**Swansea City Centre to Welcome Rooftop Padel Courts as Demand Surges**
Swansea is poised to welcome its first city centre rooftop padel courts, as the fast-growing sport continues to surge in popularity across Wales. The venture, driven by local business Pure Swansea Padel, has submitted a planning application for a prime site and is already considering further expansion to meet the evident demand.
The proposed venue is earmarked for Foresters Yard, on the site of the former Pilkington Glass works, placing cutting-edge sporting facilities at the heart of the city’s vibrant centre. If plans are approved, the facility will feature two rooftop padel courts, setting a new precedent for urban sporting venues in Swansea.
Pure Swansea Padel is the brainchild of Swansea.com, a prominent property and investment group, and has the backing of several local footballing icons. Leon Britton, Lee Trundle and Kurtis March—celebrated former Swansea City FC players—are at the helm of day-to-day operations, infusing the project with significant sporting credibility and local pride.
Already, Pure Swansea Padel operates a sports complex in the Clase area of Swansea, where it boasts five existing padel courts alongside football pitches. The site was originally acquired in 2021 and was, at the time, predominantly focused on football facilities. Since then, the addition of padel courts has transformed the venue into a go-to destination for racket sports enthusiasts.
Jacob Hughes, group managing director of Swansea.com, spoke enthusiastically about the new plans. He highlighted the centrality and accessibility of the proposed rooftop courts, stating, “This exciting location combines city centre energy with on-site parking, making it easily accessible. It will look absolutely incredible at night and be a real landmark for Swansea.” Hughes also emphasised that the latest investment reflects both faith in the sport’s future and the city’s growing appetite for innovative recreational options.
The planned rooftop courts represent a significant capital investment, with an estimated outlay of £150,000 and a total financial commitment of nearly £1 million since 2021. Provided the planning process runs smoothly, a determination could be made within eight weeks. If all goes to plan, the new courts could open their doors as early as August this year, amplifying sports provision in Swansea and attracting new visitors to the city centre.
The expansion comes amid a remarkable increase in demand. Hughes noted a staggering 600% growth in usage of the existing padel courts in the past year alone. “We currently have 500 different players using our courts each month, and we hope to reach 1,000 a month, especially as we head into the summer,” he observed. The sport’s blend of social play and physical activity has attracted a burgeoning following, with players from across the age spectrum joining in.
Looking to the future, Hughes and the Pure Swansea Padel team are not resting on their laurels. The company is actively seeking new sites across the city and hopes to operate five separate venues by the end of 2026. This ongoing expansion is seen as a vote of confidence in Swansea’s development as a dynamic, sport-loving city.
As the city centre prepares for the arrival of its new landmark rooftop courts, many will view the move as a sign of ongoing regeneration and innovation in Swansea. Padel’s meteoric rise has brought with it a fresh wave of energy and inclusivity—qualities that seem set to further invigorate Swansea’s sporting and cultural landscape.
With planning underway and anticipation mounting, all eyes will be on Swansea Council’s decision in the coming weeks. Should the plans get the green light, city dwellers and visitors alike could soon enjoy world-class padel action with a view—right in the heart of Swansea.