Padel Court for a Club or a Council: What to Buy
Buying a padel court for a club or a local authority means settling several things before the price: the dimensions, the homologation rules of the national federation, the type of surface and the budget. Padel is growing fast and attracts players who were never tennis members, but that success only converts into bookings if the infrastructure is right, indoors as well as outdoors. This guide sets out what a club or a council needs to decide.
Dimensions and homologation
The official playing area of a standard padel court is 20 metres long by 10 metres wide. That figure is the same across the federations, so it is the one to plan the site around. The enclosure heights, the glass and mesh specification and the lighting requirements are set out in the rules of the federation that will homologate the court, so obtain those rules from your own national federation before you fix the layout, and use them rather than a supplier drawing.
Padel footprints are frequently added alongside existing facilities such as tennis courts or multi-sport pitches, which is often the only way to fit them where space is tight. Allow a safety margin around the enclosure so players and officials can circulate comfortably; a court that is technically compliant but hemmed in against a fence is unpleasant to use and awkward to maintain.
Surfaces
The surface is the decision that most affects both the feel of the game and the maintenance budget.
- Synthetic surfaces. Artificial turf, sand-dressed, is the standard playing surface for padel. It gives good playing comfort, is easy to maintain and handles high year-round usage on outdoor installations. Resin systems are also used where a different bounce is wanted.
- Porous or stabilised concrete. This is the right choice as the base slab under the court: it keeps maintenance costs down and maximises the life of the installation. Specify it as the sub-base carrying the synthetic playing surface rather than as the playing surface itself.
- Natural grass. Pleasant to look at, but it requires far more maintenance and is not recommended for padel.
Whatever the choice, the drainage and the levelling of the base determine how the court plays in year five. See our artificial turf and outdoor sports flooring ranges for the systems we supply.
Budget
The cost of a padel court varies considerably with the surface chosen and with the additional works required, such as changing rooms, lighting and other sports equipment on the same site.
As a general indication, the price of a padel court starts at around 20,000 EUR for a basic court with a synthetic surface, and rises quickly with the specification and the accessories built in, such as the glass panels or a stainless steel structure. Treat that as a starting point for the court itself and build the rest of the budget around it: groundworks and the slab, drainage, lighting, fencing, and the connection works are frequently as large a line as the court.
| Budget line | What drives it |
|---|---|
| Structure and glass | Steel grade and treatment, glass specification, panoramic or standard layout |
| Playing surface | Turf quality and pile, sand infill, resin alternatives |
| Base slab and drainage | Ground conditions, falls, existing surfacing |
| Lighting | Required light levels for the intended use and any evening play |
| Ancillary works | Changing rooms, access paths, fencing, seating |
Delivery and installation
When you buy a court, check the delivery and installation terms carefully. Specialist sports equipment companies generally provide a complete service covering transport, installation and sometimes post-installation maintenance. Confirm what is included before signing, because the difference between a supply-only price and an installed price is substantial.
Choose a supplier with the experience and the documentation to demonstrate compliance with the federation rules that apply where the court will be built. Ask for the technical file, not a reassurance.
Compliance and site planning
The court has to comply with all local and national regulations that apply where it is built. That includes:
- Compliance with the applicable safety requirements
- Access requirements for people with reduced mobility
Think as well about the facilities around the court, because they are what turns a court into a venue:
- A clubhouse
- An indoor sports hall nearby
- Tennis courts
- Badminton space
- Squash courts
- Football or rugby pitches
Together those cover the range of what a club membership or a local population will actually ask for. Our modular multi-sport courts are frequently specified alongside padel on the same site.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a padel court?
Twenty metres long by ten metres wide for the playing area. Allow additional space around the enclosure for circulation and maintenance.
Which surface should we choose?
Sand-dressed artificial turf over a properly drained concrete base is the standard answer for club and municipal courts. Natural grass is not recommended.
What does a padel court cost?
Indicatively from around 20,000 EUR for a basic court with a synthetic surface, before groundworks, lighting and ancillary works. The specification, particularly the glass and the structure, moves the figure quickly.
Do we need federation approval?
If you intend to host affiliated competition, yes. The homologation requirements are set by the national federation in your country, so obtain them at the design stage rather than after construction.
Indoor or outdoor?
Outdoor courts cost less and depend on the weather; covered courts protect the booking calendar and the surface. Many clubs build outdoors first and cover later, which is only possible if the base and the layout were planned for it.
Get a costed proposal
Investing in a padel court can deliver a strong return in bookings and in participation, provided the dimensions, the homologation rules, the surface and the whole-project budget are settled at the start. Remember to plan the booking calendar and the promotion of the sport within your organisation as well, because utilisation is what pays for the court.
Send us your site plan and the use you have in mind and we will come back with a layout and a costed proposal. Request a quote to start the project.
