Slazenger Padel Club is set to open in Swindon on Monday, offering residents access to what is widely described as one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Ahead of the launch on Monday 29th December 2026, Swindon24 was invited to preview the site and speak to club manager Chris Ashton, Assistant Club Manager Rob Negus and Tim Howe from Longevity Games.
The facility includes eight indoor padel courts and two dedicated pickleball courts, along with a cafe bar, changing rooms and showers.
Chris Ashton, Club Manager, said:
“The excitement is there from Swindon.”
“People can’t wait to have another offering for people to be able to enjoy the sport. It will be good for the town and the surrounding areas.”
He said the club has been designed to be accessible, with both membership and pay-as-you-go options available for players.
Chris said:
“Everyone’s welcome from the local area. We invite people to come down and try it.”
“We run lots of taster sessions because we just want to build a nice, strong community within Swindon.”
Ashton said the venue’s indoor courts and competitive ambitions help set it apart from other facilities.
“These are the highest quality standard of courts, fully indoors, so you can play all year round and you’re not at the mercy of the weather.”
He also explained the appeal of both sports for newcomers.
“You’ve got the glass panels around the court so you can play off the wall. It’s very fast paced and very exciting.”
“Pickleball, on the other hand, is incredibly inclusive, and anyone can do it from any age.”
Assistant Club Manager Rob Negus said padel’s accessibility has played a major role in its rapid growth.
A former professional tennis player, he believes many people are surprised by how quickly they can start playing.
Rob said:
“In my opinion, it’s easier than tennis to play.”“The biggest difference is getting used to playing off the glass. The technique is slightly different, but most squash and tennis players really enjoy it.”
He added that beginners often take to the sport quickly.
“I would say it’s easy to pick up, it’s one bounce, and that’s it. Once people get used to the walls, they tend to love it.”
Tim Howe, Founder of Longevity Games, said the new venue could play an important role in supporting health and wellbeing across Swindon.
He highlighted the benefits of racket sports for people of all ages.
“One of the things that’s quite apparent with racket sports is how good they are from an impact point of view.”
“You can do it with families, you can do it in whatever age group.”
He also pointed to the social benefits of venues like this.
“It’s not just the physical side, it’s the social interaction as well, and that’s fundamentally important.”
“From a community point of view, this is a great facility, it’s on people’s doorstep, and parking isn’t a worry.”
Howe said tackling inactivity requires a range of options rather than a single solution.
“We’ve got a crisis in Swindon with people not being active.”
“There isn’t one solution for everybody. It might be walking, it might be netball, it might be pickleball or padel. It’s about finding those different things and bringing people together.”
The opening of Swindon Padel Club marks a new addition to the town’s leisure offer, with a focus on inclusivity, competition and community participation.
Manager Chris Ashton said the club was keen to remove barriers for people trying padel or pickleball for the first time.
“You don’t have to be a member. You can come down, book through our system and just try everything. We also run a lot of free intro to padel sessions, completely free of charge. You just need to bring yourselves, we’ll provide everything.”
For those looking to play regularly, Ashton explained that the most popular option ahead of opening has been the founding membership.
“It’s definitely our gold founding membership because that’s where you get the most value. We double your court credits back, give 20 per cent off court fees, food and beverage and the pro shop, and there’s no expiration date on the credits.”
He added that typical court costs vary depending on time and format.
“Normal court fees can range from about six pounds per person up to around fifteen pounds per person.”
