The Charleston City Paper just published a comprehensive look at the Lowcountry racquet scene, tackling the common confusion between padel and pickleball while highlighting the unique rapid growth of the walled sport. The piece does an excellent job of educating the uninitiated, breaking down the specific mechanics (underhand serves, glass walls, hybrid tennis/squash vibes) that make padel distinct. But what makes this piece essential reading is the deep dive into the local boom featuring Ben Nichols, founder of Padel 22 (and the subject of our recent Primetime Profile Q&A here).

Nichols notes that while nine out of ten Americans couldn't tell you what padel is right now, that is rapidly changing as the sport's U.S. journey hits a tremendous upward turn. He sees Charleston as an "embryonic" market that is perfectly positioned to embed the sport into its culture over the next five years, much like its established history as a top tennis destination. The article also highlights the upcoming Mount Pleasant club, opening in November under national operator PATL, which aims to set the national standard for indoor facilities. As PATL founder Andrew Herring explains, running an outdoor club exposes players to brutal weather and the magnifying glass effect of the walls, making purpose-built indoor courts the key to locking in plans and easing business operations.

The Primetime Take: This kind of coverage in an influential local publication is essential for padel's North American takeover. While the US market is currently dominated by pickleball headlines, articles that spend time distinguishing padel—rather than just clumping it into the "pickle-paddle" narrative—are vital for building legitimate category awareness.

Having an industry heavyweight like Nichols validate Charleston's potential proves that there is a distinct, affluent, and committed demographic emerging outside of the primary hubs (Miami, NYC). It validates the massive investment currently flooding into clubs across secondary US cities, especially as developers realize that purpose-built indoor facilities are the ultimate key to year-round revenue.

To read the whole article from the Charleston City Paper, click here.

VVV Sports is betting that padel is not just a trend, but a serious long-term business sector. The AIM-listed company,whose CEO Arran Yentob sat down with us for our exclusive Q&A here, has taken a strategic stake in Padel Social Club (PSC), a UK-based developer looking to aggressively expand its footprint. VVV cited the sport's high demand/low supply dynamics and compelling unit economics as a primary driver for the investment.

The Primetime Take: We often talk about private equity and VC money, but validation from publicly listed entities on traditional exchanges is a massive benchmark for maturity. This investment proves that professional financiers view the "club-as-a-service" model as a scalable asset class with predictable returns, not just a lifestyle play.

To read the whole article from The Armchair Trader, click here.

Health and wellness powerhouse Fitura Brands is streamlining the operational and marketing tech stack across its portfolio, including its Padel Haus concept. By utilizing Revscale’s platform, the group aims to synthesize data from operations and marketing to deploy AI-driven revenue intelligence and automation.

The Primetime Take: Padel club operators, take note: the era of running a club via disjointed spreadsheets and basic booking apps is over. Large multi-concept operators are integrating AI into their tech stacks. This isn't just a marketing gimmick; it's a structural move to optimize court utilization, automate member retention, and maximize lifetime value (LTV) through data.

To read the whole article from Revscale Media, click here.

Jacksonville is officially getting its first indoor padel destination. Conquer Padel has signed a 22,000-square-foot lease at The Shoppes at East San Marco. The developer plans to convert the large-format retail space into an elite indoor club,offering climate-controlled play for the Northeast Florida market.

The Primetime Take: Conquer Padel continues to dominate the Florida expansion narrative by targeting high-growth cities currently underserved by padel. Converting large-format retail in affluent suburban areas is a brilliant play, bringing elite infrastructure directly to the demographic that is demanding it.

To read the whole article from What Now Jacksonville, click here.

One of Texas's premier destinations, Horseshoe Bay Resort, is leaning heavily into the sport with the creation of the Horseshoe Bay Resort Padel Club. The multi-court, private facility will offer a dedicated community for members and guests, anchoring padel as a central amenity in their luxury travel portfolio.

The Primetime Take: When a resort of this caliber integrates a dedicated Padel Club, it’s not an experiment; it’s an amenity that the modern high-net-worth traveler expects. Padel is now a validated benchmark of modern hospitality luxury, replacing golf rounds with high-intensity social play.

To read the whole article from CultureMap Austin, click here.