ISM Padel Sama International school

ISM Padel Sama International School brings three outdoor padel courts to Sama International School (formerly Italian International School) in Khalifa City, SE44, Abu Dhabi. Operated by ISM Sports, the venue sits within easy reach of the E20 and E30 highways.

ISM Padel Sama International School padel is open to the general public - not just school families - with all bookings handled through Playtomic. The courts were the first padel facility installed at a school in Abu Dhabi and remain popular across the city.

ISM Sports was founded by Sam Whitaker and Jo Terry, who between them bring over 40 years of coaching experience. The company serves approximately 2,000 students weekly across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. ISM Sports also operates padel courts at Al Habtoor Polo Resort.

The padel courts

The venue has three full-size doubles padel courts, all outdoors with glass walls and crystal-surface turf. Each court is individually bookable online and named Padel 1, Padel 2 and Padel 3. The crystal surface provides consistent ball bounce and good grip underfoot.

All three courts are floodlit, allowing play well into the evening. Weekday sessions run from 16:30 to 23:00, while weekends open at 06:00 for early morning games. The courts are well maintained and described by visitors as clean and in good condition.

The venue is cashless only, so players should be prepared to pay by card or through the Playtomic app. Equipment hire is available on site for those who do not have their own rackets or balls.

Booking and access

All court bookings are made through Playtomic. A 60-minute session costs AED 160 per court (AED 40 per person for four players). A 90-minute booking is AED 200 per court (AED 50 per person). A 120-minute slot is AED 250 per court (AED 62.50 per person).

Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 16:30 to 23:00, Friday 12:30 to 23:00, and Saturday to Sunday 06:00 to midnight. The weekday start time of 16:30 reflects the school setting - courts open once the school day finishes.

Free parking is available on the school grounds in Khalifa City, off the SE44 sector. For enquiries, contact ISM Sports on +971 58 597 0793 or email info@ismsports.org. The venue-specific number is +971 52 951 8082 and the email is ahmed@ismsports.org.

Padel programme and social

ISM Sports runs both adult and junior padel coaching at the venue. The company employs qualified coaches and has extended its established tennis coaching model into padel. Group sessions and private lessons are available on request.

The venue hosts regular padel social nights for casual competitive play in a relaxed environment. Tournaments are also organised periodically. Families benefit from after-school padel sessions through ISM Sports’ junior programme.

Holiday camps running across 10 venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often include padel as an activity option. A cafeteria is available on site for refreshments, and free WiFi covers the venue. The campus provides a safe, well-lit environment with good security.

Best for

ISM Padel Sama International School suits Khalifa City residents wanting outdoor padel without a long drive. The public booking model via Playtomic means no membership is required and no school affiliation is needed. It works particularly well for families.

Evening players benefit from floodlit courts and late closing times. The 06:00 weekend opening suits early risers looking to play before the Abu Dhabi heat builds. Players seeking indoor courts or a full club experience with a pro shop or gym should look elsewhere.

The cashless-only policy and Playtomic-based booking system keep things simple and modern. With three courts and fair pricing, ISM Padel at Sama International School fills a gap in the Khalifa City padel scene for accessible outdoor play.

ISM Sports provides in-house padel coaching for adults and juniors at the venue, delivered by their team of qualified coaches as part of their broader sports academy programme.