Can a tennis club also build indoor padel courts?

Yes, a tennis club can certainly build indoor padel courts, and more and more clubs are doing so. Padel attracts new members, increases court occupancy and gives a club a fresh boost. Whether you have an existing sports hall, a covered tennis hall or are planning a new build: an indoor padel court is very feasible in many situations. Below we answer the most frequently asked questions, so that as a board you go to the table well prepared.

Can a tennis club have an indoor padel court built?

Yes, it can. A tennis club can have an indoor padel court built in an existing covered hall, a tennis hall or a newly built space. As long as the hall meets the minimum dimensions and clear height, an indoor padel court is technically feasible. Installing one in an existing hall does not always require a separate building permit, but that depends on the situation.

Building an indoor padel court differs from an outdoor court in a few respects. Indoors you have no wind load or weather influences to deal with, which makes the structural requirements somewhat simpler. At the same time, you have to take into account the space available to you, the height of the hall and any acoustic properties of the building. Good preparation starts with mapping those location-specific conditions.

What are the advantages of indoor padel courts for a tennis club?

The advantages of indoor padel courts for a tennis club are concrete: playing all year round regardless of the weather, higher court occupancy, more income and an attractive offering for new members. Padel appeals to a younger and broader audience than tennis, which helps counter membership decline.

Besides the membership benefit, there are also financial arguments. Indoor courts can be rented out all year round, including in the winter months when outdoor courts stand idle. That increases the return on investment considerably. Many clubs combine padel with their existing tennis offering, so that members can switch between the two sports.

In addition, the threshold for new players is lower than in tennis. Padel is quick to learn, social in nature and popular with people who have never held a racket before. For a club that wants to grow, that is a strong argument for seriously considering indoor padel courts.

How much does an indoor padel court cost for a tennis club?

As an indication, an indoor padel court is possible turnkey from around €23,000 per court. This includes the cage structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation. The final price depends on the number of courts, the specification, the accessibility of the location and any extra options.

With several courts, economies of scale arise: the fixed costs for transport and installation are spread over more courts, which lowers the price per court. That is a relevant consideration for tennis clubs that want to build two or more courts.

Please note: the price of €23,000 applies to a standard indoor court. If you opt for a panoramic version with an open back wall and a different visual look, the costs are slightly higher because of the heavier structural requirements. Always request a custom quotation based on your specific location and wishes, because a fixed price without context is rarely reliable.

What space requirements must a hall meet for an indoor padel court?

A padel court has a playing size of 20 by 10 metres. The minimum installation space is 21 by 11 metres. For a comfortable playing experience, including run-off zones, a space of 21 by 14 metres is recommended. The minimum clear height is 6 metres, with greater height being better for playing quality.

The run-off zones behind and beside the court are not only pleasant for players, but also important for safety. In a hall with several courts side by side, you also have to take the space between the courts into account. A good layout of the hall determines how many courts realistically fit, without compromising on comfort or safety.

Do you have a hall with a ceiling lower than 6 metres? Then a padel court is not technically feasible. With a height just above 6 metres, the court is playable, but for professional use or matches, more space above the playing area is strongly recommended. Always have the hall measured before you make a final decision.

What about noise from indoor padel courts in a sports hall?

Noise is a point of attention for indoor padel courts, but less problematic than for outdoor courts. Indoors you have no neighbours bothered by the game, but the hall itself can be acoustically challenging. Balls hitting glass and steel produce noise that reflects well in an empty hall.

The cage structure acts as a resonance box. In a sports hall with hard walls and a high ceiling, that can lead to a high noise level within the space itself. This is unpleasant not only for players, but also for people in adjoining spaces, such as changing rooms or a clubhouse.

Sound-absorbing panels can also be used for indoor courts to reduce reverberation and improve playing comfort. Important to know: when panels reduce the wind permeability of the cage structure, the structure must be structurally reinforced. For indoor courts, wind load does not play a role, but the structural integration of panels always requires a calculation per situation. For a hall near residential areas or with thin partition walls, acoustic advice is wise.

What is the difference between a turnkey package and a supply of materials only?

With a turnkey package, the builder takes care of the complete process: from advice and foundation to structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation. The tennis club does not have to arrange anything itself. With a supply of materials only, you receive all the components, but you carry out the installation yourself or have it done by a party of your own.

For most tennis clubs in the Netherlands, a turnkey package is the most practical choice. You have one point of contact, one responsible party and one warranty. If something goes wrong, there is no discussion about who is responsible. That gives peace of mind, especially with an investment of this size.

A supply of materials only is mainly relevant for parties that have their own installation capacity, such as construction companies or larger sports organisations abroad. For a tennis club without its own technical staff, this is rarely the best option. Coordination and risk then lie with the club itself, which makes execution considerably more complex.

How long does it take to build an indoor padel court?

Installing an indoor padel court takes 3 to 4 days on average: erecting the cage structure takes 2 days, and laying the artificial turf 1 to 2 days. The total lead time of a project, including production and delivery, averages 10 to 12 weeks.

Those 10 to 12 weeks cover production planning, transport and the actual installation on site. With in-house production of the steel structure, there is no dependence on foreign suppliers, which makes the planning more stable. You know sooner when the court will be ready and are less likely to face delays caused by import problems.

For tennis clubs that want to open a new padel court at the start of a new season, it is wise to start well in advance. Also add any permit procedure to the build time: that takes 8 to 12 weeks on average, depending on the municipality. If you start too late, you risk the court not being ready in time for the planned opening.

What warranty does a tennis club get on a new padel court?

A 15-year warranty applies to the steel structure of a padel court. This is an exceptionally long warranty period in the market and gives tennis clubs certainty on an investment that has to last for decades. The warranty applies specifically to the steel structure, in accordance with the general terms and conditions.

Other components, such as the artificial turf, the LED lighting and the glass, have their own warranty terms. It is important to understand this properly before you sign a contract: a 15-year warranty does not automatically apply to every component of the court. Always ask for clarity on exactly what is covered and for how long.

Besides the warranty on the structure, the certification of the court is also relevant for tennis clubs. All foundation components must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport in the Netherlands. This is a requirement for the use of the sports product in matches under the auspices of the KNLTB. Working with certified materials protects you as a club against non-conformity, something that inexperienced buyers sometimes only run into afterwards.

Want to know what an indoor padel court concretely costs for your club and what is needed for it? At I-Padel we are happy to think along with you, without obligation. Take a look at our offering for building padel courts or get in touch directly for a tailored initial discussion.

Frequently asked questions