NO PARTNER?
NO GAME?
NOT NECESSARILY.

You've arrived in Bali, found a great-looking padel club and you're ready for a game.

There's just one problem.

You can't find an open match on Playtomic. Or perhaps you've spotted a tournament you'd love to enter, but you're travelling solo and don't have a partner.

Maybe you've booked a court with a couple of friends and you're still one player short.

Sound familiar?

The good news is that finding a game in Bali doesn't always have to start and finish with a booking app.

Don't stop at Playtomic

While many clubs across Bali use Playtomic, the Jungle Padel app or their own booking systems, there's another option that visitors might not know about.

WhatsApp.

Many clubs have their own WhatsApp community groups where players organise games, look for partners and share information about upcoming social matches and tournaments.

These groups can be particularly useful if you're travelling alone, new to Bali or simply struggling to find a match at a time that suits you.

And if you can't find a community group, there's nothing wrong with messaging the club directly. In our experience, club teams are often more than happy to help connect players and do their best to get a game happening.

One, two or even three players short?

Don't assume that because you can't find four players, you can't play.

Whether you're one player short or travelling solo and looking for three others, it's worth contacting the club.

They might have players looking for a game, an existing group needing someone to join or a WhatsApp community where they can put the word out.

And sometimes, the solution is even better.

On several occasions, we've had clubs organise their own staff to join us on court, covering their share of the booking so the game can go ahead.

What could have been a cancelled game has turned into one of the best experiences of the trip.

Not only do you get to play padel, but you're often sharing the court with local staff who are seriously good players. They're also a wealth of knowledge about the club, the local padel community and Bali itself.

Some of our most enjoyable games have come about this way.

Of course, staff availability and booking arrangements vary between clubs, but it's always worth asking.

Looking for a tournament partner? Ask the club.

This isn't just about casual games.

Whether you're entering one of the daily club tournaments or a major event, clubs can often help you find a suitable partner.

And they're not necessarily just looking for anyone available. They'll often ask about your playing level and preferred side of the court, then try to find someone who complements your game.

We experienced this firsthand at the recent Uluwatu Open.

I wanted to enter but didn't have a partner, so I contacted Island Sports Uluwatu.

Rather than leaving me to find someone myself, the club sent a message to its WhatsApp community outlining my playing level and preferred playing side.

The result? They found me a partner who was a great match.

It was a simple gesture, but one that made a huge difference to my experience of the tournament.

It's also a great example of the community surrounding padel in Bali. You don't necessarily need to arrive with a playing partner or an established group of friends to get involved.

Sometimes all it takes is asking.

It's in everyone's interest to get you on court

At the end of the day, clubs want people playing padel.

A court sitting empty isn't helping anyone, and neither is a tournament missing players who would love to participate.

Helping visitors find games means more people on court, stronger club communities and a better experience for everyone.

And from a player's perspective, it's a fantastic way to meet people, discover new clubs and become part of the local padel scene, even if you're only visiting Bali for a few days.

That doesn't mean every club can guarantee a game or find you the perfect tournament partner, but we've found that most will genuinely do their best to help.

How BPS can help

This is one of the reasons we've made direct club contact information an important part of Bali Padel Scene.

On our reviewed club pages, we've included a WhatsApp contact wherever available, making it easier to reach the club directly rather than relying entirely on a booking platform.

So next time you're struggling to find an open match, missing a player or looking for a tournament partner, don't give up because the app isn't showing anything.

Find the club on BPS, send them a WhatsApp message and explain what you're looking for.

You might find yourself in a community group, paired with a new tournament partner or sharing a court with some of the best local players around.

Sometimes the best games in Bali are the ones you didn't know were going to happen.