BOLZANO. We are the only provincial capital in Italy without a padel court. If we extend the analysis to the whole of Alto Adige, things are no better: around twenty fields in total, of which just four are covered (one at Rungg and three in the newly inaugurated facility in Merano). For enthusiasts it means that finding a free hour is very complicated in summer and almost a challenge in winter. Yet, despite an inexplicable lack of structures, the movement is growing rapidly: there are around 400 members, without considering the many amateurs who don’t make up the numbers and play once in a while.
In the city of Bolzano, not even the shadow of a field. Three will be built in via Maso della Pieve, next to the football pitch, but the entire area is still a construction site. The company carrying out the work, during an inspection, found asbestos in various parts of the land. Polluting material also discovered in a nearby Ipes house the year before. At that point the technicians had to redesign the program with the deadlines and the construction site remained at a standstill for months. Remediation and safety measures have been carried out. Now we can see the finish line.
«We should be there, we will start in March at the latest – explains the deputy mayor Stephan Konder – because we are inserting a variant to allow the possible coverage of the fields”. Possible because it will depend on the budget surplus and which projects we decide to focus on. Bolzano therefore risks having the fields, but playing for eight months of the year. The cost of the project is 1,348,362 euros, totally financed by Pnrr funds.
The reactions of the players
«Covering a pitch is fundamental, otherwise a youth sector will never exist. The padel courses follow the school calendar and run from September to June, therefore they include the entire winter period. Making them discovered would be a serious mistake”, underlines Mathis Pesarin. He is the first regional player in order of ranking and travels around Italy for tournaments: «Looking around – he continues - you realize that we are light years behind other realities. But you only need to go even to Trentino to notice the difference. Here there are more than 400 players, including many young people interested in starting, who cannot find space.”
Differences with other realities
The biggest promoter of provincial tournaments is called Tomas Perini. «There isn’t room for everyone – he confirms -. Perhaps those who are members of a club can play even twice a week, for an amateur it is difficult and, for the movement, it also becomes a damage on an economic level. If a person from Bolzano has to go to Merano every time, an hour’s drive away, he loses the desire.” The real difficulty, in Alto Adige, is building. «I had organized a group of entrepreneurs – explains Perini – but it is full of bureaucratic obstacles. The land can be used, but a change of use is required and many municipalities do not accept it. In Nalles we had a project, which ended in nothing because the area is at hydrological risk, as is Bronzolo.” Andrea Tait, from Bolzano, instead represents the voice of many amateurs: «From October to March I go to play at San Giacomo, but often in particular conditions, because perhaps the ground is damp and you risk hurting yourself. Free hours are only found in the morning or early afternoon, but it is not compatible with working hours. In the city we have been waiting for these fields for years, but they have not yet been seen. Anyone who starts playing is discouraged by the situation.”
A boom in subscribers
Padel, simple to learn and therefore accessible to all, more than tennis, has also attracted a large female movement. «We started out as three last year – underlines Barbara Stimpfl, a member of Tc Rungg – now there are more than 50 players. It all started for fun, following my husband. Now it has become an addiction. However, the number of camps in Alto Adige is not proportionate to the number of members.” The position taken by the municipal League, with its group leader Roberto Selle, is strong: «It can no longer be accepted that the capital, which produces a significant portion of the provincial GDP, is almost always at the rear in sports facilities. Explain to us why Merano has covered fields and in Bolzano they will arise, perhaps, in spring. Furthermore, without coverage, which will be discussed again in 2026.”
How can collaboration among stakeholders improve padel infrastructure in Bolzano?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Padel Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re diving into the growing movement of padel in Bolzano, a city that has become a focal point for enthusiasts despite lacking infrastructure. I’m here with Mathis Pesarin, a top regional player, and Tomas Perini, an organizer of provincial tournaments. Thank you both for joining us!
Mathis Pesarin: Thank you for having us!
Tomas Perini: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Time.news Editor: Let’s start with you, Mathis. You mentioned in a recent statement that Bolzano is “light years behind” other areas regarding padel facilities. Can you elaborate on that?
Mathis Pesarin: Absolutely! While we have about 400 members in the region, our options for playing are severely limited. In places like Trentino, they have a much better setup, with more courts and opportunities to play. Here, we don’t even have a single court in Bolzano! This gap makes our growth and development stunted, especially for youth who are eager to get involved.
Time.news Editor: It sounds challenging for young players. Can you share how the lack of covered courts impacts training and participation?
Mathis Pesarin: Covering the courts is crucial, especially considering that our training follows the school calendar, from September to June. Without coverage, youth programs would struggle to exist. Winter play is essential, but playing outdoors means facing harsh conditions, which can discourage young athletes from pursuing the sport.
Time.news Editor: That leads us to you, Tomas. You’ve worked hard to promote provincial tournaments but mentioned that space is a major issue. Can you explain the situation from an organizer’s perspective?
Tomas Perini: Certainly. The demand for courts far exceeds the supply. Members of clubs might get the chance to play twice a week, but for amateurs, securing a free hour can be nearly impossible. This limits participation and ultimately affects the economic potential of our movement. We’ve faced significant bureaucratic hurdles in trying to acquire land for new courts, making progress painfully slow.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned bureaucratic obstacles. Can you elaborate on what specific challenges you’re facing?
Tomas Perini: Sure. Many municipalities are hesitant to approve changes in land use, which is necessary for building new courts. For instance, we had a project planned in Nalles, but it fell through due to hydrological risks. These bureaucratic challenges really hinder our ability to expand and build the infrastructure we need.
Time.news Editor: Mathis, how does the situation in Bolzano affect your training and competition opportunities?
Mathis Pesarin: For me, having to travel to Merano, which is an hour away, significantly limits my practice time and overall motivation. The repeated travel can feel exhausting, and I know it discourages others, too. We need more accessible facilities to foster talent and have competitive players who can represent Bolzano effectively.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like there’s a lot of potential that’s currently untapped. What initiatives or strategies do you think could help improve the situation for padel in Bolzano?
Tomas Perini: I believe greater collaboration is necessary among stakeholders—local government, private investors, and the community. Simplifying bureaucratic processes could also attract more entrepreneurs to invest in our padel infrastructure. More dialog between all parties would likely lead to new ideas and quicker actions.
Mathis Pesarin: I completely agree. Raising awareness in the local community about the benefits of padel and advocating for youth programs is also essential. If we can show the demand and the potential, maybe we can push for quicker developments.
Time.news Editor: It’s clear that while challenges exist, there’s also a passionate community ready to grow the sport. Thank you, Mathis and Tomas, for sharing your insights today. We hope to see some positive changes in Bolzano’s padel scene soon!
Mathis Pesarin: Thank you!
Tomas Perini: Thank you for having us!