Padel Players: 8 Steps to Attract, Engage and Retain Them

Padel is experiencing explosive growth in Portugal, with thousands of new players joining every month. For clubs and managers, this represents a huge opportunity — but also a challenge: how do you attract padel players and turn them into loyal customers?

In this article, we explore practical strategies to increase retention, create memorable experiences and position your club as the first choice for padel players of all levels.

1. Who are occasional padel players?

Not all players share the same profile. A significant portion of the community plays only occasionally, without a defined routine. Typically, this type of player:

• Books courts irregularly, often with little notice

• Doesn’t have a fixed partner and prefers casual games

• Likes to try different clubs

• Values convenience and price more than loyalty

Understanding these differences is the first step in creating effective strategies to attract and convert occasional players into recurring customers.

2. Create memorable experiences inside the club

Padel players look for more than a court — they look for a positive experience. To earn their loyalty, your club must go beyond the formality of the booking:

• Personalized reception: Addressing players by name creates instant connection

• Approachable staff: The relationship with the team matters as much as the match itself

• Well-maintained facilities: Clean courts and locker rooms make a big difference

• Social events and internal tournaments: Building community boosts return rates

The more positive the experience, the higher the likelihood that players will return — and choose your club consistently.

3. Make it easier for padel players to find partners

One of the biggest barriers for many padel players is finding partners at the same level. This is where Tieplayer’s Open Games become a powerful tool:

• Players can easily join existing matches

• Court occupancy increases naturally

• Networks form between players of all levels

By creating more opportunities to play, clubs attract new players and encourage occasional ones to become more active.

4. Invest in personalized communication

Relevant communication increases engagement and helps retain padel players. Some best practices include:

• Segmented communication: Invite players to matches at their preferred level and time

• Location-based notifications: Inform players when spots open near them

• Reactivation campaigns: A well-timed incentive can bring inactive players back

With Tieplayer, you can segment messages and deliver personalized experiences that bring clubs closer to their players.

5. Create loyalty programs

If you want to turn padel players into loyal customers, reward those who play more:

• Points system: Players collect points for each booking

• Exclusive perks: Priority in tournaments, discounts or access to special events

• Benefits for fixed pairs: Playing regularly with the same partner can unlock bonuses

A well-designed loyalty program builds habits and strengthens emotional connection with the club.

6. Use data to understand padel players’ habits

Player behaviour reveals a lot about how to improve their experience. With Tieplayer, clubs have access to essential insights such as:

• Most popular days and times

• Most used game types (open games, private games, tournaments)

• Booking frequency

• Cancellation and no-show patterns

Based on this data, you can adjust pricing, create targeted campaigns and organize activities that increase player engagement.

7. Build a strong community

Retention goes beyond the court. Padel players feel more connected to clubs that promote collective experiences. Ideas include:

• Regular internal tournaments

• Social events and partnerships with local brands

• Internal rankings and performance tables

When players feel like part of a vibrant community, they book more often — and stay longer.

8. Differentiate your club from the competition

In a competitive market, standing out is essential for attracting and retaining padel players. Some ways to gain an advantage:

• Simplify booking with intuitive digital solutions

• Offer exclusive features like Open Games and Matchmaker

• Create personalized experiences for frequent players

• Invest in educational content, rankings and exclusive benefits

Tieplayer allows you to automate processes and offer a seamless experience — both decisive factors for earning player preference.

What’s the logic behind all of this?

Attracting new padel players is important — but turning them into loyal customers is what guarantees sustainable growth. With personalized experiences, segmented communication, engaging events and smart technology, retention stops being a challenge and becomes a natural process.

If you want to fill your courts and make your club the number one choice for padel players, start investing in the right strategy with Tieplayer.