Alma Padel has officially opened its doors in Glenview, Illinois, marking a major milestone as the first-ever padel club on Chicago’s North Shore. The brainchild of local resident and entrepreneur Abigail McCulloch, Alma Padel is not only elevating the racquet sports scene in the region—it’s also making history. McCulloch is the first and only solo female padel club founder in the United States.
The grand opening event is scheduled for Friday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m., celebrating a space that blends athleticism, luxury, and community in one uniquely curated environment. Located in the heart of the North Shore, Alma Padel was designed as a Mediterranean-inspired sports retreat, featuring four competition-level Spanish padel courts, a full-service bar, café and smoothie counter, locker rooms, saunas, golf simulator, pro shop, and lounges for both kids and adults.
Architecturally, the venue impresses with 30-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and industrial garage doors that open to the outdoors—allowing the energy of the game to blend with fresh air and natural light.
“The most exciting part of Alma Padel opening is how it brings people together, from tennis and pickleball players to total padel rookies, from all over the world. It’s a mix of cultures, backgrounds, and skill levels, and somehow it just clicks. You feel the energy the moment you walk in,” said McCulloch.
Padel, the world’s fastest-growing sport, is celebrated for its dynamic, glass-enclosed court layout and fast-paced, accessible gameplay. Alma Padel is already hosting weekly open play nights and themed social events like “Mahjong Mondays” and euchre nights. Off-court programming is equally dynamic, with jiu-jitsu classes, salsa dancing, yoga sessions, trivia and poker nights, and curated tastings of wine and tequila.
McCulloch’s journey to founding Alma Padel began while she was a student at the Wharton School of Business, where she discovered the sport at the Wharton Padel Club alongside international classmates. After gaining admission to a Wharton accelerator and drafting a business plan, she made the bold decision to leave early and return home to launch her vision.
She worked with a strong team of North Shore-based professionals to bring the project to life, including local architects, lawyers, real estate brokers, branding experts, and advisors—making Alma Padel a true community creation.
“A vision rooted in the community, Alma Padel is more than just a club, it is a place that reflects the values of the North Shore where the community can come together for both competition and connection,” added McCulloch. “My excitement truly has come from seeing others excited to play padel, try something new, and be a part of this growing community. I look forward to developing our programming and events that bring people together.”
Memberships are now open, offering perks like early court access, free guest passes, racquet rentals and upgrades, discounts on merchandise, and a complimentary week of clinics and court time.
With its strong sense of place and purpose, Alma Padel is poised to become a cornerstone for padel not just in Chicago, but nationwide.
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