After-Sales Becomes the UK’s New Battleground as Padel Matures

As clubs scale, ongoing support is becoming as critical as manufacturing quality. With top Spanish brands lacking UK bases, maintenance delays and safety concerns are prompting operators to call for domestic presence and stronger contractual guarantees.

Operators Demand Better Support as Market Moves Into Phase Two

With the UK now a top global growth engine for padel, operators say the next bottleneck isn’t demand—it’s after-sales service.

Rocket Padel owner Morten Bugge, now running 35 courts in the UK, says too many suppliers “fly in, fly out,” leaving clubs to handle maintenance, repairs, and structural adjustments alone. The result: slow fixes, inconsistent quality, and safety vulnerabilities.

Bugge argues it’s time for top-tier manufacturers to establish full-service UK operations, from maintenance teams to rapid-response specialists. “Everyone knows the UK is the biggest growth market,” he says. “Now we need the right people on the ground.”

He also points to an important maturity gap: UK players still prioritise access over court experience. In Denmark—where Rocket Padel also operates—players notice if the glass isn’t cleaned weekly. UK expectations will rise next.

Until then, operators are relying on self-installation, third-party specialists, and tight service clauses in supplier contracts.