Donegal to get its own padel centre as sport craze catches on!

Padel, the world’s fastest growing sport, is coming to Stranorlar!

The Finn Valley Centre has announced a partnership with Padel100, Ireland’s largest padel chain, to bring the new craze to the campus.

The sport of padel debuted at the 2023 European Games and is on track to be included at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

Globally, it is now played by 25 million people on 40,000 courts – and now Finn Valley is set to join in. Over the coming months, three padel courts will be installed on one of the astroturf courts at the campus.

Padel combines the finesse of tennis with the enclosed thrill of squash and is played on a smaller court, encased by walls that are very much part of the game’s strategy.

Typically a doubles game, it emphasises teamwork and social interaction, making it a hit among enthusiasts looking for both competitive and social play.

“Welcoming padel to the Finn Valley Centre sees us become the first centre in Donegal to add this new sport,” Patsy McGonagle of the Finn Valley Centre said.

“The sport aligns perfectly with our community focus here at Finn Valley. We have consistently led the way over 50 years and are always keen to add new strings to the bow.

“Already at the Finn Valley campus we have a range of sports including athletics, soccer, rugby, Gaelic football, camogie, hurling, gymnastics and swimming. Padel will add a new dimension again to that range and will be another activity for people in our community and beyond to engage in.”

It is hoped that the padel courts at the Finn Valley Centre will be operational in early 2026.

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