GAME ON
First-of-its-kind padel sport complex smashes into San Antonio
- Slice Padel is San Antonio's first padel entertainment complex.Rendering courtesy of Slice Padel.
- Players can reserve courts online.Rendering courtesy of Slice Padel.
- A stage will host live music and charitable events.Rendering courtesy of Slice Padel.
- Food will be provided by onsite trucks and neighboring restaurants.Rendering courtesy of Slice Padel.
- The complex will include a full-service bar.Rendering courtesy of Slice Padel.
- Lush landscaping completes the picture.Rendering courtesy of Slice Padel.
A new entertainment complex dedicated to an increasingly popular racket sport hopes to score big in the Sonterra community. Slice Padel, San Antonio’s first full entertainment complex dedicated to the game, aims to open at 920 Loop 1604 W. in summer 2025.
Although padel is enjoying a global surge, it is less known in the United States, where pickleball has become trendy. The Mexico-born sport resembles doubles tennis but uses a slightly smaller court and stringless rackets. The gameplay also allows bouncing balls off the surrounding walls, similar to squash.
“Padel is the fastest growing racket sport in the world,” explains Juan Carlos “J.C.” Merlo, who owns Slice with his brother Armando Merlo. “It’s huge worldwide, exploding in Europe, Mexico, and Latin America.”
While San Antonio has a few facilities devoted to the game, Slice will be the first club to encourage lingering after a match. The amenities will include a full-service bar with lockers for rare bottles and a stage for hosting live music and charitable events.
Merlo is also looking to recruit two to three food trucks for a residency, but guests won’t be limited to what’s onsite. Slice is in talks with neighboring restaurants, many within walking distance, to offer expanded menu choices. The business’ employees will deliver orders to players, like a short-distance version of DoorDash.
While bringing the vision to life, the Merlo brothers have not had time to update the website. An earlier plan to offer club memberships, still advertised on the page, has been scrapped in favor of pay-to-play court reservations.
While the concept will still be open to all ages, Merlo sees Slice as a place where local adults can blow off steam. The brothers have not settled on exact operating hours but plan to open late on weekends for slightly more rowdy fun and date nights.
