Game On: Indoor Padel Club Opens Near Grand Union, Wembley

Just a ten-minute cycle from Grand Union, a major new sports destination is opening, bringing one of the world’s fastest-growing games to the area.

This comes in the form of the Racketeer, a new indoor padel club in Park Royal, London, which is set to become the UK’s largest indoor racket sports venue.

Created by the team behind California’s popular PicklePop brand, the 90,000 sq ft facility, opening in mid-December 2025, will feature 12 state-of-the-art wheel-chair accessible padel courts, flexible pickleball courts, and a pro-shop with equipment available to hire or buy.

Racketeer: More Than Just Padel Courts

After a game, you can head to the café for freshly-made pizzas, sandwiches, salads and smoothies, or unwind with cocktails in the lounge area. Throughout the year, the venue will also host collaborations with local artists and sustainable fashion makers, adding a creative, community-focused dimension to the experience.

How Do You Play Padel?

Padel is played on an enclosed court roughly one-third the size of a tennis court, with glass walls and mesh fencing that keep the ball in play for longer rallies. The game is typically played in doubles, making it highly social and fast-paced. Players use solid, perforated rackets and a low-compression tennis ball, serving underhand into the opponent’s box.

One of the unique aspects of padel is that the walls are part of the game, similar to squash - so balls can rebound off them, creating exciting angles and extended rallies. Scoring follows traditional tennis rules, but the emphasis is on strategy and positioning rather than sheer power, making it accessible for beginners and challenging for experienced players.

What is Padel and Why is It So Popular?

Padel combines the fast-paced intensity of squash with the tactical strategy of tennis. Sociable, accessible and highly addictive, it’s perfect for newcomers and seasoned athletes alike. 

Games are short, rules are intuitive, and the format encourages plenty of rallying, making it easy to pick up, but impossible to put down.

The Rise of Padel in the UK

Invented in Mexico in 1969, padel went on to become hugely popular in Spain, where participation now outstrips the country’s beloved game of football in some areas. 

In the UK, growth has been explosive too. In the 12 months leading up to December 2024, player numbers almost doubled from 129,000 to 235,000, and today more than 400,000 players enjoy the sport across around 1,000 courts nationwide.

This includes high-profile figures including David Beckham, Stormzy and Peter Crouch, all of whom have embraced the sport, helping cement its reputation. 

The Lawn Tennis Association officially calls padel “the world’s fastest-growing sport,” and it’s easy to see why.

Why Racketeer is a Game-Changer for Grand Union Residents

Life in London is busy, and finding ways to stay active whilst also socialising and working can sometimes feel like a challenge.

Whether you’re heading to the Anytime Fitness gym at Grand Union, going for a run along the canal or squeezing in a yoga session at the Community Hub, having options close to home makes it easier to integrate fitness into your week. And now, with professional padel courts just a 10 minute cycle away, staying active can be even more fun and social. 

Whether you’re an experienced racquet player, keen to try something different, or just looking for a social way to stay active, the Racketeer offers a new option right on your doorstep at Grand Union. 

Disclaimers

Photo by Marcia Salido, Pexels