Padel at the Gardens

Photograph: Time Out Singapore

Your next padel session might come with one of Singapore’s most postcard-worthy backdrops. UBS has teamed up with Gardens by the Bay to bring Padel at the Gardens, a new sporting pop-up on the West Lawn where you can volley, smash and work on your game beneath Singapore’s iconic Supertrees.

Running from September 19 to October 11, the custom-built courts mark the first event of its kind in Singapore, and are part of UBS’ regional Padel Series, which has previously brought the sport to landmarks including Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and the Sydney Opera House.

There are two padel courts available, and they're open daily from 8am to 10pm, with each session running for two hours. The grandstands flanking the courts won't be open to the public, but there'll be rest areas for you to catch a breather between sets or for spectators to watch the action (and admire the backdrop of Supertrees). The best part is that booking is completely free, with open-play sessions and equipment available to rent on-site.

If you’ve somehow avoided the padel boom until now, the sport is essentially tennis and squash’s offspring. Played in doubles on an enclosed glass court, it combines elements of both games, with walls keeping the ball in play and rallies that can get surprisingly intense. It’s also one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, with more than 38 million players across over 170 countries.

Bookings open at 8am on September 19, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll need to download the Playtomic app on the Apple or Google Plsy store, create an account, and book your slot under UBS Centre Court at Gardens by the Bay. Find more information on Gardens by the Bay’s website here .

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