Ten-court padel facility proposed at sports campus

University of Surrey wants to build 10 covered padel courts

The University of Surrey says it wants to build new padel facilities at its sports campus in Guildford.

The racquet sport - similar to tennis but played in enclosed courts allowing shots to bounce off the walls - has an estimated 30 million players worldwide.

The proposed addition to Surrey Sports Park will consist of 10 covered padel courts, including a show court for elite tournaments, if it goes ahead.

The university says it will be the biggest padel facility in Surrey and in the higher education sector, subject to planning permission.

The University of Surrey added that it hopes to open the facility in 2026 in partnership with operator PadelStars.

The proposed facilities will feature a clubhouse, cafe, bar, social area, and shop.

The project will "offer something special for everyone in the community", says Surrey Sports Park's director of sport, Georgina Agnies.

"Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and we're thrilled to bring this exciting game to Surrey Sports Park," she said.

PadelStars chief executive officer Andy Knee added: "Together we will create an incredibly vibrant home for padel in Guildford and beyond."

The padel proposal comes five months after professional rugby club Harlequins separately submitting a planning application to build expanded office and training facilities at the site.

The professional club's "increasingly obsolete" current space at the Guildford site is "unable to accommodate the growing professional women's squad" at the club, according to the planning application.