Where to Play Padel in Chicago: 3 Clubs + What's Coming
Where to Play Padel in Chicago: 3 Clubs + What's Coming
Three indoor clubs in the city, two more on the way, and what to know before you book.
Chicago went from a single members-only padel court to a full-blown scene in under two years. Chicago has three clubs offering padel — two open to the public, one private — and two more Proximo locations are on the way. The suburbs add three more open clubs, covered in our North Shore guide. With the city's winters, every club worth booking is indoor, and most run year-round leagues, drop-in social play, and intro clinics for new players.
This guide covers every padel club in the Illinois metro, who they're best for, and how to get on a court this week.
Chicago's Growing Padel Scene
The first dedicated commercial club, Union Padel Club, opened in the West Loop in January 2026. Proximo Padel followed two months later with a 27,000 sq ft flagship in Portage Park. Saddle & Cycle Club, the historic North Side athletic club, also has a single indoor court — but you'll need a membership.
Most growth from here is coming from one operator: Proximo. The brothers behind the Portage Park flagship have publicly committed to two more Chicago-area locations in 2026 — one on Goose Island and another in north suburban Northbrook.
If you're brand new to the sport, start with what is padel and the padel rules beginners guide before booking a clinic. Most Chicago clubs run weekly intro sessions in the $30–50 range.
Best Indoor Padel Clubs in Chicago
Union Padel Club
Union opened in January 2026 in a 30,000 sq ft converted warehouse on Paulina St, and quickly became the de facto home of Chicago's competitive padel community. Five panoramic courts with 30 ft ceilings sit alongside a sauna, cold plunge, restaurant/bar, and a small coworking lounge — the club is built for members who want to spend a half-day there, not just clock in for a 90-minute booking. Coaching staff includes former tour pros, and the club hosts the city's most-active competitive ladders. Early-bird Core membership runs around $110/month; non-members can book courts at hourly rates.
Courts: 5 | Type: Indoor | Ceiling: 30ft | Rating: 5.0★
Proximo Padel
Founded by two brothers betting on padel as Chicago's next big sport, Proximo opened its flagship in Portage Park in March 2026. The 27,000 sq ft facility houses seven padel courts plus pickleball, a juice bar, and a social lounge — the largest dedicated padel footprint in the city. Court availability is generally better than Union's, especially for walk-in social play, and the operator is targeting a broader, more recreational audience. If you're newer to the sport or want to play on weekends without booking three weeks out, Proximo is the easier door to walk through.
Courts: 7 | Type: Indoor
Saddle & Cycle Club
Founded in 1895, Saddle & Cycle is a private athletic club on Foster Ave with tennis, golf, swimming, ice skating — and now a single indoor padel court tucked into its racquet sports footprint. Membership is required, with a multi-year waitlist for new members and substantial initiation fees. If you're already a member, this is the easiest court access in the city. If you're not, treat it as informational only — Union and Proximo are both better entry points to the sport.
Courts: 1 | Type: Indoor | Ceiling: 26ft | Rating: 4.6★
Coming Soon
Proximo Padel Goose Island
Proximo's second Chicago location lands on Goose Island later in 2026, putting a club within easy reach of River North, Lincoln Park, and the Loop. Expect the same format as the Portage Park flagship — multiple courts, pickleball, and a social-first lounge — at a more central address. No exact opening date or court count has been announced yet; check back, or join Proximo's mailing list for early-access bookings.
Proximo Padel Northbrook
The North Shore gets its first dedicated padel club when Proximo Northbrook opens later this year. The location will serve Glencoe, Wilmette, Highland Park, and Evanston — communities that currently have to drive into the city for a court. Like Goose Island, opening details are still pending. Expect a similar mix of padel and pickleball with a social-first design.
How to Book Courts in Chicago
The main booking platform in Chicago is Playtomic, used by both Union and Proximo. It's a free app; you create an account, pick a club, browse open slots, and pay at booking. Cancellation windows are typically 12–24 hours.
A few practical tips:
- Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the easiest times to find a court at either commercial club.
- Weekend prime time (Saturday 9 AM – 1 PM, Sunday afternoons) books up 5–10 days in advance — set a calendar reminder.
- Drop-in social play is the fastest way to meet partners. Union runs daily Open Play; Proximo has rotating Mix-In nights.
- First-time players should book a 60-min clinic ($30–50) before joining a social. The court is half the size of a tennis court but plays nothing like one.
- Court rates in Chicago run $40–60/hour off-peak and $80–120/hour at prime time, split between four players. Equipment rentals are typically $5–10.
You can compare availability across all Chicago clubs on Padel Browser to see what's bookable now without bouncing between apps.
If you're traveling in from out of town, Union and Proximo both welcome guest bookings — no membership required. Bring court shoes (gum sole, non-marking) and any club will rent you a racket for the session.
Chicago's padel scene is genuinely young — most of the city's regulars have been playing for less than two years. It's the right moment to get in.
Frequently Asked Questions
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