The SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association) Awards 2025 brought together the best in the industry, celebrating excellence and innovation in sports facility construction. While we didn’t take home the award this time, being shortlisted for the Small Sports or Play Project of the Year (under £350k) was an achievement we are incredibly proud of.
Our nominated project, Club de Padel, is a stunning four-court padel facility in Deansgate, right in the heart of Manchester’s iconic skyline. It was an honour to see our work recognized among some of the UK’s most outstanding sports projects.
A night among industry leaders
Attending the awards ceremony was an invaluable experience. It was inspiring to be surrounded by top professionals in the industry, exchanging insights and celebrating the exceptional projects shaping the future of sports construction in the UK. Events like these reinforce our commitment to delivering world-class padel courts that stand out for their quality, durability, and innovation.

Showcasing our work
One of the highlights of the event was seeing SAPCA’s feature video on Club de Padel, showcasing the unique aspects of this project. The location alone makes it special—situated in the heart of Manchester’s skyscrapers, it provides an incredible backdrop for an exciting new padel experience. In the video, our Company Director at Portico Sport UK, Paul Mcilwraith, discusses the construction of this project, sharing interesting insights and behind-the-scenes details. Be sure to listen for his fascinating thoughts!
Although we didn’t win this time, being a finalist motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence in padel court construction. With exciting new projects on the horizon, we’re confident we’ll be back next year, competing again with even bigger achievements to showcase.
A huge thank you to our dedicated team at Portico Sport UK and to everyone who supports us on this journey. We remain committed to building premium padel courts that help clubs and facilities grow the sport across the UK and beyond.
Here’s to the future padel, and to raising the bar even higher!