“For the nice slots at 7:30 p.m., there is a two to three week wait. » The Arena Padel in Niort is stormed by all fans of this racket sport, originating in Mexico and very popular in Spain.
In 2022, Johann Letzelter and Christophe Ott decided to launch it. Un pari osé?
Many lands created in 2025
« The feedback was positive. There were many opening projectssays Johann Letzelter, co-director of the structure and Family Fun Park. We visited Gaël Danic's complex (also a former football player). There was nothing in Niort and Deux-Sèvres. I didn't think it was going to work this well. »
Since then, the four grounds have been taken over. “The occupancy rate is enormousadds the former Chamois Niortais player (2009-2014). It's not uncommon to do 100% in a day. »
A success which prompted the two directors to launch a new structure of four padel courts in Bessines avenue de La Rochelle before the summer of 2025.
“There will also be a multi-activity room and the Quiz Room activity”announces Johann Letzelter, without revealing more.
Another creation in Niort: the establishment of the Impact Stadium, in September 2025, with six pitches and many other activities on offer.
“We don’t need 50 padel courts”
“The land was purchased in February 2020. At the time, the trajectory was already interesting. The complexity is finding existing buildings because you need a significant height, adequate soil and surface area”explains Maxime Bernard, manager of the complex in La Rochelle.
Group lessons are often given in padel complexes.
© (Photo NR, Matthieu Unvoas)
In Bressuire, four courts will be built from January 20 at the Regional Tennis Center, without forgetting the two outdoor tracks of the Niort tennis school or a court in Saint-Pardoux-Soutiers. In Thouars, land should be built in 2026.
“The more centers that open, the more players there will be and the more they will become addictedunderlines Johann Letzelter, while remaining measured. We don't need 50 padel courts in Niort either. »
How can we explain such development and a love of this practice? The sport is fun and spectacular. Playing with the windows is also enjoyable. “There is conviviality among four, the players reach out to others more easily. There are a lot of exchanges. There is pleasure and variety in the game”lists Maxime Bernard.
“You want to play it all the time”
“The padel affects a lot of people and profiles such as children or people with disabilities. As long as you practice with players of the same level, you have funadds Johann Letzelter. You want to play it all the time. »
He became addicted like many other Deux-Sévriens. Tournaments are regularly organized.
“Several French top 10 have already come”welcomes the co-director of the Arena. And unlike the fashion for 5-a-side football fifteen years ago, that of padel could well continue over time according to specialists.
“The parallel existsJohann Letzelter agrees. But padel has existed for more than twenty years in Spain. There are grounds for saying that padel is not just a fad. Canal+ even bought the rights. It's not for nothing. »
