Edinburgh is great for badminton. With a strong mix of public leisure centres, university sports complexes, and badminton communities, you'll find what you're looking for. Whether you want to play in a tournament or book badminton courts casually, Edinburgh has you covered. The city's facilities are managed by Edinburgh Leisure with courts at venues like Meadowbank, Craiglockhart, Drumbrae, and Ainslie Park. Students at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University's Oriam have affordable court hire. The Lothian Badminton League also runs across the season.
| Venue / Provider | Session Types & Features | Typical Fees / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Leisure | Venues: Meadowbank, Craiglockhart, Ainslie Park, Drumbrae, Kirkliston; 8-day booking window | £17.75 per court (PAYG); resident/student discounts available |
| University of Edinburgh (Pleasance) | 6 indoor courts; central Edinburgh location; BUCS club base | £9.00 per 60 min (from Aug 2025); open to students, staff, alumni & public |
| Oriam (Heriot-Watt University) | National Performance Centre; 14+ courts; 14-day booking window; equipment hire | £10.50–£17.50 per court; 20% discount for members |
| Social Sessions & Meetups | Budminton (Wed/Sat), ShuttleScots (inclusive), Racqueteers (Thu), u3a Craiglockhart (£3–£3.50) | £3–£7 per session; Budminton ~£5–£6; ShuttleScots small fee; u3a £3–£3.50 |
| Edinburgh Badminton Academy (EBA) | Junior & adult squads; beginner to advanced; private and group coaching | Junior coaching £7–£10; adult classes £10–£15; private coaching £25–£40 |
| Badminton Clubs (Lothian & Edinburgh) | Social, intermediate & competitive clubs; many in Lothian League (Meadowbank, Western, N. Morningside, Racqueteers, ShuttleScots) | £8–£12 per session; £200–£250 annual membership |
| Coaching & Classes | Group lessons for juniors/adults; advanced 1-to-1; trial sessions in September | Group coaching £10–£15; private £25–£40; September taster offers |
| Lothian League & Tournaments | Men’s, women’s & mixed doubles; season Sept–Apr; summer tournaments | Club subs vary; fixtures run Sept–Apr; open recruitment each season |
Where to Book Badminton Courts in Edinburgh
Most Edinburgh badminton courts are managed by Edinburgh Leisure, which includes a city-wide network of sports centres. You can book courts on a pay-as-you-play basis (from £17.75 per court). You can reserve courts up to 8 days in advance. The University of Edinburgh and Oriam at Heriot-Watt University have accessible public bookings with student discounts and peak/off-peak pricing, much like playing badminton elsewhere in the UK.
Court Providers
Edinburgh Leisure
- Venues: Meadowbank, Craiglockhart, Ainslie Park, Drumbrae, Kirkliston
- Pay-as-you-play courts from £17.75 per hour
- Book online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app (8-day window)
University of Edinburgh (Pleasance)
- 6 indoor courts in central Edinburgh
- From 1 Aug 2025: £9.00 per court / 60 min
- Open to students, staff, alumni, and the public
Oriam (Heriot-Watt University)
National Performance Centre with 14+ courts
£10.50–£17.50 per court; members get 20% discount
Bookings open 14 days in advance; equipment hire available
Peak evening and weekend slots fill quickly in Edinburgh Leisure venues. If you’re flexible, off-peak daytime sessions at Oriam or Pleasance are much more affordable.
University & Performance Hubs: Pleasance & Oriam
Edinburgh's universities have some of the best-equipped badminton courts in the city. Both the University of Edinburgh's Pleasance Sports Complex and Oriam at Heriot-Watt University are hubs for students and the wider community. Affordable bookings, structured training, and high-performance sports programmes make them highly recommended for students, just like the universities offering badminton courts in London and across the UK.
University Venues
University of Edinburgh (Pleasance)
- 6 indoor courts available for booking
- Affordable pricing: £9.00 per 60 mins (from Aug 2025)
- Home to the University’s badminton club competing in BUCS leagues
Oriam (Heriot-Watt University)
- Scotland’s National Performance Centre for Sport
- £10.50–£17.50 per court, with 20% discount for members
- Bookings available 14 days in advance; racket/shuttle hire onsite
Student and Performance Pathways
- Students access discounted rates across both universities
- Oriam hosts elite athlete training camps and development squads
- Both centres welcome beginners, social players, and competitive teams
Even if you’re not a student, both Pleasance and Oriam offer public access to courts. Pleasance is ideal for city-centre play, while Oriam appeals if you want high-quality facilities and longer booking windows.
Social Play in Edinburgh: Community Sessions and Meetups
If you want to play badminton in Edinburgh, look for social groups and community sessions to join. These are an excellent choice for beginners, returning players, or just anyone who doesn't feel like committing to a club membership. Most sessions last 2 hours, with prices ranging from £3 to £7, with racquets and shuttlecocks often provided. Even if you're out of town, you can find casual badminton matches in Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and across the country. You just need to know where to look.
Social Options
Budminton Edinburgh
- Weekly sessions at Meadowbank (Wed) & Leith Community Centre (Sat)
- Two-hour games, mixed abilities, welcoming to newcomers
- Around £5–£6 per session
ShuttleScots (LEAP Sports)
- Inclusive LGBT+ badminton group, all levels welcome
- Weekly sessions, usually evenings
- Small session fee; rackets and shuttles available
Racqueteers and u3a
- Racqueteers: friendly LGBTIQ+ group, Thursday 7–9pm
- u3a Craiglockhart: low-cost (£3–£3.50 per week), beginner/intermediate players
- Great community atmosphere
Social sessions are the most affordable way to play badminton in Edinburgh. u3a groups start from just £3, while Budminton and ShuttleScots provide excellent value with equipment included.
Edinburgh Badminton Academy and Coaching Options
Looking for something more structured? Edinburgh Badminton Academy (EBA) is the city's most recognised pathway. The academy offers junior and adult coaching, catering to beginners and advanced players alike, with training suitable for both competitive and non-competitive players. The academy also has private coaches and community classes.
Coaching Options
Junior Coaching
- EBA junior squads train weekly with qualified coaches
- Emphasis on footwork, technique, and fun games
- Sessions start from around £7–£10
Adult Coaching
- Beginner and intermediate lessons at local centres (e.g., Meadowbank, Ainslie Park)
- Small group classes priced £10–£15 per session
- Friendly atmosphere, equipment often provided
Advanced Training
- EBA performance squads for competitive juniors and adults
- Individual coaching: £25–£40 per hour, depending on coach level
- Focus on strategy, stamina, and match play
Many coaching programmes offer free or reduced-cost trial classes in September to attract new players. A good time to join if you're starting out.
Joining a Club in Lothian and Edinburgh
Edinburgh is home to plenty of badminton clubs for you to join. There's everything from small community groups to competitive teams in the Lothian Badminton League. Joining a club is a great way to get regular games, meet new players, and compete in competitions. Fees are typically about £8-£12 per session or £200-£250 annually for full memberships. Edinburgh isn't the only city with a reputable badminton league; you can find badminton leagues in Birmingham, Liverpool, and many other cities across the country.
Club Types
Social Clubs
- Example: Racqueteers (LGBTIQ+)
- Friendly, inclusive, beginner to intermediate levels
- Weekly sessions, pay-per-play basis
Intermediate Clubs
- Example: Meadowbank Badminton Club
- Club nights for social and match play
- Great for improving skills with regular partners
Competitive Clubs
- Example: North Morningside & Western Badminton Clubs
- Enter teams in the Lothian League
- Training sessions plus weekly league fixtures
Notable Edinburgh Clubs
We are a friendly Edinburgh badminton club with players of all standards. We welcome anyone interested in playing badminton regularly and socially.
Meadowbank Badminton Club
How to Book: Edinburgh Leisure, UoE, Oriam
Once you understand the system, booking a badminton court in Edinburgh is simple. Edinburgh Leisure uses its own booking app and website, while the University of Edinburgh and Oriam have their own portals. Price will depend on membership, and students and residents tend to pay less, much like for playing badminton in Liverpool.
Booking a Court in Edinburgh
Step 1
Choose your venue
Edinburgh Leisure centres (Meadowbank, Craiglockhart, Drumbrae), University of Edinburgh (Pleasance), or Oriam at Heriot-Watt.
Step 2
Create an account
Register with Edinburgh Leisure (Active Card), UoE Sport, or Oriam to unlock online booking.
Step 3
Select your slot
Most sessions are 60 minutes; off-peak times are cheaper.
Step 4
Confirm payment
Pay online via card or wallet.
Step 5
Arrive ready to play
Racquet hire usually £2–£3, shuttle hire sometimes included.
Venues Across the City
You can find badminton courts all over Edinburgh. With indoor facilities across the city, you'll find what you're looking for. Here are just a few examples.
Central and East
South Edinburgh
North Edinburgh
West Edinburgh
Central venues like Meadowbank are easiest to access by public transport, while suburban centres such as Ainslie Park and Drumbrae usually provide free parking for players.
Lothian League & Local Tournaments
If you want to take badminton to the next level, the Lothian Badminton League is a great idea. Local clubs have teams across divisions, and the fixtures go from September through to spring. There are men's, women's, and mixed doubles as well as junior competitions.
League Season
September – October
Season launch, fixtures published, first matches played
November – February
Weekly home and away matches across multiple divisions
March – April
Play-offs, promotions, and relegations decide league standings
May – June
Summer tournaments and recruitment events for new players
Clubs in the Lothian League
Joining a Lothian League club is the best way to experience competitive badminton in Edinburgh. Many teams welcome new members at the start of the season in September. Give it a try.
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