Due to open in May 2026, The Padel Loft Aston will feature three new courts and will be accessible to students, staff and the public. The university said the development will create one of the most centrally located padel facilities in Birmingham.

Padel, one of the fastest-growing sports globally, combines elements of tennis and squash and is played on enclosed courts with glass walls. According to LTA Padel, participation more than trebled in 2025 alongside a sharp rise in public awareness.

The facility will be located at the centre of Aston University’s campus, approximately a 10-minute walk from Birmingham New Street station, and is intended to serve both the university community and the wider public. It will be operated by The Padel Loft.

Richard Billingham, chief operating officer at Aston University, said:

‘We are delighted to partner with The Padel Loft to bring this exciting and rapidly growing sport to Aston University. It will provide opportunities for our students, staff and the public to stay active and connect through sport. It will be an important part of campus life and reflects our commitment to the Birmingham Innovation Precinct, part of the wider Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, as a place in the heart of the city that brings people together to work, play and live.

‘One of our 2030 strategy aims is to be recognised as the best place to work and collaborate, bound together by our shared values and commitment to the greater good. This new facility will support our role within the city centre. With its accessible and social nature, it will become a popular destination for both our university community and the wider Birmingham public.’

Vova Semenyaka, co-founder of The Padel Loft Aston, said:

‘We founded The Padel Loft with a clear mission: to work with universities to make padel more accessible and affordable for students while also creating welcoming facilities for the wider community. Aston University is a strong partner for this vision. Its central location and approach to student experience make it a suitable home for a centrally located padel facility.

‘Padel is a social and inclusive sport that is easy to learn. We are looking forward to introducing it to students and local residents who may be discovering it for the first time.

‘Whether you are new to the sport or already play regularly, the facility aims to improve access for people living, working or studying in central Birmingham.’