Dubai: an amateur padel destination in the making?

With a dense and modern infrastructure, Dubai asserts itself as an exceptional place for padel lovers. Between its high-level clubs, ideal weather conditions during the good season and an exotic experience, this destination deserves attention. However, some points such as high prices and climatic restrictions require careful preparation.

A question of season and budget

November to April: This is the best time to play. With summer-like weather and guaranteed sunshine, the conditions are ideal. However, court rental fees are a bit higher than in Europe. May to October: The temperatures make outdoor matches unbearable, as I experienced in August. Best to avoid, unless you're playing exclusively indoors.

Another important point: the cost of transport which can weigh down the overall budget. That said, applications like CAREEM (the equivalent ofUber) are very convenient and inexpensive for your travels. As for accommodation, it remains a matter of personal choice.

Club Padel Dubai: a reference

Among the available infrastructures, the Club Padel Dubai stands out for the quality of its equipment:
8 tracks whose 4 interiors air-conditioned with an impressive ceiling height of 12,50 m.
Personalized MONDO tracks in a recent setting (the club dates from 2022).
An ideal location near the metro station Mall of the Emirates (and its famous ski slope).

The club also offers:
1 club house pleasant, varied and complete catering.
1 pro shop among the most beautiful I have ever visited.
A simple booking system via WhatsApp, phone or the booking app to join games.

Coaching and prices

The Club Padel Dubai offers quality course with two resident coaches:
Andrew (Chile) and Vicente (Spain), both educational and suitable for all levels.
The price: approximately 90 € per hour, but packages allow to reduce the price to less than 70 € (tracks included).

For court rentals :
105 € during peak hours.
€83 during off-peak hours.

For all questions, Nicolas, the French manager, is responsive and will be able to guide you.

Padel in Dubai: high density but little coordination

Dubai has approximately 360 tracks spread over 90 clubs, a remarkable density for such a small area. However, the quality of the facilities varies greatly.

The Dubai Federation (UAE PADEL ASSOCIATION), affiliated to the FIP, defines the rules of the tournaments on its territory. But the lack of consultation between the clubs leads to a lack of official ranking, unlike France. Each club therefore organizes its own tournaments, often with prize moneyattractive to attract the best pairs.

Conclusion

Dubai is an exotic and refreshing destination for padel enthusiasts, with a time zone not too far off for Europeans. However, a significant budget is required, especially for transportation, court rentals, and coaching. It’s a place worth discovering, provided you plan your trip carefully.

Fabien Conjat

Padel fan and itinerant traveler, I offer you my point of view on padel sites around the world. Have a good trip!