Market Guides

How to Open a Padel Club in Dubai (2026)

January 22, 202610 min read

Dubai is the world's fastest-growing padel market. With 450+ courts, 28% year-over-year growth, and padel ranked as the #1 played sport in the emirate, the opportunity is massive — but competition is intensifying fast.

The Dubai Market in 2026

Key numbers you need to know:

450+ courts across the emirate, up from ~180 in 2023

28% YoY growth — one of the fastest globally

AED 280-400/hr pricing range for premium indoor courts

Padel Edition (8 courts, Al Quoz) proves the premium indoor model at AED 320/hr

Just Padel operates multiple venues with 70%+ occupancy

DET Licensing Requirements

Opening a sports facility in Dubai requires a Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) license. The process:

Activity code: Sports facility management

Timeline: 2-4 weeks for standard licensing, 4-8 weeks with additional permits

Cost: AED 10,000-25,000 for initial setup including trade license and approvals

Location approval: Required from municipality — noise and parking compliance checks

Visa allocation: Based on office space — typically 1 visa per 9 sqm of office area

Best Locations

Area	Rent (AED/sqft)	Score	Why

|------|----------------|-------|-----|

Al Quoz Industrial	35-45	9/10	Warehouse spaces, 8m+ ceilings, proven padel location
Dubai Investment Park	25-35	8/10	Lower rent, large plots, growing residential nearby
JLT/JBR Adjacent	60-80	7/10	Premium positioning but higher rent and limited space
Motor City	30-40	8/10	Sports community, good parking, residential catchment

Court Costs in AED

Budget AED 90,000-165,000 per court for structure. Total per-court cost including turf (Mondo NSF Shot XN at AED 45-55/sqm), LED lighting (AED 8,000-15,000), and foundation: AED 130,000-250,000. A 6-court indoor facility runs AED 2.5M-4.5M total including buildout.

Climate Considerations

Dubai's summer (June-September) hits 45°C+. Indoor is not optional — it's essential. Budget an additional 20-30% for HVAC infrastructure. This is the biggest differentiator from markets like Spain where outdoor works year-round.

Revenue Model

At AED 350/hr peak and AED 250/hr off-peak with 65% occupancy:

6-court club: AED 288,000/month revenue

8-court club: AED 384,000/month revenue

Monthly opex: AED 150,000-250,000 depending on rent and staffing

Breakeven: 14-18 months for well-positioned clubs

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