Greater Cincinnati has spent the past few years learning pickleball. Padel is next in line. Cincinnati Padel Club is now open at 3804 Church St. in Newtown, on the city’s East Side, as the region’s first dedicated outdoor padel facility. It has four glass-walled courts lit until 10 p.m. You don’t need a membership to play.
The timing is a little odd: the club opened in mid-October after construction and operational delays, and fall play only runs through November. But fall court rates are reduced, and families curious about the sport can get a few games in before the 2027 season starts in March.
What Padel Is (and How It Differs From Pickleball)
Padel is a mix of tennis and squash, played almost always as doubles. Serves are underhand. Bounce the ball once and hit it below the waist. The court is about a third the size of a tennis court and enclosed in glass, and the walls are part of the game. A ball that comes off the back glass is still in play, which gives beginners a second chance at shots they would miss in tennis.
Compared with pickleball, padel uses a tennis-style ball and a solid racket instead of a paddle and wiffle ball. The court is bigger and walled in. The club says most first-timers are rallying within 10 minutes, and anyone who has played tennis, pickleball or racquetball will pick it up quickly.
The sport is big in Europe and South America. The club is courting employees of GE Aerospace, Procter & Gamble and other global companies in the area who may have played abroad. That means the courts may already have some experienced players alongside the newcomers.
How Booking and Pricing Work
Everything runs through the Playtomic app: court reservations, open play, lessons and clinics. Courts open for booking 24 hours ahead. The club is cashless; pay in the app or use a card or Apple Pay on site.
Court time is priced per player, with each booking covering a quarter of the court. Fall 2026 rates are:
Peak (8 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.)
- 60 minutes: $25 per player ($100 per court)
- 90 minutes: $30 per player ($120 per court)
Off-peak (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m.)
- 60 minutes: $20 per player ($80 per court)
- 90 minutes: $25 per player ($100 per court)
Every reservation is charged the full court rate. If only two or three people show up, the reservation still pays for four. So a parent-and-teen pair will pay the four-person price either way. Filling the court with a second pair, or joining open play, makes better sense on cost.
Lessons, Open Play and Spring Clinics
Open play is for people who come alone or in a pair. Players are matched with others at their level and rotate through games, at court rates. For a first hour on the court, the club runs an intro group clinic for up to four people at $30 per person. It covers the rules, the grip, the serve and how to play off the glass. Private lessons are $70 an hour.
For those who would rather wait, the club plans free introductory clinics in spring 2027. No racquet sport experience and no membership are needed. Details will be posted on the Cincinnati Padel Club website, and registration will open in Playtomic.
Good to Know
- No racket needed. Rental and demo rackets are available at the club, and a pro shop sells them.
- Wear court shoes. The courts are synthetic turf; the club recommends court shoes and comfortable clothes.
- Memberships are closed for 2026. Pre-sale details for 2027 are coming. Guests can book courts, clinics and lessons without one.
- There’s a clubhouse. It has restrooms, lounge areas and the pro shop.
- The neighbors are worth knowing. The club shares a 6-acre campus with WagsPark, and the Little Miami Scenic Trail is nearby. Fifty West Brewing Company handles food and drinks for group outings and corporate events at the club.
Families pairing a match with a walk or bike ride can look at our list of kid-friendly hikes. For more ideas around the region, see our list of things to do in Cincinnati with kids.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 3804 Church St., Newtown, OH 45244
- Fall hours: Monday through Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Season: Fall play through November; the 2027 season is expected to begin in March
- Court rates: $20 to $30 per player, depending on time and session length
- Booking: Playtomic app, up to 24 hours ahead
- Contact: 513-404-6871 (call or text)
- Website: cincinnatipadelclub.com
