From Malls to Mega-Clubs: How Lifestyle Padel Hubs Are Redefining Sport in America
By Padel Content Team
Step aside, pickleball. There's a new social sport in town—and it's taking over not just courts, but cafés, yoga studios, and even shopping malls.
When you walk into Alma Padel in Glenview, Illinois, it doesn’t feel like a gym. There’s ambient lighting, a smoothie bar, yoga mats in the corner, and the smell of fresh espresso brewing. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, making the experience genuinely fun for participants of all levels.
Then the unmistakable sounds: the pop-pop of padel balls, the echoes off the glass walls, and laughter from the lounge as two teams toast post-match. The club environment and playing padel naturally foster social interaction, helping to reduce stress and support mental health by building connections and providing a positive, enjoyable escape. This is the future of sport in America—welcome to the lifestyle padel hub
What Is a Lifestyle Padel Hub?
It’s a venue where playing padel is just one part of the experience. These new-age clubs combine:
Court time with wellness amenities
Food and beverage spaces
Family programs and kids’ classes, highlighting the accessibility of padel for all ages, including children
Community events, networking nights, and tournaments
These hubs are designed to be accessible and welcoming to people of all ages, making padel an ideal activity for children and families.
In other words, padel is the magnet—but lifestyle is the glue.
Where It’s Happening
🔴 Miami: America’s First Padel Mega-Campus
Opening in December 2025, this 2-acre Miami facility will feature:
11 outdoor padel courts
2 kids-only courts
A restaurant, training center, and rooftop bar This isn’t just a club. It’s a city-block padel campus.
The launch of this mega-campus highlights the exponential growth and rapid rise of padel in Miami, reflecting the sport's remarkable growth and increasing popularity throughout the region.
🔵 Glenview, IL: Alma Padel Redefines the Suburbs
4 indoor courts, a smoothie lounge, yoga rooms, and event space—Alma is turning racket sports into a lifestyle brand.
Regular practice at Alma Padel offers significant physical and fitness benefits, helping members improve their physical health, overall fitness, and well-being.
🟢 Stamford, CT: Mall Courts Are Here
In a move no one saw coming, Pickleball America launched the first U.S. padel court inside a shopping mall—capitalizing on empty retail space to create something wholly new.
This innovative approach directly responds to the growing demand for accessible and engaging sports like padel in urban areas, where space is limited and communities seek new recreational opportunities.
🟣 San Francisco: Waterfront Vibes
Bay Padel’s expansion to Pier 70 and Treasure Island signals the sport’s penetration into high-end, urban redevelopments. The growing popularity of padel in urban centers like San Francisco reflects its increasing appeal and adoption among city dwellers.
Why It’s Working
Modern players don’t want just a workout. They want a social experience, a lifestyle identity, a place where they can meet friends and maybe squeeze in a match between work and drinks.
In addition to the social aspect, the health and wellness benefits of padel—such as improved fitness, reduced stress, and overall health promotion—are key factors in its appeal to a wide range of players.
“The model is brilliant,” says Carlos Rivera, founder of a design consultancy for fitness spaces. “These clubs aren’t selling court time. They’re selling culture.”
And unlike tennis clubs, padel venues are more compact and cost-effective, allowing for easier urban and suburban integration
The New Business Model for Padel
Recurring revenue from coaching, gear, food, and drinks
Events and memberships with tiered access
Family-friendly programming like junior leagues and adult clinics
Qualified coaches lead each session and provide education to help players of all levels improve their skills.
Multi-use space—yoga, coworking, wellness workshops
It’s not just a game. It’s a place to live your life.
What’s Next?
Expect to see:
Rooftop clubs in NYC
Padel + co-working hybrids
Mobile courts at festivals
Virtual coaching apps powered by AI
These innovations will help players track and improve their performance by providing data-driven insights into their technical-tactical skills, fitness levels, and overall progress.