Now that’s something we can get behind – floating padel tennis courts in Liverpool! A floating clubhouse and social deck is coming to Merseyside, after the site’s location has officially been confirmed this week.
Peel Waters has partnered with a team of international experts to build the new project. As a result, plans are set to be submitted this week to Liverpool City Council to create the UK’s first floating Padel Tennis courts and floating clubhouse within Princes Dock at Liverpool Waters.
The waterside regeneration specialists will be working alongside Ville Leisti, who is the Finnish founder and CEO of Floating Padel Oy, Tytti Sirola, CEO of Bluet Floating Solutions Oy Ltd., Gareth Evans, MD of Cheshire-based Padel Ventures, and Paul Danson, Founder of Imagineering Global.
The clubhouse designs boast not only floating padel tennis courts, but also social areas in the clubhouse, as well as a bar and kitchen and a retail shop “selling all the essentials for the sport, including rackets, balls, clothing, and shoes”.
What is more, guests are already able to enjoy Wyld Sauna, the UK’s first floating sauna at Princes Dock, which opened in November 2024.
The proposed opening date has not yet been announced, so watch this space!
What is padel tennis and why is it so popular?
Padel tennis is considered as the “fastest-growing sport in the world“, and is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash and is typically played in doubles. A highly social sport, it’s played on smaller courts with shorter games, accessible for all ages and skill levels, adding to its growing popularity.
The UK currently boasts over 700 Padel courts, however, Liverpool Waters will be the first floating Padel facility in the UK.
James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters, said: “We are really pleased to be bringing the UK’s first floating Padel courts to Liverpool Waters. This floating concept demonstrates the open approach we have at Peel Waters to welcoming innovative, new ideas and collaborating with forward-thinking businesses to use our portfolio as a testbed for unique, UK-first activations on water and the surrounding land.
“Padel is a fantastic, accessible activity and the social side of the sport is of upmost importance to us. We have thousands of residents, workers and visitors already on site at Liverpool Waters and we are constantly looking at new ways to connect-up the community and new activities for them to experience. This new facility will be an iconic, must-visit Padel destination both for Padel enthusiasts and general spectators encouraging more socialising, friendship forming and opportunities for the area.”