Canberra Racquet Club

Canberra Racquet Club padel brings six indoor courts to 18 Nyrang Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609. The club opened in May 2025 as part of a national chain co-founded by television presenter Darren McMullen, entrepreneur Lee Ritson and Tristan Dougan. Spanning 4,000 square metres, the facility is the ACT’s first dedicated padel and pickleball venue.

It sits in Fyshwick’s commercial precinct with easy access from Canberra Avenue and the Kingston Foreshore. Canberra Racquet Club welcomes everyone from first-time players to seasoned competitors looking for a regular hit.

McMullen became obsessed with padel during the pandemic and attended conventions around the world before launching the first Racquet Club in Sydney in 2023. He wanted a venue with music, atmosphere and soul rather than a sterile sports hall.

The Canberra outpost is the brand’s third location, joining Sydney and Melbourne, with a Gold Coast site on the way. Club manager Sonja Balic oversees day-to-day operations and has shaped the community programme since the soft-launch period.

The ethos here is open access rather than members-only exclusivity. Spectators, families and even pets are welcome courtside. A WhatsApp community group helps players find partners, and Open Match listings on Playtomic let solo visitors join games at short notice.

The padel courts

All six padel courts sit indoors under a permanent roof, making the club a genuine year-round option for Canberra’s cold winters and hot summers. Each court features super-panoramic glass walls with no visible joins, giving spectators a clear view from the lounge and bar area.

The playing surfaces come in two colours - pink and blue - making this one of the first venues in Australia to install pink padel courts. Courts are doubles-sized and built to international competition dimensions.

Artificial turf with sand infill provides consistent ball bounce and reliable footing. Lighting is by indoor LED arrays, delivering even coverage across the full playing area without glare. Playtomic lists each court individually as Padel 1 through Padel 6.

Beyond padel, the venue has four indoor pickleball courts on a concrete surface, bringing the total court count to ten. The multi-sport setup means groups with mixed interests can book side by side.

Booking and access

All court bookings run through the Playtomic app, available on iOS and Android. Players create a profile, search for Canberra Racquet Club and select a date and time. The app also supports Open Matches for finding partners.

Padel court hire runs at $60 per hour off-peak (Monday to Friday, 6 am to 5 pm) and $80 per hour during peak times (weekday evenings from 5 pm and all weekend until 5 pm). Late sessions from 9.30 pm to 10 pm drop to $60.

Split between four players, that works out to $15 to $20 per person per hour ($60 to $80 per court). Racket hire is $10 and balls are included with every booking.

Playtomic wallet top-ups come in six tiers from $50 (Baseline) to $1,640 (Black Label). Larger wallets include bonus credit, making them worthwhile for regular players.

Membership adds further savings - $30 per month or $330 per year - unlocking a 10 per cent discount on court hire and priority booking access. Book a court on Playtomic to check live availability and pricing.

The venue is open seven days a week from 6 am to 10 pm. Free on-site parking is available for all visitors. Contact the club on 0417 318 799 or email canberra@racquetclub.com.au.

Padel programme and social

The club runs private lessons and group clinics tailored to each player’s level. Clinics cover beginner, intermediate and ladies sessions, plus specialist masterclasses in defensive and attacking play. Group clinic pricing sits at $50 per person.

Regular social events keep the community active. Padel and Pizza nights combine tournament-style play with food and drinks, with entry from $35 to $45 per person. League competitions run throughout the season for those after a competitive ladder.

The club also hosts corporate events in three formats - a casual Social Smash, a structured Corporate Cup and a fully customised Build-a-Battle experience. Private lesson rates are available on request directly from the venue.

A partnership with Pickleball Canberra brings Monday night social sessions to the venue. The WhatsApp community group and Playtomic’s match-finding features mean there is almost always someone looking for a game.

Best for

Canberra Racquet Club padel suits newcomers who want a relaxed first experience without the pressure of a private members’ club. Taster sessions and equipment hire remove every barrier to trying the sport.

Intermediate and advanced players benefit from the panoramic courts, evening leagues and clinic programme. The bar and lounge - designed by Sally Hieatt of The Malbon, Bungendore - serve Red Brick Coffee alongside a full drinks menu.

Changing rooms with showers, lockers and WiFi round out the facilities. The venue also caters for visitors with accessibility needs, including step-assisted mobility access. The pro shop stocks rackets and accessories for purchase on site.

With sister venues in Sydney and Melbourne under the same Racquet Club brand, members travelling interstate can tap into the same booking system and community network wherever they go.

Private lessons and group clinics for all levels, including beginner, intermediate and ladies sessions plus defensive and attacking masterclasses. Group clinics are $50 per person.