Soul Padel has submitted plans to build four padel courts at Ayr United's Somerset Park, marking the first such facility at a Scottish league football ground. The proposal integrates the courts into the club's redevelopment plans and aims to enhance year-round use of the stadium. If approved, Soul Padel will design, operate, and open the courts to the public while tying them into the club's sporting ecosystem.
Soul Padel, a padel operator with sites in Stockport, Loughborough, St Helens, and Braehead in Glasgow, is partnering with Scottish Championship club Ayr United to develop a padel facility at the club's Somerset Park ground. Proposals submitted to South Ayrshire Council include four courts located in the Railway End of the stadium. This initiative forms part of Ayr United's broader redevelopment, which also encompasses a new training pitch, gym, and expanded parking facilities.
The facility is intended to complement the stadium campus and promote year-round activity. Ayr United would become the first Scottish league club to host a padel setup, following precedents in England such as the Nottingham Padel Centre at Notts County's Meadow Lane and World Padel Academy at Mansfield Town's Field Mill.
Benefits of integrating padel at a football club include access to an established audience of season ticket holders, academy families, and community participants. Football supporters' competitive nature aligns with padel's doubles format, and there is demographic overlap in the 20-45 age group, appealing to social and corporate players. Existing infrastructure like parking, lighting, and catering supports operational efficiency and commercial viability.
Soul Padel will handle design, delivery, and operations under its brand. Discussions continue on providing structured access for club players and staff in training and wellbeing programs. Successful initiatives from other sites, such as Soul Sisters for women's sessions, Soul Timers for over-50s, Soul Mates loyalty program, coaching led by Technical Director David Garrido Garcia, competitive leagues like Soul Circuit, free school access via What's That Racket?, and potential joint football-padel camps, are planned for replication if approved.
The partnership mirrors Soul Padel's model at Loughborough University, balancing access among students, staff, and the community to foster an inclusive environment. A Soul Padel statement noted: “Our intention is to introduce a sustainable, community-focused model in Scotland that reflects that natural crossover between football and padel and integrates padel meaningfully within a professional club environment.” This approach aims to engage club stakeholders, fans, and the public for long-term success.
