New Cork city club confirmed for world's fastest-growing sport

Leeside is getting its own beginner-friendly padel spot

Padel tennis is coming to Cork city, with plans to open a new dedicated leisure centre for the trendy sport in December.

A five-court padel centre is slated for launch shortly before Christmas on the Monahan Road, close to the Marina and Páirc Uí Chaoimh. A 19,000 sq ft warehouse is set to be transformed for the new €4 million Hive Padel Club centre. It will prove a major boost for padel players in the city, who currently have to travel to Carrigtwohill to enjoy the fast-growing indoor sport in Cork, where Ireland's largest Padel Tennis facility is located at Fota Junction Retail Park.

David Farrell, General Manager of The Hive, said: “This represents more than a club. It’s the beginning of Cork’s next community movement. We wanted to bring something unique to Cork and hence the investment, our goal is to create a place where people can move, connect and belong." Mr Farrell added that the team spent several years searching for the right spot, motivated by "the limited opportunities to play padel within Cork city despite the boom in popularity across Europe.”

Padel has exploded in popularity across Ireland as an easy, inclusive sport for people of all ages and abilities. The racket sport is similar to tennis but much more beginner-friendly, with a focus on fitness and fun rather than technique and strength. The coming site's location on the Monahan Road will also mean that players can enjoy a walk along the recently revamped Marina Promenade before heading to The Hive for game.

The Hive Club will feature five indoor panoramic courts with nine-metre ceilings as well as spaces for coaching and training. It will also include an on-site café and retail area. Bookings for the new centre will open in December, and you can follow the club's progress on social media.

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