Padel is experiencing rapid growth and attracts new players every day. However, many clubs lose a significant portion of their revenue due to unfulfilled bookings and late payments. Implementing online payment in your padel club is an effective solution to secure your revenue, optimize your organization and improve your members' experience.

In this article, we will see why and how to integrate this solution into your club and how Sports Management, the leader in padel management, can support you in this digital transition.

The different payment options in a padel club

Payment on site: a classic but restrictive method

Historically, payment at the club was the norm: players would show up at reception to pay for their booking or subscription. This approach has several drawbacks:

  • Waste of time for staff and players
  • Managing complicated cancellations and non-payments
  • Need for a permanent human presence at reception
  • Slowdown in operations during peak hours

Today, most services are accessible and payable online. Limiting transactions to on-site payment can hinder the growth and profitability of your club.

Online payment: a revolution for the management of padel clubs

Online payment allows players to pay for their booking immediately from their smartphone, tablet or computer. This offers several advantages:

  • Saves time for everyone
  • Securing income with pre-confirmed payments
  • Reduction of ghost bookings thanks to mandatory payment
  • Smoother, more modern experience for members
  • Automation of accounting, without cash management or reminders

With Sports Management, activating online payment is done in just a few clicks and allows you to structure your financial management smoothly and efficiently.

Why implement online payment in your padel club?

Secure your payments and avoid financial losses

Padel clubs often face ghost bookings. A player books a court but does not show up, and if he has not paid in advance, that slot is lost.

With payment on booking or a bank imprint that secures the transaction, your club is protected against these inconveniences.

Deliver a smoother experience to your players

Online payment is an established habit for most consumers. Booking a table at a restaurant, a plane ticket or a movie ticket can be done in a few seconds. Why not offer the same simplicity for padel courts?

Players appreciate the ability to manage their booking and payment remotely, without constraints. This improves their engagement and promotes their loyalty to your club.

Modernize and professionalize your club

A club that offers online payment projects a dynamic and innovative image. This attracts new members and positions your club as a reference in your region.

Some clubs, like Live Padel, have fully automated their management with mandatory online payment. Lighting and access to the grounds are managed remotely, allowing them to operate with minimal human intervention while ensuring optimal service.

What type of online payment should I choose?

Payment by credit card

This is the fastest and most widely used solution. Payments are secure and instantaneous, allowing you to validate a reservation immediately.

With Gestion Sports, payment by credit card is integrated directly into your reservation platform.

SEPA direct debit

Ideal for subscriptions, this payment method allows players to pay their monthly or annual membership without having to worry about it.

This is a great way to ensure recurring revenue and avoid late payment reminders.

Payment by bank imprint

This system allows you to secure a reservation without immediately collecting the money. The bank imprint is taken when booking, and payment is only debited in the event of a no-show.

This model is particularly effective in reducing last-minute cancellations without penalizing players in the event of a justified unforeseen event.

How to integrate online payment into your club?

Choosing suitable software

Not all management software offers the same features. Sports Management is designed specifically for padel clubs and incorporates:

  • Multi-option online payment (CB, SEPA, bank imprint)
  • Automated accounting monitoring
  • Management of reservations and subscriptions
  • Detailed statistics to manage your activity

Clubs using Sports Management generated more than 4 million euros in transactions in 2024.

Informing your players

Before making online payment mandatory, it is important to explain the reasons for this change to your members.

  • Send an email or push notification to announce system updates
  • Display explanatory signs at the club reception
  • Do demonstrations on your social media to show how simple the process is

The more informed your players are in advance, the smoother the transition will be.

Gradually launch online payment

To avoid disrupting habits, you can start by making online payment available as an option, then gradually make it mandatory.

Another approach is to enable it only on certain time slots, events or subscriptions before extending it to regular bookings.

An essential step for the management of padel clubs

Integrating online payment into your padel club is no longer just a trend, but a real necessity to optimize your management and offer a better experience to your members.

With Sports Management, you have at your disposal a reliable and secure solution, designed by and for padel clubs.

Want to know more and see how it works in practice? Book a free demo and let's discuss your project together.