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Insights Library — All Posts by Category
Explore the Racquet Sports Institute Insights Library—a single place for decision-grade analysis, benchmarks, and practical playbooks. Because no courts, no players, our content keeps facilities at the center while connecting market signals to design and day-to-day operations. You’ll find deep dives on ecosystem trends and country developments, proven facility models, smart management (planning, community, programming, operations tech), architecture that turns strategy into built performance, updates on our forthcoming AI.
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Complementary, Not Competitive: The Real Relationship Between Racquet Sports
This article argues that racquet sports should not automatically be viewed as direct competitors. Instead, squash, padel and pickleball can play different strategic roles within one venue, attracting different user groups and strengthening the overall facility model when the mix is planned properly.
Why Racquet Sports Can No Longer Be Planned in Silos
Racquet sports can no longer be planned as separate worlds. As squash, padel, and pickleball increasingly share audiences, business models, and facility realities, operators and investors need a more integrated way of thinking about growth, design, and long-term sustainability.
McKinsey - Latino Fans Could Power the Next Boom in Racquet Sports Facilities
McKinsey’s 2025 report shows Latino fans will drive one-third of U.S. sports growth by 2035. For racket-sports facilities, this signals huge potential: Latino communities are young, family-oriented, digital, and community-driven—matching the DNA of modern clubs. Facilities should focus on youth programs, cultural authenticity, bilingual digital outreach, and social-event concepts in high-growth Latino regions like California, Texas, and Florida.
Comment to "Impact of Public Courts to Private Clubs"
Jean Vacca (CEO, Padel Now France) says France’s FFT-backed non-profit base expands access but anchors low prices, pressuring private clubs. Upside: committed players seek premium indoor courts, advanced coaching, leagues and community. Playbook: sell the environment, own development, run must-show programs, price around public anchors, target the committed, and partner with municipalities. 2024–25: 814 new courts; 1,000+ forecast; 85k+ competitors; 100k+ licences; subsidies
Impact of Public Courts to Private Clubs
This paper shows how mass-participation policy channels public money into low-cost courts, boosting access while squeezing private clubs on price and utilization. Case studies: squash in England (decline; leisure centers), U.S. pickleball (boom on public courts; private model strained), and Spain’s padel (public provision + demand; private wins via quality/programming). Conclusion: clubs must differentiate through experience, community, positioning, partnerships, and professi
Squash - What Recreational Players Really Spend
The Racquet Sports Institute’s third article explores what recreational squash players actually spend across Europe and the United States. It breaks down membership fees, court costs, gear, and coaching, showing how access drives expenses. Squash remains the most facility-dependent of the three racquet sports, with higher costs tied to indoor clubs and memberships—especially in major U.S. cities.
Pickleball - What Recreational Players Really Spend
The Racquet Sports Institute’s second article breaks down what recreational pickleball players actually spend in the US and Europe. It covers five buckets—court access, memberships, equipment, coaching, and competition. Because many public courts are free, monthly costs can be near zero; community centers charge small drop-in fees, while premium indoor clubs offer ~$120–$160 unlimited plans. Typical budgets range from $0–$50 at parks to ~$144/month at upscale clubs.
Participation is the growth engine — Sport Industry Report 2025
Sport Industry Report 2025 spotlights participation as the primary growth driver. The funnel widens to include wellness and everyday movement, not just formal sport. Durable growth depends on clear grassroots-to-elite pathways and inclusive venue design. Gen Z behaviors and creator-led media act as acquisition gateways, while tech blends physical and digital experiences. Policy and capital are converging on mass-participation projects; content must be strategic to convert and
Levelling the Playing Field - Why Matchmaking Matters
Racquet sports thrive on social play, but pairing players of equal skill is the linchpin. Clubs use four approaches: staff-led introductions, digital apps that auto-match, grassroots WhatsApp/Facebook groups, and structured leagues, ladders and rating nights. Tech is promising yet early, and level definitions vary by sport and country. Facilities win by blending human touch and tools while pushing toward portable, universal ratings.
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