What does it really take to build a successful padel club?
With padel courts popping up across South Africa, the big question for potential investors is simple: is building a padel club a smart investment or a risky gamble?
We chat to Francois De Ru of Techno Padel, a court constructor and co-owner of six padel clubs, to get the inside track on what goes into building and running a successful facility.
From site selection and construction costs to court orientation, maintenance, indoor requirements and profitability, Francois shares the lessons learned from installing more than 140 courts across South Africa and Africa.
And while the investment can be significant, his message to prospective club owners is clear: location matters, player experience matters — and ultimately, feet on the courts drive the business.
Thinking about getting into the padel business? Before you break ground, read this.