In this special episode of the Padel Smash Academy podcast, recorded during our Northeast road trip, Cesc and Julian sit down with Mehdi Rhazali, CEO and Co-Founder of VIVA Padel & Pickleball Club in Philadelphia—the city’s first exclusive outdoor padel club. Nestled in downtown Philly, VIVA is more than a sports facility—it’s a lifestyle destination blending padel, pickleball, wellness, and community in a high-energy, state-of-the-art space.

Mehdi shares the story behind building VIVA, the dedicated team that made it happen, and their impressive early success—already in the black and expanding fast. He also teases a new indoor Padel Club just 30 minutes away. The conversation dives into what it takes to grow a Padel club in the U.S., from community engagement to strategic planning.

This episode is a teaser for our full walkthrough and video review of VIVA, dropping next week during Padel Smash Academy’s Week of Padel Club Reviews—proudly sponsored by Fromuth Racquet Distribution.