“We think padel is the new golf – but is a lot cheaper to play,” says the new sponsor at the city’s popular padel courts.

Dedicated to one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, True Padel opened in the former Wickes Unit on Wessington Way in January 2025 after a major transformation of the site.

Matthew Cook, of Northern Spire, left, with Adam Carr and Sam Sweeney, of True Padel Sunderland | Submitted

placeholder image — Matthew Cook, of Northern Spire, left, with Adam Carr and Sam Sweeney, of True Padel Sunderland | Submitted

And it’s proved a big hit!

So much so, they’re expanding into the adjacent unit to meet demand, which will make it one of the largest dedicated indoor padel clubs in the North East and one of the largest indoor padel centres in the UK.

Now, Sunderland-based wealth management company, Northern Spire, has sponsored a court at True Padel.

“We think padel is the new golf – but is a lot cheaper to play,” said Matthew Cook, Director, of Northern Spire. “So many of our clients are already playing or thinking of trying it out. A few of us at Northern Spire have already caught the bug, and we’re sure corporate padel events here will be popular with our clients.”

Inside Sunderland's True Padel, which has proved a big hit | Sunderland Echo

Northern Spire’s deal with True Padel includes sponsorship of the court, with their branding on the glass wall of the court, on the net and on the booking system.

The deal also includes an option to take over the whole venue for a corporate event.

Matthew added: “We’re certainly interested in organising a full corporate event, which would be as much fun as a golf day, but would take a lot less time!”

Adam Carr, a Director at True Padel, said: “We’re grateful to Northern Spire for their support. Our venue has been open just over a year and we’ve exceeded our expectations – which is why we’re expanding into next door.

“This expansion will give us seven double courts and four singles courts, making us one of the largest padel venues in the UK.

“We’re also still actively looking for more venues in the region.”

Sam Sweeney, General Manager at True Padel Sunderland, added: “It’s a very social sport, as Northern Spire know. We have a sports lounge where players like to relax after a game. Padel is an easy game to pick up and is inexpensive.”

Padel power

Comedian Jason Manford loves padel and led sessions in Sunderland last year | Sunderland Echo

Padel is a dynamic racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash and is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

Between 2019 and 2025, there was a 2,500 per cent rise in players and there are more than 1,500 padel courts across 560 venues within the UK.

Since opening in Sunderland, more than 10,000 people have tried padel at True Padel, with nearly 1,000 becoming regular players who now form a thriving local community, including a session with comedian Jason Manford who taught local schoolchildren at the venue.

The club’s popularity, driven by padel’s accessibility and strong social culture, has seen early-morning, daytime and evening sessions consistently busy, prompting the next phase of growth at the existing site.