People looking to try out padel will have the chance to test themselves against the very best when international stars take to the courts as part of the official launch of Marvel Padel in Northampton.

The new venue at Riverside Retail Park will open its doors from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, 29 August for a launch celebration designed to showcase a new approach to the sport – combining high-quality padel, specialist coaching and fun challenges with professional-level recovery, wellness and social facilities.

The centrepiece of the event will be a professional exhibition match from 1pm to 2.30pm, giving visitors the chance to watch top-level padel players go head-to-head.

But for those who fancy testing themselves against the professionals, the afternoon will also feature a ‘Beat the Pro’ challenge, running from 3pm, giving members of the public the opportunity to step onto court and see how they measure up against the players and coaches.

The launch will also include junior and adult coaching, King of the Court competitions, walk-in sessions, demonstrations, prizes and giveaways, alongside food, drinks and entertainment throughout the day.

Marvel Padel co-founder Samuel Phipps said the event would give people an opportunity to experience the club for themselves.

He said: “We wanted our launch to be something people could actually get involved in, rather than simply coming along to look around a new building.

“Having professional players here, an exhibition match and the chance to take them on in our ‘Beat the Pro’ sessions really shows what padel is about. It’s competitive, it’s social and, importantly, it’s accessible. You don’t have to be an experienced player to come along and have a go.”

While the courts are at the heart of Marvel Padel, the centre’s wider focus is on wellness, recovery and performance, with facilities including hybrid infrared saunas, cold plunge therapy, a hydro spa and a dedicated oxygen chamber. The recovery suite has been designed around the principle that recovery should be part of an active lifestyle, rather than something reserved for elite athletes.

The facilities have already attracted interest from the sporting world, with international boxers including Chantelle Cameron and Kieron Conway among those associated with Marvel Padel and its recovery offering.

Samuel said: “Padel is where our story starts, but it’s not where it ends.

“We’ve invested heavily in the recovery and wellness side because we believe people are becoming much more conscious of how they look after themselves. The same principles that matter to a professional boxer or elite athlete – recovery, mobility, rest and looking after your body – matter to anyone who exercises or simply wants to feel better.

“We’ve got people coming here who might never play a competitive game of padel but want to use the sauna, cold plunge or oxygen chamber. Equally, someone can play a match, grab a coffee, recover and then stay and socialise. That combination is what makes us different.”

The centre features four full-size indoor padel courts alongside a dedicated singles and junior court, with coaching, social matches, leagues and competitive events available for players of all abilities.

Away from the courts, Marvel also has a café and bar designed as a social space where visitors can meet, work, relax or stay after playing, with food, coffee and drinks available throughout the day, further adding to West Northants’ experience economy offering.

The launch event is open to the public, with walk-ins welcome.