The Padel Court in Detail

Court construction, dimensions and specifications – all the binding measurements, materials and costs for a regulation-compliant padel court at a glance.

Many tennis clubs and sports associations are considering adding a padel court. There are now providers throughout Europe offering complete packages, from planning and installation through to maintenance.

Before or during the selection of a suitable court builder, you should make sure that the planned court meets current international requirements. This is essential for courts to be approved for potential league matches and for “official” tournaments to be held on the court or courts. The World Padel Federation (FIP), based in Qatar, sets the parameters for an “officially approved court.” It administers and monitors the internationally binding rules governing padel, including the definition of the court.

Padel Court: Binding Dimensions and Regulations

The playing area measures 10 by 20 meters (interior dimensions), with a tolerance of 0.5 percent. A net divides this rectangle into two halves. On both sides, parallel to the net and 6.95 meters away, are the service lines. The distance between the net and the service lines is divided in half by a perpendicular line called the center service line. The center service line must extend 20 centimeters beyond the service line.

All lines must be five centimeters wide. They should preferably be white or black to provide better contrast with the court surface. The clear height above the court must be at least six meters; no objects or installations, such as floodlights, may intrude into this imaginary space.

The Net

The net must span the full width of the court, dividing it into two halves, and be 88 centimeters high at the center. At the net posts, which must be 1.05 meters high, the net may be no more than 92 centimeters high.

The Back Walls and Side Walls

The court must be fully enclosed. The end walls, measured from the inside, must be 10 meters long, and the inside length of the sides must be 20 meters. A combination of metal mesh and glass is permitted. In Europe, only shatterproof glass meeting standard EN 12150-1 may be used. Alternatively, regulations allow other opaque building materials such as stone, concrete or wood, provided their flat surfaces ensure the ball rebounds consistently. In Europe, however, mesh-and-glass constructions are standard.

• The metal fencing should be made of diamonds or squares, simply twisted or welded, but always with diagonal openings.
• The mesh openings must be no smaller than 5 centimeters and no larger than 7.08 centimeters in diameter.
• The recommended wire thickness is between 1.6 mm and 3 mm.
• The back walls consist of a combination of glass and mesh, as do the rear side boundaries of the court.

The Padel Court Surface

Artificial turf infilled with sand has become the standard surface in Europe. The turf must comply with the UNE 41958 IN standard for sports flooring, and the visible pile height of the individual “grass” fibers must be 12 to 13 millimeters. The infill is silica sand, used in considerable quantities: two to three tons is typical for the initial application, and sand must be replenished regularly.

Access to the Court on Both Sides

Access to the playing area can be provided on both sides or on just one side, and must be symmetrical about the center. There may be one entrance or two on each side, with or without a door. For a court without a door, a sturdy structure is installed on the ground in the access area to support the entrance frame.

Overview of All Dimensions and Standards

General Notes on Building a Padel Court

Companies offering padel court construction in Europe generally provide customers only with regulation-compliant court options. A padel court alone, excluding ground preparation, typically costs €25,000 to €35,000.

However, the “groundwork” budget item should be assessed early in the planning process. Like any tennis court, a padel court requires a professionally prepared foundation. Court builders usually offer this preliminary work as well, but it is difficult to estimate costs reliably. In many padel projects, site preparation has cost more than the court itself.

Used courts are now also available on the market, for example, courts dismantled in Sweden. Sweden is the only country in Europe where the padel boom appears to have passed and where large numbers of courts are standing empty or are eventually being “dismantled” for reinstallation elsewhere.

For outdoor courts in particular, maintenance requirements and weather-related wear and tear should also be factored in. Even a well-maintained playing surface needs to be replaced after four to six years in an outdoor installation.

Explore Funding or Financing Options

In an earlier blog post, we highlighted the various funding opportunities that make building a padel court particularly attractive for clubs. It is also well worth considering an accessible padel court for inclusive sports programs—special funding options are available for this.

Some padel court providers also act as investors or put customers in touch with investors. These financing models are based on the funder receiving a fixed share of the revenue from court rentals. Such financing arrangements may be worthwhile, particularly in prime locations or high-traffic areas. Naturally, they involve risks if utilization is relatively low.