Markus Gaebel

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.

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’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.