The padel fever in Chile broke out in 2021, becoming one of the favorite sports in post-pandemic times, considering that its practically zero physical contact reduced the possibilities of contagion.However,the current reality has changed.According to data from the Easycancha platform, between January and November 2024, they have registered a decline in monthly padel reservations of 27%, which translates into a drop of approximately 37,000 reservations.
It could be said that paddle tennis fever in Chile broke out in 2021, becoming one of the favorite sports in post-pandemic times, considering that its practically zero physical contact reduced the possibilities of contagion, versus other activities such as football or basketball. . That’s how he sees it at least Eduardo Donosogrowth director of Easycanchawho explained to The Clinic That at that time this discipline grew exponentially.
“Spaces began to open due to the pandemic, where people were looking for somewhere to socialize and comply with health regulations. Paddle tennis fully meets this requirement, since the court is smaller and dose not require so much technical complexity, it makes it ‘easier’ to approach this sport and generate a bond between all athletes, being more accessible for everyone.”Donoso said.
But the reality today is different, especially due to supply and demand factors. The equation is simple: approximately three years ago, paddle tennis was the fashionable pastime - the reasons for its popularity, according to those who practice it, are that it enhances physical activity, allows small social gatherings and does not require extraordinary physical condition. Therefore, there was a greater number of interested people, and very few venues to practice this sport, hence the occupancy was high and efficient.
However, today the number of clubs has increased considerably, gradually moving towards a point of balance.
Nicolás Abarca, senior studies analyst at GPS Property,pointed out that during this year,in line with the results of the study called “Radiography of Pádel Centers RM 2024”, There are 105 paddle tennis centers registered in the Metropolitan Region,distributed in 29 communes.
“Although we do not have specific records since 2021, we estimate that these centers have experienced notable growth, driven by the rise of this sporting activity in recent years and the ease of construction that characterizes these facilities,” Abarca said.
As for the communes with the greatest concentration, GPS highlights Maipú, Colina and La Florida, with 11 centers each. They are followed by Las Condes, with 10 centers, and Huechuraba (8 centers), which together represent 48.8% of the total padel centers in the metropolitan Region.
Is it still a profitable business? In Abarca’s opinion, “yes, it can still be considered a profitable business. the speed in the construction of these centers, compared to other real estate developments, is a factor that has favored the proliferation of these spaces. Additionally, high demand in certain communities, along with competitive rental prices, ensures a constant flow of users.. Rates can reach $34,000 per 90 minutes in communities like las Condes, which reflects notable income potential.”
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Paddle growth levels “are no longer the same”
Regarding whether he has seen a downward trend in enthusiasm for paddle tennis, Donoso from Easycancha maintained that, indeed, “the levels of growth at the consumption level are no longer the same,” and pointed out that “currently, in some cases, we still see growth in padel consumption, but it is not the same as three years ago, where growth was three digits (+170% average).Today, with a more mature market at a general level, growth is around 5%-10% on average compared to the previous year, where during this second semester, we have seen a drop of 12% on average.”
Actually, he mentioned that “in the last six months we see an average of a 10% drop in padel rental consumption, but not their average prices, remaining the same as they have been in recent years.”
Along with this, Donoso said that Between January and November of this year, they have registered a decline in monthly padel reservations of 27%, which translates into a drop of approximately 37,000 reservations.
He also spoke on the subject Fabián Parolin, president of the National Paddle Federation of Chile (Fedepachi), who explained that “the fall is logical, and we always announce it, as at the beginning we were one of the few options to play sports due to the pandemic, and then he decided to fashion, and fashions can last between one and five years.” However, he indicated that “it still helped us to make paddle tennis a widely practiced sport in Chile today.”
Regarding the number of sports clubs, he mentioned that “Today there must be almost 50% less than in the boom, but that still means a huge growth since before it was played by a very small group.Today more than 80 clubs that we certainly know of in the country have already closed, and they will continue to closebut that is more than anything as the growth of paddle tennis was overstated, and many investors believed that this would not stop. And today there is more supply than demand and that means that many clubs no longer give them the numbers.”
2024-12-05 18:17:00
How has the growth of padel clubs in Chile impacted player engagement and the overall popularity of the sport?
Interview between the Time.news editor and Padel Expert Eduardo Donoso
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Eduardo Donoso! The rise of padel in Chile has been remarkable sence 2021, but recent data indicates a drop in participation. Can you shed light on what led to the initial boom?
Eduardo Donoso: Thank you for having me! Yes, the padel fever that gripped Chile post-pandemic was unprecedented. Padel is played in a smaller space and involves minimal physical contact,allowing people to safely socialize while adhering to health regulations. This accessibility made it the perfect sport during those times.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! You mentioned accessibility—a significant factor indeed. But as we see now in 2024, there’s been a 27% decline in padel reservations, which translates to around 37,000 fewer bookings. What do you think contributed to this shift?
Eduardo Donoso: the initial enthusiasm was due to a scarcity of facilities and high demand, but that landscape has changed. The number of clubs has increased dramatically.We currently have 105 padel centers in the Metropolitan Region alone. This growth, while positive, has begun to saturate the market.
Time.news Editor: That’s captivating—so essentially,we’ve moved from a supply-demand imbalance to more equilibrium?
Eduardo Donoso: Exactly! While more venues means more opportunities for players,it dilutes the intensity of engagement we saw in the earlier days. Padel was once the go-to activity, but with so manny options available now, it’s possible that people are diversifying their recreational activities.
Time.news Editor: A good point! Nicolás Abarca mentioned that regions like Maipú, Colina, and La Florida have seen significant concentrations of clubs. How does the location impact the profitability of these centers?
Eduardo Donoso: Location is crucial. Areas with higher population density and limited formality in sports activities tend to attract more users. For instance, rates can reach up to $34,000 for 90 minutes in affluent areas like Las Condes. This reflects both demand and affordability in those communities. So if you’re strategically placed, you can still see substantial returns.
Time.news Editor: With the decline in reservations, do you see potential for innovation within the sport or its marketing to revive enthusiasm?
Eduardo Donoso: Definitely! I believe we need to rethink our approach—creating community events, enhancing coaching experiences, or even introducing mixed tournaments can engage different demographics. We need to pull the excitement back in. Social media campaigns can also bring new players into the fold, who might be unaware of how enjoyable padel can be.
Time.news Editor: That sounds promising! It also appears that padel’s non-strenuous nature allows a broader audience to participate. Do you think this aspect can be leveraged to draw in more casual players?
Eduardo Donoso: Absolutely! Padel is not just for the highly athletic; it can cater to anyone looking for a fun, social activity. Families, friends, and colleagues can come together, which fosters community and keeps the sport lively. The more we highlight this aspect, the better our chances of revitalizing interest.
Time.news Editor: Eduardo, thank you for providing such insightful commentary on the current landscape of padel in Chile. It seems like while there are challenges, opportunities for growth remain abundant.
Eduardo Donoso: It was a pleasure speaking with you! Yes, despite the fluctuations, the future of padel can be bright with the right strategies and community approaches. let’s keep the enthusiasm alive!