Wrexham Tennis and Padel Centre's courts keep North Wales playing after a £2.5 million refurbishment

Wrexham can claim to be where padel first took root in North Wales. Wrexham Tennis and Padel Centre, just around the corner from the Racecourse Ground, opened the region's first three padel courts in early 2025 as part of a wider refurbishment, and they have been a hit with players ever since. Until then, all of Wales' padel courts were in the south.

The three courts are covered and lit by LED lighting, so they can be used all year round whatever the weather. When they opened, the centre said they were buzzing with players every evening.

"We are thrilled to see so many people enjoying our fully refurbished centre and proud to bring padel to North Wales for the very first time," said Kim McCall, chair of the board of trustees. "Our brand-new facilities provide Wrexham with a world-class centre for both tennis and padel. The padel courts have been hugely popular with our regular users and have also brought in many new faces around the centre."

Padel is played in doubles on an enclosed court with glass and mesh walls, combining elements of tennis and squash. It uses tennis-style scoring with underhand serving, and players can play shots off the walls. The sport originated in Mexico in the 1960s and has grown hugely in Spain, Latin America and the rest of Europe.

The padel courts are part of a £2.5 million refurbishment, primarily funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, with support from Sport Wales and Wrexham Council. The work also delivered a modernised reception, refurbished changing rooms and a new café with views over the indoor tennis and padel courts.

Outside, nine tennis courts have been resurfaced, allowing the centre to host national and international tournaments, and four outdoor courts now have energy-efficient LED floodlights for evening play throughout the year.

For newcomers, the centre runs Intro to Padel group sessions, and the courts can be booked whenever the centre is open.

Court bookings and session details are on the centre's ClubSpark page, clubspark.lta.org.uk/wrexhamtenniscentre.