courts on council-owned sites.
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sports, Recreation and Libraries, said: “This is fantastic news for local padel players and anyone who would like to try the sport but has struggled to access a court.
“Padel is an incredibly inclusive sport and is proving very successful at helping people get active and stay healthy. It’s also a great way to socialise. Simply put, the more courts we have, the better we can meet the huge demand for court time.
“We know some people will be disappointed by the reduction in indoor tennis courts at Withdean, but the data shows they are significantly underused. With padel courts in such high demand, we must make fair, evidence-based decisions about how best to use our sports facilities.
“We’re committed to investing in leisure and expanding access to a wide variety of sports, and these new courts are another step forward.”
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The new facilities are part of the council’s broader mission to support residents’ health and wellbeing by encouraging regular physical activity through accessible, inclusive sport.
What is Padel?
Padel is a fast-paced racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, it uses solid bats and a slightly pressurised ball. The walls are part of the game, creating long rallies and exciting angles. Easy to learn and fun for all ages and abilities, padel is known for being highly sociable and accessible – which is why it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular sports in the UK and around the world.
Website: LTA Padel
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a fun and fast-growing sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played with paddles and a lightweight perforated ball, the game takes place on a small court and can be enjoyed as singles or doubles. It’s easy to pick up, making it ideal for beginners, yet offers plenty of strategy and challenge for more experienced players. Popular with all age groups, pickleball is praised for being low-impact, highly sociable, and great for improving fitness and coordination.
Website: Pickleball England
