Why it’s so hard to book a padel court (and how to find one)
If you’ve tried to book a padel court lately and found everything full for days, you’re not alone. Across many cities, demand for padel has exploded faster than new courts can be built. What started as a niche sport is now one of the fastest-growing recreational activities in the world — and local clubs are struggling to keep up.
So why is it so difficult to book a court, and what can you actually do about it?
Why padel courts are fully booked
There are a few simple economics and logistics reasons behind the frustration:
| Reason | What’s happening | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Demand exploded overnight | Padel went from a few regulars to hundreds of players per club within months. | Clubs are booked solid every evening and weekend. |
| Limited court space | Unlike tennis, most padel venues have only 3–5 courts due to space and cost. | Each court can only host 4 players per hour, limiting total capacity. |
| Slow construction approvals | Building new courts often requires permits, sound studies, and zoning changes. | Even motivated owners face 6–12 months before opening. |
| Pricing hesitation | Many clubs avoid raising prices because padel markets are still forming. | This keeps demand artificially high at peak hours. |
| Peak-time bottleneck | Most players only book 18:00–21:00 slots. | Courts sit empty midday, but evenings are overrun. |
In short, the problem isn’t that padel clubs don’t want your business — it’s that they simply can’t scale fast enough to meet a massive new wave of players.
What you can do right now
If your local booking app is always showing “fully booked,” these strategies can help:
Book earlier than you think.
Some clubs open bookings 2–3 weeks in advance — add a reminder in your phone the minute slots open.Play off-peak hours.
Early mornings, lunchtime, or mid-afternoon sessions are usually open (and cheaper). Perfect for students or remote workers.Use multiple apps.
Many cities use different platforms (Playtomic, Matchi, CourtReserve). Don’t limit yourself to one — explore all local listings.Join local padel WhatsApp or Facebook groups.
Players often post last-minute cancellations or look for one more to fill a game. Great way to sneak in extra sessions.Try drop-in or Americano events.
Many clubs run weekly open matches where you can show up solo. You’ll meet new players and skip the booking fight.Ask about waitlists or notifications.
Some booking systems notify you when a slot opens. Enable these alerts — they fill up within minutes.
Why clubs aren’t just raising prices
It’s tempting to think, “Why don’t they just charge more?” But most clubs worry about alienating new players before the market stabilizes. Instead, they prefer steady long-term growth over short-term profit spikes. The same logic explains why few clubs build rapidly — construction costs are high, and trends can change fast.
Expect the situation to balance out soon. As investors and municipalities catch on, new courts are being built everywhere, and the next 12–18 months should ease the crunch.
The silver lining
This booking chaos is a sign of something good: padel is booming. Every full court means more people discovering the sport, more clubs being built, and more opportunities in the future.
Until then, a bit of planning and flexibility goes a long way. And who knows — one of those early morning sessions might become your new secret weapon for improving faster than everyone else waiting for a prime-time slot.
If you want to find where to play (or even discover new clubs near you), check these guides:
Find more tips, court listings, and club updates at WhatThePadel.com.