• Connect Padel Blackpool to be the second venue in the operator’s expanding portfolio, following the success of its flagship Birmingham club.
  • The UK’s first purpose-built indoor padel facility, situated at South Shore Lawn Tennis Club, is set to launch in Winter 2026.
  • The premium social experience will feature a fully licensed bar and a pizza oven, alongside barista-quality coffee.
  • The project is a collaboration with local padel pioneers, including world record breaker Nathan Young, coach Phil Barlow and Peter Andrews.

Blackpool, UK – Connect Padel UK is delighted to announce the next phase of its national expansion with the launch of its second club, located in the vibrant coastal town of Blackpool.

Due to open in Winter 2026, Connect Padel Blackpool will make history as the first purpose-built indoor padel venue in the United Kingdom. Situated at the historic South Shore Lawn Tennis Club, this landmark site reinforces the brand’s commitment to delivering world-class, dedicated padel facilities following the successful launch of Connect Padel Birmingham in July 2025.

Meticulously designed specifically for padel, the venue will boast four top-of-the-range panoramic courts featuring “out-of-court play” capabilities and a dedicated feature court. The facility has been engineered for optimal gameplay, featuring impressive 11.5m high ceilings and bespoke lighting.

Off the court, the experience is designed to be a premier social destination. The club will include high-specification changing facilities, a pro shop, and a social mezzanine area. This vibrant hub will feature a fully licensed bar and an on-site pizza oven, alongside a café serving barista-quality coffee, all designed to foster the community spirit at the heart of the Connect Padel brand.

The launch is the result of a close collaboration between Connect Padel UK and a group of prominent local players: Peter Andrews, Phil Barlow, and Nathan Young. Young arrives at the project as a world record breaker, having last year set the record for the longest-ever padel match at 40 hours.

L-R Phil Barlow, Charlie Thomson, Peter Andrews, Nathan Young.

Connect Padel UK Founder, Charlie Thomson said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce Blackpool as the location for our second club. We’re excited to bring our values of accessibility, affordability and community to the area, paired with a premium social offering – including a new bar and pizza oven – that will create a space where people want to spend time both on and off the court. This launch marks a significant next step in our journey to become one of the UK’s leading padel operators as we continue to grow our national footprint.”

Local Partner, Peter Andrews said: “It has been a long road through the planning process to get to this point, but we are thrilled to finally bring a facility of this calibre to South Shore. It is exactly what the local sporting landscape needs.”

World Record Breaker and Local Resident, Nathan Young said: “I’ve lived in this area my whole life and my love for padel is no secret. I can’t wait to bring such a great facility to local residents. With courts of this quality, who knows – we might even look to break another world record here!”

Padel Coach, Phil Barlow added: “Connect Padel totally get the importance of coaching and technical development. I can’t wait to work with Charlie and the team to deliver a first-class coaching schedule that helps players of all levels improve their game in this incredible new environment.”

Paul Wainwright, Chairperson at South Shore Lawn Tennis Club, said: “It’s been great working with Peter, Charlie and the team on bringing this project to life. We look forward to our existing members benefitting from such a fantastic new facility on-site and seeing the club continue to thrive as a hub for racket sports.”

In line with the operator’s mission, Connect Padel Blackpool will also commit to 1,000 hours of free court access per year for local schools and charities, ensuring the sport remains inclusive and accessible to the wider Blackpool community.

For more information and to stay updated on the launch follow @connectpadel_blackpool on Instagram.