Padel Gains Ground in Powai and Across Mumbai as Open Spaces Shrink
Padel is witnessing a surge in popularity across Mumbai as open recreational spaces become increasingly limited, leading to new facilities opening in commercial hubs like Powai's Hiranandani district. The fast-paced racquet sport, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is played on compact enclosed courts, making it suitable for a city where land is strictly constrained.
The sport has rapidly established a presence across the country, with approximately 400 to 500 courts operating nationally. Mumbai alone accounts for 150 courts spread across 40 different venues. Its relatively small physical footprint has allowed operators to build courts in both indoor and outdoor spaces where traditional full-sized sports grounds would not fit.
In Powai, a padel court has been established inside the Hiranandani Business Park, while Lower Parel's Phoenix Palladium now operates as India's largest integrated rooftop racquet sport hub. The game has increasingly attracted young professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and social groups looking for an alternative leisure activity.
Ronak Daftary, co-founder of Padel Park, noted that players are frequently incorporating the sport into their weekday routines. Describing padel as "the coffee of sports," Daftary explained that people are increasingly choosing to meet friends over a game rather than at a cafe. He added that the court itself serves as the product, driving repeat participation among players.
However, the expansion of the sport has also highlighted concerns regarding cost and accessibility. Court rentals, membership fees, and specialised equipment make padel difficult to access for large segments of the city's population. Prerna Yadav of the Urban Design Research Institute emphasised that maintaining sports accessibility is vital given the broader land constraints in Mumbai.
Financial challenges also extend to infrastructure development. Ujwal Deole, co-founder and COO of KheloMore, stated that affordability remains an ongoing hurdle, noting that setting up a single padel court requires an investment of close to Rs 20 lakh. Deole expressed hope that schools might eventually adopt padel to help bring the sport further into the mainstream.
