Is Aalst Worth Building a Padel Center In?

As of November 2026, Padelnomics counts 2 padel clubs in Aalst, Belgium, or 11.6 padel courts per 100,000 residents, in a city of about 78,000 residents. Its Padelnomics Score, our rating of the opportunity for a new club, is 72 out of 100. Source: Padelnomics, from booking platforms, public map data and official population statistics.

Padel Venues
2
padelnomics Score
72.0/100
Courts/100K
11.6
Population
78K
Key takeaway: Aalst is a standout investment opportunity — strong demand signals, meaningful supply gaps, and unit economics that support new builds.

Yes — Aalst ranks among the most promising locations in Belgium with a padelnomics Score of 72.0/100. This page breaks down what a padel investment in Aalst costs, what it returns, and how the local market compares — with a financial model you can adjust to your scenario.

The question that matters: given current pricing, occupancy, and build costs, what does a padel investment in Aalst actually return? The financial model below uses the national court prices and occupancy for Belgium and the country's build costs; the figures measured in Aalst itself are in Research.

What Does a Padel Investment Cost in Aalst?

On national figures for Belgium, here is what a padel center investment in Aalst looks like:

Aalst, BE Investment Breakdown
Item Amount Detail
Padel Courts €100,000 4×dbl + 0×sgl
Shipping €6,000
Floor Preparation €6,323
HVAC Upgrade €10,539
Lighting Upgrade €5,269
Fit-Out & Reception €21,078
Permits & Compliance €13,641
Equipment €3,200
Working Capital €7,904
Miscellaneous €6,000
Contingency (10%) €17,995
Total CAPEX €197,949
Per Court €49,487
Per m² €155
LTV 0%
Equity €197,949
Loan €0
Total €197,949

Construction costs vary significantly depending on whether you build an indoor or outdoor facility. Indoor halls in Belgium run considerably higher — structural build, ventilation, and lighting drive the cost. Outdoor courts are cheaper to construct but limit your operating season and revenue potential. The number of courts is the single biggest lever on total investment: each additional court lowers the per-court cost, but increases your total capital at risk.

Revenue Potential in Aalst

Aalst, BE Revenue & Operating Costs

Revenue Model

Weighted Rate €22/hr
Utilization Target 30%
Booked Hours/mo 557

Monthly OPEX

Item Monthly Detail
Rent €5,926 1280m² × €4.63/m²
Insurance €325
Electricity €557
Heating €274
Water €145
Maintenance €338
Cleaning €338
Marketing / Software / Misc €394
Staff €4,000 4 × €1000
Total Monthly OPEX €12,297

Monthly Summary

Gross Revenue €16,408
Booking Fees −€1,225
Net Revenue €15,183
Operating Costs −€12,297
EBITDA €2,886
Debt Service €0
Net Cash Flow €2,886

Revenue depends on three factors: court rental pricing, occupancy rates, and ancillary income (coaching, retail, food & beverage). Utilisation swings sharply by time of day and season — evenings and weekends tend to run at or near capacity, while weekday mornings and afternoons have idle courts. Per-venue median hourly rates, booked occupancy over time, and the spread across facilities are part of Padelnomics Research — the inputs above are calibrated from that data.

Financial Returns

Aalst, BE Returns & Financing

Return Metrics

IRR (5yr) 13.5%
MOIC 1.78x
Payback N/A
Cash-on-Cash 18.2%
Yield on Cost 18.9%
EBITDA Margin 19%

Exit Analysis

Exit Value (6.0x EBITDA) €224,949
Remaining Loan €0
Net Exit €224,949

Financing

Loan Amount €0
Rate / Term 5.0% / 10yr
Monthly Payment €0

The return metrics above show how quickly your investment pays back and what long-term return you can expect. IRR (Internal Rate of Return) is the key metric — it accounts for the time value of money and lets you compare against alternative investments like real estate or equities. A payback period under 5 years is considered solid in the padel industry. These numbers use national figures for Belgium. Adjust the assumptions in the planner to model your specific scenario.

Adjust these numbers for your own plan → Model it in the Planner

Market Context

With 11.6 courts per 100K residents, Aalst has a relatively high padel density. This indicates a proven market with demonstrated demand — but also more competition for new entrants. Differentiation through location, facility quality, or pricing strategy becomes the key success factor.

Padel is growing rapidly across Europe — many markets are seeing venue counts double within a few years. The sport's relatively low barriers to entry (less space than tennis, faster learning curve for players) continue to drive expansion.

Aalst Market Overview

Metric Value
Courts 9
Courts per 100K residents 11.6
Venues 2
Venues per 100K residents 2.6
padelnomics Score 72.0/100
Data Confidence 100%

FAQ

Is Aalst a good location for a padel center?

Aalst scores 72.0/100 on the padelnomics Score, which evaluates investment potential based on supply gaps, catchment reach, market maturity, and sports culture. A score above 65 signals strong investment potential: meaningful catchment area, supply gaps, and a sports-oriented population. Use the Padelnomics planner to model your specific assumptions.

What is the return on investment for a padel center in Aalst?

ROI depends on build cost, court count, pricing, and occupancy assumptions. The defaults in the model above are calibrated from current market and booking data for Aalst; the specific city- and venue-level inputs (median rates, per-venue occupancy, price trends) are part of Padelnomics Research. Adjust the inputs in the planner to see how your scenario compares.

How much does it cost to build a padel center in Aalst?

Total investment depends on venue type (indoor vs outdoor), land costs, and local construction standards in Belgium. Typical benchmarks: an indoor court costs around €25,000 for court equipment plus building and fit-out; outdoor courts are significantly cheaper. Use the financial planner for a detailed Aalst cost breakdown.

How many padel courts are there in Aalst?

Aalst has 9 padel courts across 2 venues. With a population of 78K, that translates to 11.6 courts per 100,000 residents.

What are typical padel court rental prices in Aalst?

Padel prices in Aalst vary between peak and off-peak hours, indoor vs outdoor facilities, and facility quality. City- and venue-level medians, P25–P75 spreads, and occupancy rates are part of Padelnomics Research — the inputs in the financial model above are calibrated from that data.

How does Aalst compare to other Belgium cities?

Aalst's padelnomics Score of 72.0/100 reflects its investment potential among tracked Belgium cities. See the Belgium market overview for a full comparison across cities.

Ready to run the numbers for Aalst? → Build your business plan

Two questions worth settling first: how many courts fit on your plot? · will the site get permitted?


More Belgium padel markets: Belgium overview