Padel vs. Pickleball & Tennis: Costs, Fit, and Player Demand | Ben Nichols, Founder of Padel 22

Padel is booming worldwide, but does that mean it’s right for every club? And how does it really compare to pickleball and tennis from a business and operations standpoint?In this episode of Unscripted, we sit down with Ben Nichols, Founder & CEO of Padel 22, a global PR and marketing agency dedicated to the growth of padel and racquet sports. Joining us from the UK, Ben shares a grounded, global perspective on padel’s rise, how its U.S. growth differs from Europe, and what club owners should actually consider before adding another racquet sport to their facility.This conversation covers:✅ Padel vs pickleball vs tennis: key differences for clubs and players✅ The true cost of building padel courts and common operator misconceptions✅ Why padel is currently positioned as a premium sport in the US✅ How pickleball, padel, and tennis can coexist within multi-sport clubs✅ The crossover between squash, tennis, pickleball, and padel players✅ Why racquet sports are booming in the post-pandemic era✅ Ben’s career journey from Wimbledon’s press office to global padel marketing✅ Why Charleston, South Carolina is emerging as a growing hub for racquet sportsWhether you’re a club owner, investor, operator, or coach, this episode offers a realistic look at the future of racquet sports — and why understanding your audience, costs, and market positioning matters more than chasing trends.👇 Subscribe for more conversations on pickleball, padel, tennis, club operations, and the business of racquet sports.Learn more about Padel 22 here: https://www.padel22.com/