The Quiet Boom Behind Thailand’s Fastest-Growing Sport
On Bangkok’s eastern fringe, tucked between warehouses and rooftop gyms, glass-walled padel courts are lighting up the night. What began as an expat pastime has exploded into a booming industry — fueled by tourism, wellness, and entrepreneurial optimism.
Globally, padel clubs rose 26% year-on-year in 2024. Analysts forecast over 80,000 courts worldwide by 2027, up from roughly 40,000 today. Thailand, with fewer than 120 courts nationally, sits at the beginning of its curve — where the margins are best and the competition still thin.
“Padel is where CrossFit was ten years ago — a social sport turning into a business ecosystem,” says one Bangkok-based investor.
Padel’s formula is irresistible: a small footprint, low operating costs, and an addictive game that keeps customers coming back. The typical Bangkok club reaches full booking schedules within weeks of launch.
Why Investors Are Taking Notice
The economics are simple and brutal — and that’s why they work. Building a pair of outdoor padel courts costs 1.5–2.5 million THB each. With rental rates around 1,200–1,500 THB per hour and high utilization (25–40 hours weekly), owners can recoup capital within two years. After that, margins exceed most boutique gyms.
Thailand’s appeal goes beyond numbers. The country offers cheap land, a year-round playing climate, and a steady flow of tourists and expats who already understand the sport. Developers are quietly carving padel courts into mixed-use complexes — combining cafés, coworking spaces, and rooftop fitness — mirroring Spain’s “padel + lifestyle” model.
Lazudi’s commercial property data shows a surge in short-term warehouse conversions and rooftop leases in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit and Phra Khanong areas, targeting the padel sector.
“It’s the perfect hybrid asset: sports, social, and real estate,” notes a Lazudi consultant. “Yields are comparable to co-working spaces, with half the risk.”
How Thailand Became Asia’s Padel Testbed
Unlike tennis, padel doesn’t require elite training or expensive gear. That accessibility — and the sport’s social, doubles-based play — makes it perfect for Thailand’s leisure culture. Resorts from Phuket to Koh Samui are now marketing “padel retreats,” pairing fitness with tourism.
The Thailand Padel Association (TPA) has formalized rules, leagues, and coach certifications, signaling institutional support. Corporate teams are forming for internal tournaments, pushing the sport beyond recreation toward networking and brand activation.
For property developers, this is gold. A padel court adds perceived lifestyle value to mid-range residential and hospitality projects without major capital strain. A single court can elevate a project’s brand — especially in cities courting younger, active residents.
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The Real Estate Play
Padel’s expansion is inseparable from real estate. Developers who anticipated the fitness-community boom are now converting idle industrial lots into sport hubs. Lazudi notes rising demand for short-lease commercial sites (500–1,000 sqm) suited for 2–4-court builds.
Some investors are structuring hybrid models: leasing underutilized retail rooftops or warehouse plots with 3-year break clauses — minimizing capital exposure while testing the market. With Thailand’s limited zoning constraints for recreational facilities, setup remains fast and cost-efficient.
“The key is agility,” says a Bangkok entrepreneur who opened a 3-court venue in 2024. “You can test the market in months, not years — and pivot to other uses if needed.”
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A Market Still Wide Open
Compared with Europe, where padel saturation is starting to bite, Thailand remains in early-adopter territory. The gap between awareness and infrastructure is vast — ideal for strategic entrants who can balance sport management with hospitality.
The most successful operators are combining membership models, coaching academies, and event rentals to diversify revenue. With tournament sponsorships and tourism partnerships on the horizon, the ecosystem is moving fast.
“By 2027, we expect Bangkok to host regional qualifiers,” says a TPA spokesperson. “Padel will become a signature urban sport for Asia.”
Read next → “Thailand’s 2025 Hotel Boom: Six Cities, Six Icons Reframe the Post-Pandemic Luxury Map.”
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