Building the Business of Racket Sports

The business of racket sports is evolving faster than ever. The explosive growth of padel and pickleball has transformed the UK's participation landscape, while established sports such as tennis, badminton, squash and table tennis are all looking for new ways to attract players, modernise facilities and build sustainable businesses. Yet despite this momentum, the industry has lacked a dedicated event focused not on the games themselves, but on the people and businesses driving them forward.

That's the thinking behind the inaugural Racket Sports Business Expo—a new event designed to bring together club owners, operators, coaches, governing bodies, suppliers and innovators from across every major racket sport. Rather than operating in silos, the Expo aims to create a space where ideas, technologies and commercial solutions can be shared across disciplines, helping businesses learn from one another and adapt to a rapidly changing market.

Ahead of the launch, Racket Business spoke with the Expo's founder, Alex Ayling, about the opportunity they identified, why collaboration across racket sports has never been more important, and the biggest commercial challenges facing clubs and facilities today. From AI-powered booking systems and multi-sport venues to new revenue streams and operational efficiency, the conversation offers a preview of the trends shaping the next chapter of the racket sports industry—and why this new exhibition could become an important date in the business calendar.

1. The UK racket sports landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years, particularly with the growth of padel and pickleball. What gap in the market did you see that convinced you the industry needed a dedicated Racket Sports Business Expo?

The growth of padel and pickleball has been incredible, but it also highlighted something that was missing in my opinion. While participation has increased across all racket sports, there hasn't been a dedicated business-focused event where the people responsible for running clubs, facilities and venues can come together to discover new products, services and transferable ideas.

Most existing events are either consumer-facing or focused on a single sport. We felt there was a real opportunity to create an exhibition dedicated to the business side of the industry—bringing together club owners, operators, coaches, governing bodies and suppliers in one place. Whether you manage a traditional tennis club, operate a multi-sport facility or are looking to diversify into emerging sports, the challenges are often very similar, and the solutions can benefit everyone.

2. This isn't just a tennis event—it brings together tennis, padel, pickleball, badminton, squash and table tennis under one roof. What opportunities do you think exist when these sectors collaborate instead of operating in silos?

I think there's enormous value in bringing the entire racket sports industry together. Although each sport has its own identity, the businesses behind them face many of the same challenges—growing participation, increasing revenue, attracting new members, recruiting coaches and investing in facilities.

When these sectors collaborate, ideas transfer much more quickly. A membership model that works in padel may inspire a tennis club. A technology platform developed for squash could improve operations at a badminton centre. Suppliers also have the opportunity to showcase solutions that work across multiple sports rather than targeting just one market.

Ultimately, the industry becomes stronger when it shares knowledge instead of working in isolation.

3. If you were a club owner or facility operator attending for just one day, what are the three biggest ideas or innovations you hope they'll take away from the exhibition?

Firstly, I'd want them to leave with practical ideas that can help increase participation and generate new revenue. Whether that's diversifying their offering, introducing new programmes or improving member engagement, there should be something they can implement immediately.

Secondly, I want visitors to discover innovative products and services that make running a facility easier—from court booking software and coaching technology to maintenance solutions, equipment and facility improvements.

Finally, I hope they leave having built valuable relationships. The conversations they'll have with suppliers, industry experts and fellow operators can often be just as valuable as anything they'll see on the exhibition floor.

4. The exhibition focuses heavily on business solutions rather than consumer products. What are the biggest commercial challenges you're hearing from clubs, coaches and operators right now, and how does the Expo aim to address them?

Across every racket sport, we're hearing similar concerns. Clubs are looking to grow participation while managing increasing operating costs. We as event organisers are no different in our own world and also there is a similar theme across other Industry Expos that we organise, for example Golf and General Aviation.

Many are exploring new income streams, trying to modernise ageing facilities and looking for better ways to engage members and attract younger audiences.

Technology is another major area. Operators want systems that simplify bookings, improve communication and help them make better business decisions without creating additional administration.

The Expo has been designed around those challenges. Rather than simply displaying products, we're bringing together companies that offer practical solutions, alongside educational content and networking opportunities that help operators return to their businesses with fresh ideas and tangible actions.

5. Looking around the industry, what trends or technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on racket sports businesses over the next five years—and which of those will visitors see reflected at the Expo?

We're entering a period where technology and customer experience will become major differentiators. Artificial intelligence, smarter booking and membership systems, data-driven coaching, automated court management and digital marketing tools will all become increasingly important.

At the same time, facilities are becoming more flexible. We're seeing more venues embracing multiple racket sports rather than focusing on just one, allowing them to maximise court usage and appeal to a broader audience.

Visitors to the Expo will see these trends reflected throughout the exhibition—from software providers and facility innovations to coaching technology, sustainability solutions and companies helping clubs improve operational efficiency and profitability.

6. Success isn't always measured by visitor numbers. When the doors close at the end of the day, what outcomes will make you feel the inaugural event has achieved its mission?

Of course we'd like to see strong attendance, but success goes far beyond just visitor numbers.

For me, success is hearing that clubs discovered a supplier who can genuinely improve their business, exhibitors generated high-quality leads that translate into long-term customers, and visitors left feeling inspired with ideas they can implement straight away.

If we've helped create new partnerships, encouraged collaboration across different racket sports and established the Expo as the place where the business of racket sports comes together, then I'll consider the inaugural event a success. My ambition is to build Racket Sports Business Expo into something that becomes an annual fixture in the industry calendar and contributes to the continued growth of racket sports throughout the UK.

Free Delegate Passes for RacketBusiness Readers

As part of our partnership with the event, RacketBusiness readers can now register for a FREE delegate pass (saving you the £25.00 ticket fee per ticket)

1. Go to https://www.racketsportsexpo.com/tickets/

2. Select ‘Expo Pass’ and 'Book Now'

3. Fill in personal details and select ‘Add & Continue’

4. If you want to add a guest, click ‘Add Another’ on the top right side of the screen, or simply ignore

5. Fill in your details and use discount code RS26403 in the righthand box under ‘Add Coupons’.

6. Click Apply to bring ticket price to £0.00 and then proceed to complete registration