Padel In Dubai: The Best Courts To Play On This Winter

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Padel In Dubai: The Best Courts To Play On This Winter

15 Nov 2024

The growth of padel’s popularity has significantly boosted the padel infrastructure in the UAE, making it possible to play year-round, with both indoor and outdoor facilities available in almost every emirate. Many courts are not just sports venues; they have become social hubs, with spaces to grab a coffee and relax with friends.

Padel has become one of the most popular sports in the UAE. It was first introduced to the country by Sheikh Hamdan in 2013 and has since gained strong local support. A year later, the UAE Padel Association was founded to drive initiatives focused on the growth and promotion of the sport in the region. In 2023, UAEPA launched the Mashreq Padel Tour, a series of 20 professional padel tournaments held over eight months from February to December.

For those unfamiliar with the game, padel is a mix of tennis and squash, typically played in doubles (though honestly, I often play one-on-one — it is much more intense). A key feature is the glass back walls of the court, which can be used strategically during the game. Now padel is truly capturing the hearts of the people, so below is a list of the coolest outdoor padel courts to visit this winter.

Matcha Club

Matcha Club is probably the most Instagrammable padel club in Dubai. It features a lush, enclosed area with locker rooms and showers, a nice spacious cafe, a sports shop with branded merch and padel equipment (where you can also rent rackets and balls), and, of course, the courts themselves. Each court is nestled in its own green corner, ensuring minimal interference between players.

The design here is a major highlight — orange-coloured nets, palm trees, and a mix of wood and stone create a completely unique atmosphere. Recently, Matcha Club also introduced Pilates classes (they use specialised equipment for a full-body workout, going beyond traditional mat-based exercises). The club also regularly offers other sports and wellness activities like yoga and sound healing, so it is best to keep an eye on their schedule.

Instagram: @matchadxb

Ballers

Located in the heart of Dubai, Ballers is an outdoor sports space nestled in a park with views of the Burj Khalifa. It is a four-in-one facility featuring several padel courts, multiple football fields, a gym box, and a stretching studio. Whether you are here in the morning or evening, Ballers is always buzzing! With its slightly grunge-inspired vibe and an on-site café, it is perfect both for a morning coffee or an evening smoothie.

For beginner padel players, Ballers is ideal as there are a lot of options for personal training sessions. You can book a class with a coach on-site (though it is best to arrange it in advance), with prices varying based on whether it is a private or group lesson. So if you are new to the game, taking a class or two with a coach is a great way to work on your swing and get familiar with the rules.

Sky Padel

This is the iconic rooftop padel spot. It is much smaller in size compared to places like Matcha Club or Ballers, which adds a sense of exclusivity — no big crowds, so you feel quite relaxed and free. Sky Padel also has an on-site café where you can enjoy beautiful city views, especially at sunset. Positioned as more than just a place for padel, Sky Padel aims to create a community vibe, occasionally organising activities to encourage gathering with friends after a game, sharing coffee, and unwinding together in the evening.

Instagram: @skypadel.ae

Just Padel

Just Padel is a padel giant in the UAE, with 47 courts across 13 venues. The most popular of them is the padel court at Kite Beach — perfect for those who can not lay still on a sun bed for more than 30 minutes. The best time to play is at sunset — the weather is much cooler, and the view is incredible. Once a year, Just Padel hosts a tournament in different categories (based on your skill level), with winners competing for a total of 150,000 AED in prizes. Last year, the tournament took place from March 12 to April 1, so we still have time to prepare for the next one!

Club Padel

Another great and green spot for playing padel. What I love most is that the entire padel area (including the changing rooms, sports facilities, and café) is enclosed with a green fence, so despite being in the heart of the industrial district of Al Quoz, the courts feel incredibly pleasant! Each padel court has its own rest area and water cooler — I feel this attention to detail is key to every business's growth! While the availability of a café might not surprise anyone, this one is very charming, serving incredibly delicious milkshakes (perfect for after a game).

Instagram: @clubpadeldubai

Padel Edition

A new spot that has just opened in Al Quoz. Although this article is a selection of open padel courts, I could not pass by without mentioning this great place. A spacious area with eight courts and an incredibly aesthetic design. Spacious changing rooms, super cozy poufs in the waiting area, and soft pastries served in the café — everything is thought through down to the smallest detail. This place has you fully covered, offering padel yoga to stretch your muscles after the game, and contrast therapies for complete physical recovery — starting with a sauna session followed by a plunge into an ice bath. In a word, wow!

Instagram: @padeledition

by Barbara Yakimchuk