Padel Pals has officially launched in Mesa, introducing the Valley’s first fully indoor padel club. Located at 4945 S. 71st Street next to Loop 202, the facility spans 44,000 square feet and features seven climate-controlled courts, a bar and lounge, co-working spaces, and a no-membership model that allows easy booking through the Playtomic app. Courts are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with walk-ins welcome.
Global sport meets local community
Padel, a sport played on glass-walled courts one-third the size of tennis courts, has grown to 25 million players and 50,000 courts worldwide. Padel Pals was founded by CEO Armando Acevedo, coach and co-founder Carlos Pereyra, and professional boxer Oscar Valdez, combining international expertise with local enthusiasm. “We built a club ahead of its time, designed from feedback from players around the world,” said Acevedo. “Mesa stood out for its growth, diversity, and energy — it’s the perfect place to bring an international sport to a community that’s ready for it.”
What sets Padel Pals apart
- Seven indoor courts built by global manufacturer Padel Galis, ensuring world-class play without Arizona’s heat or wind
- A no-membership, open-door model welcoming everyone from beginners to competitive athletes
- A social ecosystem with a bar, lounge, co-working spaces, and a kids’ zone
- Pereyra’s Padel Academy offering private lessons, free clinics, and structured training programs
- Weekly leagues, USPA-sanctioned tournaments, and themed “Padel Pals Nights” with DJs and food trucks
Building a community through sport
Coach Carlos Pereyra emphasized the inclusive nature of padel. “The magic of padel is that it makes people feel like athletes again,” he said. “You can pick up a racket for the first time and be rallying within minutes. It’s fun, it’s social, and it brings people together. At Padel Pals, we’ve created a space where anyone—from first-timers to seasoned competitors—can train hard, play with purpose, and still unwind afterward with friends, family, and fellow padel lovers. It’s more than a club; it’s a community.”
Future ambitions
With padel under consideration for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games, Padel Pals aims to establish Arizona as a training hub for national talent. The founders plan to host multiple USPA tournaments in the club’s first year and expand with a second location in Tempe or Scottsdale by early 2026. Professional boxer Oscar Valdez summed up the vision: “Play. Compete. Belong — that’s our motto. This is a place to build friendships, challenge yourself, and experience a sport that’s changing the world. We’re not just opening courts; we’re building a culture.”
