Southampton City Council’s Cabinet has officially approved exciting plans to bring the city’s first public padel courts to the Outdoor Sports Centre (OSC) in Bassett. The £1 million investment will see six brand-new, covered padel courts constructed as part of the ongoing £38 million multi-sport facility redevelopment, meeting huge local demand for what is widely recognised as the world’s fastest-growing sport.
Until now, padel enthusiasts living in Southampton have had to travel outside the city boundary to access dedicated courts. Once completed, the Outdoor Sports Centre will become the premier public provider of padel facilities in the area, offering accessible year-round play under a protective canopy for players of all ages and abilities.
Details of the New Southampton Padel Facility
The introduction of six padel courts represents a major addition to Southampton’s sports infrastructure. Designed to cater to complete beginners as well as seasoned racket sport enthusiasts, the development focuses on high accessibility, modern court construction, and year-round usability.
1. Six Covered Courts for All-Weather Play
A stand-out feature of the proposal is the inclusion of a protective canopy covering all six courts. This ensures matches and coaching sessions can continue uninterrupted during rainy weather or cold winter months, maximising court usage throughout the calendar year.
2. Integration Into the £38 Million OSC Redevelopment
The padel development forms a core component of the broader £38 million masterplan for the Outdoor Sports Centre. By incorporating modern sport trends alongside traditional athletics, football, and cycling facilities, the OSC is being transformed into a flagship regional venue.
3. Reconfigured Racket and Netball Provision
To accommodate the new courts, the project repurposes a lesser-used tennis court and netball quadrant on the grounds. However, tennis and netball players will retain strong access across the site with two dedicated covered courts, five outdoor courts overlayed with dual tennis and netball markings, and an additional marked outdoor tennis court.
4. Boosting Public Health and Active Participation
Padel is widely celebrated for its low barrier to entry, simple rules, and highly social double-format play. Bringing public courts to Bassett aligns directly with Southampton City Council’s strategy to build a healthier city by encouraging residents who may not participate in traditional structured sports to stay active.
5. Strong Financial Return for the City
Costing just over £1 million to install, the project represents a smart commercial investment for the local authority. Driven by high nationwide demand and court booking fees, the council forecasts that revenue generated from the courts will pay off the initial capital outlay and turn a net profit within ten years.
What Civic Leaders Say About the Padel Expansion
Speaking on the Cabinet’s approval, Councillor Toqeer Kataria, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Safety at Southampton City Council, highlighted the positive impact for local residents:
“This is fantastic news for padel players, experienced and new, across the city. Padel is incredibly popular and this is continuing to rise. Until now, players have had to travel outside the city to play. These new courts will bring padel to Southampton, help people stay fit and healthy whilst providing an excellent investment for the city.”
Local Accessibility: The OSC will be the only facility in Southampton offering public, pay-and-play padel access without requiring expensive private club memberships.
Next Planning Milestone: Formal planning applications for the court structures and canopy design will be submitted in December 2026 ahead of scheduled construction in early 2027.
Timeline & What Happens Next for the Southampton Padel Project
With Cabinet approval secured on Tuesday, 22nd September 2026, the project now moves into its formal planning and construction phases before opening to the public.
Project Milestones and Schedule
- December 2026: Detailed planning applications will be submitted to Southampton City Council for the court structures, fencing, lighting, and protective canopy.
- Early 2027: Subject to planning permission, groundworks and construction will commence on site at the Outdoor Sports Centre.
- June 2027: Construction is expected to complete, with the six covered padel courts officially opening to the public.
Looking to Stay Active in Southampton?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Southampton’s New Padel Courts
Where will the new padel courts be located in Southampton?
The six new courts will be built at the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre (OSC) in Bassett, replacing a lesser-used tennis court and netball quadrant as part of the facility’s £38 million redevelopment.
When will the padel courts open to the public?
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 following planning submission in December 2026, with the courts scheduled to open to the public in June 2027.
Will the padel courts be covered for bad weather?
Yes, all six courts will be sheltered under a canopy structure, enabling year-round, all-weather play for local residents.
Will tennis and netball still be available at the Outdoor Sports Centre?
Yes, tennis and netball provision will continue with two covered courts, five outdoor courts overlayed with both tennis and netball markings, and an additional marked outdoor tennis court.
How much will the padel project cost Southampton City Council?
The total capital investment is just over £1 million. High demand for padel is projected to generate sufficient booking revenue for the council to recover its investment and turn a profit within ten years.
