Padel AZ

Padel AZ at Maracana, located at 555 E 18th St, Tucson, AZ 85701, is the first indoor padel club to open in Arizona and one of the earliest dedicated padel venues west of Florida.

The club sits inside Maracana Indoor Sports Arena, a 30,000 sq ft community sports complex in downtown Tucson. It was launched in January 2023 by owner Mladen Kozak after he and his wife researched the sport during the 2020 pandemic.

A second court was added in January 2024. The venue now operates as Tucson’s community indoor padel club with a focus on accessibility, beginner-friendly programming, and a no-membership booking model.

The padel courts at Padel AZ

The club runs 2 indoor panoramic padel courts inside the climate-controlled Maracana arena. This keeps play comfortable through the Tucson summer, when outdoor courts become unusable in the desert heat.

Both courts use the standard 10m by 20m international layout with full glass back walls for panoramic viewing. The indoor environment removes wind and direct sun from play - a meaningful advantage where afternoon temperatures regularly exceed 100F.

Lighting is overhead LED throughout. The surrounding 28,000 sq ft sports complex also hosts a 150ft by 60ft turf field for soccer, lacrosse, flag football, and ultimate frisbee. The venue supplies rackets and padel balls for every booking at no extra cost.

Booking and access at Padel AZ

Court rentals are booked online through DaySmart Recreation via the Padel AZ website. No membership is required to play and online bookings include complimentary racket rental for the whole group.

Morning rates from 8am to 4pm are $50 per hour, $75 for 90 minutes, and $100 for 2 hours. Evening rates from 4pm to 11:30pm step up to $60, $90, and $120 for the same blocks of court time.

Opening hours run 9am to 10pm Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 11:30pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 9am to 10pm Sunday. The late-night weekend window is rare for US padel clubs and suits players who finish work after 7pm.

The venue is in downtown Tucson with free on-site parking, disabled access, changing rooms, WiFi, and a snack bar. The Bench Cafe and Bar inside the complex opened late 2025 and adds a post-match social anchor.

Programme and social play at Padel AZ

Weekly Friday open play sessions run from 9am to 10:30am and 6pm to 9pm at $15 per player. These are the easiest way for newcomers to meet partners, rotate through games, and find a regular padel crew.

A free first-timer’s clinic introduces the rules, scoring, and basic technique for anyone who has never picked up a racket. Private lessons for adults and youth are bookable directly with the coaching team by email.

Youth classes run in two age bands - ages 5 to 8 at 4pm and ages 9 to 14 at 5pm - at $23 per class. A league season ran from mid-August 2025 with rotating divisions, and a WhatsApp community group connects regulars and helps fill open slots.

Best for at Padel AZ

Padel AZ suits Tucson residents and University of Arizona students wanting indoor padel courts that stay playable year-round. The downtown location, free parking, and equipment-included pricing also make it a strong fit for snowbirds and winter visitors escaping colder states.

Complete beginners are well served by the free intro clinic and racket-included bookings. Casual social players gravitate to Friday open play and the WhatsApp partner-finder group, while the youth programme and private coaching support families and competitive juniors building tournament-ready skills.

For contact, email PadelArizona@gmail.com or text (520) 235-7094. Follow @padel_az on Instagram for clinic schedules, league dates, and open play updates.

Padel AZ offers a free first-timer's clinic for complete beginners covering rules, scoring, and basic strokes, alongside private lessons for adults and juniors bookable by email. Youth group classes run in two age bands - ages 5 to 8 at 4pm and ages 9 to 14 at 5pm - at $23 per class, and a structured league season runs annually with rotating divisions. For private coaching enquiries or to book a clinic, email PadelArizona@gmail.com.