Padel in Brighton has grown quickly. Two years ago there was a single temporary court. Now there are seven courts across two venues, with the first covered courts in the city opening in April 2026 and a third venue on the way. Both current sites are run by Game4Padel, and demand has already been high. Hove Beach Park reached 97% occupancy after opening, while the previous temporary court at Withdean averaged 90% before being removed in 2024. This guide covers where to play padel in Brighton, what it costs, how to book and what to know if you have never played before.
Table of Contents
Quick Reference Table
| Venue | Courts | Type | Racket Hire | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Withdean Sports Complex | 3 | Covered, floodlit | £4/hour | MATCHi app |
| Hove Beach Park | 4 | Outdoor | £5/racket | MATCHi app |
| The Padel Club (Albourne) | 6 (opening soon) | 4 covered, 2 outdoor | TBC | TBC |
Where to Play
Withdean Sports Complex
Withdean Sports Complex is Brighton’s newest padel venue and the first in the city with covered courts. Three courts opened in April 2026 under a permanent canopy, meaning they are playable year-round regardless of weather. The courts are floodlit for evening sessions and there is a staffed reception where you can hire rackets and buy balls.
Withdean is in the north of the city, set within a larger sports complex that also includes football pitches, squash courts, tennis, a gym, a climbing wall and an athletics track. The padel courts are operated by Game4Padel in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council and Freedom Leisure.
A single temporary court at this site previously ran at 90% occupancy before being removed in 2024, which is what prompted the permanent build. If you want to play padel in Brighton without worrying about rain cancelling your game, Withdean is the only option.
Address: Withdean Sports Complex, Tongdean Lane, Brighton BN1 5JD
Hove Beach Park
Hove Beach Park has four outdoor padel courts on the seafront near Hove Lagoon. The courts opened in late 2024 and hit 97% occupancy through the following summer. The site also has six tennis courts and pickleball facilities.
Playing padel on the seafront with a view of the sea is a different experience from an indoor or covered court. The trade-off is that the courts are fully outdoor, so they are weather-dependent. In summer they are excellent. In winter they are quieter but sessions can be rained off.
Rackets and balls are available to hire and buy from the on-site pavilion. The venue is also operated by Game4Padel.
Address: Hove Beach Park, 266 Adelaide Crescent, Hove BN3 2JJ
The Padel Club Brighton (Opening Soon)
The Padel Club is bringing a six-court venue to Q Leisure in Albourne, with four covered courts, two outdoor courts and a clubhouse with a cafe, changing facilities and equipment hire. It is part of a national expansion that includes clubs in Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield, and it would be the largest padel facility in the Brighton area when it opens.
Worth noting that Albourne is a village about 15 minutes north of Brighton by car, not in the city itself. The Padel Club is branding it as their Brighton location, and for anyone with a car it is a realistic option, but it is not walkable or easy to reach by public transport from the city centre. At the time of writing the venue has not yet opened, so check their website for confirmed opening dates and booking details.
How to Book
The two Game4Padel venues (Withdean and Hove Beach Park) both use the MATCHi app for bookings. You search for the venue, pick a date and time, and pay online. Game4Padel members can book up to 10 days in advance. Non-members can book up to 7 days ahead. The Padel Club Brighton will have its own booking system once open.
At peak times, especially evenings and weekends, courts fill up fast. If you are flexible on timing, weekday daytime slots are easier to get.
Costs
Hove Beach Park publishes current padel pricing as £22 to £26 per court per hour. For a four-person game, the listed rate is £7 to £8 per person per hour for non-members or £5 to £6 per person per hour for Game4Padel members, depending on the time and day. Withdean pricing is available through the MATCHi app when booking.
Game4Padel membership starts from £6.50 per month, or £13 per month for a family. Membership gives you earlier booking access and reduced court rates at both Brighton venues.
Racket hire is £4 per hour at Withdean and £5 per racket at Hove Beach Park. A tube of balls costs £7.50 at Hove Beach Park. You do not need your own equipment to play.
If You Have Never Played
Padel is a doubles sport played on an enclosed court roughly a third the size of a tennis court. The walls are part of the game, similar to squash. Serving is underarm, which makes it far more accessible than tennis for beginners. Most people pick up the basics within their first session.
Both Brighton venues offer coached sessions for beginners through Game4Padel. Introduction sessions cover the rules, court positioning, shot techniques and scoring. Prices vary by session, so check the latest cost when booking. Beyond introductions there are improver sessions, intermediate coaching and social Americano tournaments where you rotate partners and opponents each round.
If you want to try padel in Brighton before committing to regular play, a single beginner session plus racket hire is one of the cheapest ways to find out whether you enjoy it.
If You Cannot Get a Court
Demand for padel in Brighton regularly exceeds supply. If both venues are fully booked, there are options within a short drive.
The Triangle in Burgess Hill has a padel court and was the first local authority leisure centre in the UK to install one. It runs on a pay-and-play basis with no membership required. Burgess Hill is roughly 20 minutes from central Brighton by car or a direct train from Brighton station.
There are also courts at Smash Padel in Haywards Heath and at West Worthing Club in Worthing, both within 30 minutes of Brighton.
FAQs
Where can I play padel in Brighton?
There are two open venues for padel in Brighton. Withdean Sports Complex has three covered courts and Hove Beach Park has four outdoor courts. Both are operated by Game4Padel and booked through the MATCHi app. A third venue, The Padel Club at Q Leisure in Albourne, is due to open with six courts.
How much does padel cost in Brighton?
At Hove Beach Park, current listed padel pricing is £7 to £8 per person per hour for non-members or £5 to £6 per person per hour for Game4Padel members when playing as a four, depending on the time and day. Racket hire is £4 to £5 depending on venue. You do not need your own equipment. Game4Padel membership starts from £6.50 per month and reduces court costs.
Do I need to be a member to play padel in Brighton?
No. Both venues operate on a pay-and-play basis. Membership gives you earlier booking access and cheaper rates, but it is not required.
Is padel easy to pick up?
Yes. The underarm serve and smaller court make it more accessible than tennis. Most beginners can rally and play a basic game within one session. Both Brighton venues run coached introduction sessions if you want structured guidance.
Can I hire equipment?
Yes. Both venues hire rackets and sell balls on site. You do not need to bring anything other than sports clothing and trainers.
Final Thoughts
Padel in Brighton has gone from a single temporary court to seven courts across two venues in under two years. Demand still outstrips supply, particularly at evenings and weekends, so booking ahead is essential. If you have not tried it yet, a beginner session at either venue is the easiest way to start. The sport is genuinely easy to pick up and the social format means you do not need to find a regular partner to play.
