Glow in the dark padel

For the first time in the North East, padel goes dark. From 14 to 31 October all three courts at Padelsphere run under UV: the lines glowing, the ball streaking through the dark, and the music turned right up. Thirteen nights, then the lights go back on.

What glow in the dark padel actually is

The short version: we turn the normal lights off and the UV on. The court lines, the ball and everything you are wearing that happens to be bright all light up. The rest of the building disappears into the dark.

It changes how the game feels more than you would expect. Depth perception shifts, the ball reads differently coming off the glass, and everyone plays with a bit more abandon because nobody can see your footwork. It is less a serious match and more a night out that happens to involve a racket.

When it runs

Every Wednesday to Sunday across the run, with one exception: there is no glow session on Thursday 15 October.

• Wednesday to Friday, 6pm to 11pm
• Saturday and Sunday, 6pm to 10pm

One thing worth knowing before you plan around it: during glow hours every court runs under UV, so standard courts are not bookable on event evenings. If you wanted a normal game that week, come earlier in the day.

What it costs and what you get

From £20 a person, and that is not just the court. Every booking includes:

• A glow top and face paint, so you light up as much as the court does
• An Afterglow Elixir, our own cocktail that genuinely glows in your hand. There is an alcohol-free version if you would rather
• Racket hire, so you do not need to own anything

You do not need to be any good

This is the part people get stuck on, so to be blunt about it: it does not matter. Padel is the easiest racket sport to pick up, and under UV with the music going, nobody is keeping score of your technique. Grab three mates and book a court. If you have genuinely never played, what is padel and the rules in ninety seconds are all the preparation you need.

The three one-off nights

Alongside the courts, there are three events you book individually.

Ladies Mix-In

Wednesdays 14 and 28 October, 7pm to 8:30pm. £20, or £18 for members. Twelve places. Come on your own, we pair you up. Book the 28 October session.

Friday Mix-In

Two Fridays, 6pm to 7:30pm, twelve places each. £25, or £22 for members. Book Friday 23 October or Friday 30 October. The 16 October session has sold out.

Halloween Glow Party

Saturday 31 October, 7pm to 9pm. The final night, and the biggest one. £30, or £27 for members, with eighteen playing places. Fancy dress is essential, and the best costume wins a free 90-minute off-peak court.

Not playing? Come anyway. The bar is open, you do not need a ticket, and the costume contest is open to everyone in the building.

Where we are

Padelsphere is at 6 Spencer Road, Blyth, NE24 5TG, with free parking on site. Roughly five minutes from Seaton Delaval, seven from Cramlington, ten from Ashington, fifteen from Whitley Bay and twenty from Newcastle. If you are coming from the city, we have written up where to play padel near Newcastle in more detail.

You can see the courts under UV on Instagram if you want a look before you book.