Why it matters: The expansion responds to rapidly growing demand for padel, with the club doubling its footfall of members and non-members over the past year since introducing its first pop-up court.
The details: Work on the new courts is scheduled to begin this October or November, with completion expected by spring 2026. The pop-up court will be temporarily relocated during construction to ensure play continues with minimal disruption to current members.
Padel court hire will remain "competitively priced" and available to both members and non-members, the club says.
What they're saying: Alison Hosford, chair of the club, said: "Padel is the fastest growing sport in Europe and is gaining momentum across the UK. It is accessible, social, and less technical than tennis, making it hugely appealing across all ages."
Jon Tuppen, club secretary who heads up the project, said: "We're delighted to be bringing world-class padel facilities to our members and the wider community. This expansion reflects both the popularity of the sport and our ambition to provide outstanding opportunities for people of all ages to get involved."
The bigger picture: Padel participation in the UK trebled last year, with over 400,000 adults and juniors playing the sport at least once in the preceding 12 months, according to LTA figures. The national governing body's figures show participation has risen from just 15,000 players in 2019 to 129,000 at the end of 2023, before reaching 400,000 last year.
Sport England, using a different metric, recorded the number of adults who play twice monthly as doubling from 23,000 in 2022-23 to 51,000 in 2023-24. This growth is supported by rapidly expanding infrastructure, with 893 padel courts now available at 300 venues across Britain.
The expansion strengthens Ipswich Sports Club's appeal to younger players, a key demographic in padel's growth. With expert coaching available, opportunities for tournaments, and plans for sponsorship across the new courts, the club is positioning itself as a hub for padel in the region.
For context: Ipswich Sports Club, part of the Suffolk community for over 150 years, operates as a Community Amateur Sports Club with George Burley as president.
The bottom line: Construction will begin within weeks, delivering covered courts that allow play in all weather conditions by spring 2026, as the 150-year-old club adapts its facilities to accommodate padel's growing popularity.
