Riverside Sports Club — Padel Courts in Panmure, Auckland
Riverside Sports Club — Padel Courts in Panmure, Auckland
Riverside Sports Club in Panmure holds a special place in New Zealand padel history — it's where the sport all started. Opened in October/November 2023, this was the country's very first padel court, installed by the team at Kiwi Padel who helped introduce the sport to Aotearoa. Three years later, the sport has spread to 12 venues and 38 courts across the country, but Riverside is where it began. There's something cool about playing on New Zealand's original padel court, set in a leafy multi-sport reserve by the Tāmaki River.
At a Glance
| Address | 50 Dunkirk Road, Panmure, Mount Wellington War Memorial Reserve, Auckland |
| Courts | 1 outdoor padel court |
| Surface | Artificial turf |
| Pricing | Book via Matchi (rates not publicly listed) |
| Hours | Bookable via Matchi |
| Booking | Matchi — Riverside Sports Club |
| Website | riversidesports.co.nz |
| riversidesports@xtra.co.nz | |
| @riverside_sportsclub |
About Riverside Sports Club
Riverside Sports Club is a community multi-sport venue set in the Mount Wellington War Memorial Reserve, right beside the Tāmaki River. Long before padel arrived, the club offered tennis, futsal, pickleball, basketball, and a multi-use leisure court — all on artificial turf with floodlights for evening play. It's the kind of community sports club that keeps a suburb active.
When Kiwi Padel — the grassroots organisation behind the introduction of padel to New Zealand — partnered with Riverside to install a padel court in late 2023, the club became part of padel history. It was also the first place in New Zealand to offer Pop Tennis, making Riverside a genuine pioneer in bringing new racket sports to the country.
The vibe here is community-first. This isn't a slick private club — it's a local reserve facility that welcomes everyone. The outdoor court is simple and functional, set among the club's other sports areas. It's a great place to have a casual hit, and there's something genuinely special about playing on the court that started it all.
Pricing
Court hire is booked through Matchi. Rates are not publicly listed on the website — check the Matchi booking page for current pricing. Tennis courts are historically priced at around $6/hr via coin meters, giving you an idea of the affordability of this community venue.
Getting There
Riverside Sports Club is in Panmure, at the entrance to the Mount Wellington War Memorial Reserve. The address is 50 Dunkirk Road, Panmure — easy to find, with parking available at the reserve. The venue is close to the Tāmaki River walkway, so a stroll along the waterfront before or after your game is a nice bonus. Panmure is accessible from central Auckland via the Eastern Line (Panmure train station is nearby) and by car from the Southern Motorway.
Perfect For
- History buffs (it's NZ's first padel court — tick that box)
- Casual players wanting a community feel over a polished club experience
- Groups looking for affordable court hire in central-east Auckland
- Anyone who loves a multi-sport venue where you can mix padel with a hit of tennis or pickleball
Book a Court
Join the Community
Riverside Sports Club has an active WhatsApp community for padel players at the venue.
→ Join the Riverside Padel WhatsApp group
FAQ
Does Riverside Sports Club hire rackets?
Contact the club directly to check current racket hire availability — riversidesports@xtra.co.nz.
Is Riverside Sports Club good for beginners?
Yes — the open, pay-to-play format is low-key and accessible. There's no membership required, no intimidating club atmosphere. Just book a court and play.
How do I book at Riverside Sports Club?
Book through Matchi. You'll need to create a free Matchi account to complete the booking.
Heading to Riverside?
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Last updated: March 2026