Padel
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What is Padel?
Think tennis, but faster and easier to learn. You play in pairs on a smaller court, surrounded by walls that keep the ball in play for longer rallies. It's less about power and more about strategy, quick reactions, and teamwork, a sport anyone can pick up, at any age or skill level.
Court bookings
Our 2 outdoor courts are available in one-hour slots from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm on the weekend
- Located at the Sports Centre, West Cambridge
Members:
Book via the CamUniSport app.
Non-members:
Sign up for our Pay As You Train Membership, free to join, then pay per session/court.
Court pricing
| Booking type | Price |
|---|---|
| Cambridge Sport or Padel Member (14-day advance booking) | £28 per hour |
| Non-member (7-day advance booking) | £36 per hour |
| University of Cambridge Student (7-day advance booking) | £28 per hour |
| Racket hire | Free |
| Balls (tube of 3) | £7 |
| Used padel ball | £2 |
Booking conditions
If at least one person in your group is a member, the court can be booked at the member rate. That member must be present and check in at reception before play begins.
Cancellations
Plans change, and so does the weather.
Members can cancel via My Bookings on the CamUniSport app.
Pay As You Train members, please call the reception team on 01223 336580 to cancel.
- More than 2 hours before your booking: you'll get a credit for a future booking
- Within 2 hours of your booking: the booking is non-refundable
If severe weather makes courts unsafe to play on, we'll contact you to offer a credit or a full refund.
Padel Membership
Enjoy member rates and advance bookings, designed for regular players who want more time on court.
Discover more member benefits here.
Group Coaching
Introduction to Padel
In 60 minutes, our coaches will get you up to speed on the rules, hitting your first shots, and playing a game, even if you've never played a racket sport before.
- Pricing: Free for Cambridge Sport and Padel members
- £5 per person for non-members
- Bookable 7 days in advance
Book an Introduction to Padel session
Coaching for all levels
Open to members and non-members, with group sessions running throughout the week, from beginner and improver, through to low and high intermediate, and advanced.
Sessions are delivered by our qualified coaches, who'll assess your technique and guide you through practice to help you improve.
- Pricing: From £12 per person
- Booking: Check availability on the CamUniSport app, or search "padel coaching" in the activity finder.
- Bookable 7 days in advance.
Personalised 1-to-1 coaching
Get the coach's full attention, with sessions tailored to your goals and skill level. Whether you're refining technique or working on strategy, this is the fastest way to see real improvement on court.
Pricing: £50 per hour
Booking: Check availability on the CamUniSport app, or search "padel coaching one to one" in the activity finder.
- Bookable 7 days in advance.
Padel Open
No partner? No problem. Drop in on Mondays and get matched with other players for a fun, social game of padel, a great way to meet new people and play*.
*If you're completely new to padel, we'd recommend starting with our group coaching sessions first, a great way to build confidence and pick up the basics before jumping in.
- When: Mondays, 10am to 11am, 6pm to 7pm, and 7pm to 8pm
- Pricing: Free for Cambridge Sport and Padel members, or £5 for non-members via Pay As You Train.
- Booking: Check availability on the CamUniSport app.
- Bookable 7 days in advance.
Padel Frequently Asked Questions
No, our padel courts are open to everyone. Membership simply gets you a discounted rate and an extended booking window.
Our Padel WhatsApp Communities connect you with other players, grouped by ability, using LTA guidelines.
Join the WhatsApp community by emailing James.Powley@sport.cam.ac.uk
Padel Whatsapp Community Code of Conduct.pdf (55.71 KB)
Yes, court hire includes padel racket hire, and balls are available to purchase for £7 (tube of 3) if you don't have your own.
Absolutely. Our "Introduction to Padel" sessions are a great starting point: 60 minutes, with the first half covering rules and technique, and the second half for game play. These sessions are free for Cambridge Sport and Padel members (£5 for non-members). Book via the CamUniSport app.
Book via the Cam Uni Sport App - select Bookings, then padel.
Courts are available in one-hour slots from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm on the weekend.
Yes, we run a socially competitive padel league, letting you play against others of a similar ability and work your way up the system. You can register your interest as an individual or a pair. Email James.powley@sport.cam.ac.uk to register your interest for the next round.
Members can book courts at a discounted rate and up to 14 days in advance, compared to 7 days for non-members. Find out more here.
Comfortable sportswear and non-marking court shoes. Trainers designed for tennis or padel offer the best grip and support for the sport's quick, lateral movements.
We're excited to partner with Top Spin Tennis, to provide you with retail options for not only padel, but all racket sports played here at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre.
Top Spin Tennis has three stores: Hills Road and Wilberforce Road in Cambridge, plus Lime Tree Road in Norwich.
As a University of Cambridge Sport or Padel member, you also get 5% off any qualifying purchase.