Fabian Gosselin found that his favorite sport from Mexico City, padel, was difficult to find in Chicago, where he was doing his MBA at Booth. Even though millions of people play padel in more than 130 countries, it is still a little-known game in the US.
Fulton Market’s Union Padel Club is getting ready to open.
Gosselin set out to rectify that after graduating. This summer, his project, Union Padel Club, will open at 219 North Paulina Street, adding five courts to the center of Fulton Market in Chicago. With lounges, food and drink options, office spaces, and playing courts, the complex promises to combine sport and lifestyle.
Quick fundraising and strategic cooperation
Gosselin teamed up with Peter Goldman, who manages important sports facilities in Chicago and Milwaukee, to realize the idea. $1.5 million was contributed by Lakeshore Sport & Fitness investors, with personal networks providing the remaining cash. The idea swiftly acquired traction and completed its fundraising in a matter of months, with a total of about 15 investors.
Anticipating the Midwest’s padel migration
Goldman and Gosselin aren’t going to stop at one place. They plan to open more padel clubs in the upcoming years and expect significant growth and widespread acceptance. Gosselin notes how his classroom knowledge immediately supports his real-world enterprise and attributes his success to his business background.
A brand-new location for sports-related recreation and connection
For Gosselin, the club is about sharing what he loves, not simply about granting access. According to him, padel is the ideal fusion of enjoyment and fitness, providing a low-impact activity that fosters social interaction. With the upcoming Union Padel Club, Chicago will soon have a bustling new space for sports, community, and movement.