Where to Play Padel in Chicago: 5 Clubs + What's Coming

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.

Cube fills the South Side gap with three indoor courts on Ashland Ave, just south of Bridgeport. The facility is smaller than Union or Proximo but the courts are panoramic-glass and well-lit, and the club's extended hours — early-morning bookings, late evenings — make it the most accommodating option for shift workers and parents. Cube draws a more local, neighborhood-driven crowd than the West Loop scene: tighter community, fewer leagues, easier court access on weeknights.

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.

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.

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.

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.