UK’s First Floating Padel Courts Planned For Liverpool Waterfront
Plans are set to be submitted this week for a groundbreaking floating padel facility at Liverpool Waters, marking the first of its kind in the UK. The ambitious project, spearheaded by Peel Waters in collaboration with a team of international experts, will introduce three floating padel courts and a Scandinavian-style clubhouse to Princes Dock.
Padel, widely regarded as the world’s fastest-growing sport, blends elements of tennis and squash and is typically played in doubles. The sport has seen a rapid rise in popularity, with over 700 courts now in operation across the UK. However, this innovative floating concept at Liverpool Waters is set to redefine the playing experience.
Peel Waters is working with Ville Leisti, founder and CEO of Floating Padel Oy, Tytti Sirola, CEO of Bluet Floating Solutions, Gareth Evans, managing director of Cheshire-based Padel Ventures, and Paul Danson, founder of Imagineering Global, to bring this vision to life.
James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We are really pleased to be bringing the UK’s first floating padel courts to Liverpool Waters. This floating concept demonstrates the open approach we have at Peel Waters to welcoming innovative, new ideas and collaborating with forward-thinking businesses to use our portfolio as a testbed for unique, UK-first activations on water and the surrounding land.
“Padel is a fantastic, accessible activity and the social side of the sport is of utmost importance to us. We have thousands of residents, workers, and visitors already on site at Liverpool Waters, and we are constantly looking at new ways to connect the community and introduce new activities for them to experience. This new facility will be an iconic, must-visit padel destination, both for enthusiasts and spectators, encouraging more socialising, friendship forming, and opportunities for the area.”
The courts will be constructed on a specialist floating platform from Finland, while the padel courts themselves will be manufactured in Spain. Alongside the courts, a floating clubhouse designed by Imagineering Global will offer a bar and kitchen, creating a vibrant space for players and spectators to relax and socialise. The floating infrastructure supporting the clubhouse will be designed and built by Bluet Floating Solutions.
Gareth Evans of Padel Ventures highlighted the project’s significance: “Working with Peel Waters to offer what will be one of the most iconic padel destinations in the world is so exciting for us. One of the reasons we love padel so much is the social side of the sport, and so it’s not just about creating a new landmark leisure concept, it’s about creating something the community will enjoy and businesses will want to use. We want to make a space which gets people out socialising and encourages people to pick up a racquet and have a go.
“The design of the space will create an environment that celebrates the sport and the uniqueness of the location, whilst also providing a space to watch the world go by, grab a drink, relax, and enjoy being by the water.”
Floating Padel Oy brings expertise to the project, having delivered one of the world’s first floating padel facilities in Espoo, Finland. The company’s involvement reflects a two-decade track record in floating construction projects, reinforcing the credibility of this ambitious initiative.
Peel Waters has confirmed that plans for the floating padel facility will be submitted to Liverpool City Council this week, with a decision expected in the spring. If approved, the courts are anticipated to open by late summer, bringing a dynamic new sporting attraction to Liverpool’s waterfront.
