Can I have several padel courts built at the same time?

Yes, it is certainly possible to have several padel courts built at the same time. In fact, building several courts in one project is often more efficient and cheaper per court than building individual courts in phases. The planning, groundwork and installation are combined, which saves time and money. Whether you want to create two courts in an existing hall or build a complete padel complex, the approach can be well organised in both cases.

In this article we answer the most frequently asked questions about building several padel courts at the same time. From costs and planning to foundation choices and tailor-made solutions per location.

Is it possible to have several padel courts built at the same time?

Building several padel courts at the same time is not only possible, but for many projects also the most logical choice. Groundwork, foundation and installation are carried out in one continuous process, so you have less duplicated work and the total lead time is shorter than if you have courts built at different times.

In practice we see this with three types of clients: entrepreneurs who fit out a hall with four to eight courts, tennis clubs that convert several tennis courts to padel courts at once, and municipalities or property parties that are creating a new sports complex. All of these situations lend themselves excellently to a combined approach.

The only thing you need to prepare well is the space planning. Every padel court has a playing area of 20 by 10 metres, but for installation and run-off zones you need at least 21 by 11 metres. If you want a comfortable playing experience with enough space around the court, 21 by 14 metres is recommended. With several courts side by side that adds up quickly, so a good site plan is the first step.

What are the advantages of building several padel courts at the same time?

Building several padel courts in one project yields economies of scale in production, transport and installation. The cost per court is lower than for a single-court project, the planning is more efficient and you only deal once with groundwork, permit procedures and on-site coordination.

Concretely, a multi-court project offers the following advantages:

• Lower cost per court through shared groundwork, combined transport and more efficient installation.
• Shorter total construction time because installation teams can place several courts in succession.
• One permit process for the entire project instead of several separate applications.
• Consistent quality because all courts come from the same production batch and are installed by the same team.
• Better use of space because the layout of the site can be optimised in one go.

For commercial operators it is also financially attractive: more courts means more rental capacity, and the return on investment rises when the fixed costs are spread over several courts. A hall with six courts has the same project costs for permits, groundwork and installation supervision as a hall with two courts, but delivers three times as much playing capacity.

How much does it cost to build several padel courts at the same time?

As an indication, a standard indoor padel court is possible turnkey from around €23,000 per court, including steel structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation. With several courts in one project there are economies of scale, so the price per court can fall further. The exact price always depends on the number of courts, the location and the chosen specification.

Indoor padel courts

For indoor projects with several courts, the variables are relatively manageable. The steel structure is produced per court, but transport, logistics and installation are combined. Factors that affect the price are the accessibility of the hall, the type of court (Pro, Panorama or Single), the quality of the artificial turf and any extra options such as run-off zones or non-standard lighting systems.

Outdoor padel courts

Outdoor projects are more complex and therefore more expensive. As an indicative price, a court excluding foundation starts from around €30,000 and a complete outdoor project including foundation from around €50,000. For outdoor courts the foundation is the biggest cost factor, with foundation costs averaging between €20,000 and €40,000, depending on soil conditions, accessibility and the civil works required. With several courts on one site, foundation costs can be partly combined, which works out cheaper overall.

A fixed price without context cannot be given. Always request a tailor-made quote based on your specific location, the desired number of courts and the chosen specification.

How does the construction process of a large padel project work?

A large padel project runs in fixed phases: advice and design, groundwork and foundation, production and delivery of the steel structure, installation of glass and artificial turf, installation of LED lighting and handover. The total lead time of a project averages 10 to 12 weeks, including production and installation.

The phases in detail:

1. Advice and site check. Based on the location, the desired number of courts and the soil conditions, a structural calculation is made. This determines the right foundation approach and the specifications of the steel structure.
2. Groundwork and foundation. The site is made ready for construction and the foundation is laid. The type of foundation depends on the location and the use.
3. Production of the steel structure. The cage structures are produced in our own factory on the basis of the structural calculation per location.
4. Installation of the cage structure. Installing the cage structure takes about two days per court. With several courts, an installation team works continuously.
5. Glass, artificial turf and lighting. After the structure, the glass is installed, the artificial turf is laid (including sand bed and lines) and the LED lighting is installed. Laying the artificial turf takes one to two days per court.
6. Handover and inspection. After handover, the court is inspected. For official matches, inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory.

With large projects, good communication between all parties involved is important. When one party handles the entire process, from groundwork to handover, you avoid ambiguity about responsibilities and the planning runs more smoothly.

What foundation options are there for a padel project?

There are three commonly used foundation types for padel courts: drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt. Which type is most suitable depends on the soil conditions, the location (indoor or outdoor), the budget and the intended use. For large projects with several courts, the foundation choice becomes even more important, because the cost and execution time can vary considerably.

Drainage concrete

Drainage concrete is a water-permeable type of concrete in which rainwater drains straight through the foundation into the subsoil. It is a widely used solution for outdoor padel courts. The foundation has high stability and load-bearing capacity, is resistant to frost and intensive use, and has an average lifespan of 25 to 40 years with correct maintenance. For padel courts, drainage concrete is often combined with a ring foundation with steel reinforcement to properly absorb the forces of the steel structure and wind load.

Supersub

Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete: a lightweight, self-levelling type of concrete that provides a flat and stable base. It is shock-absorbing, water-permeable (in the outdoor variant) and sound-damping. In many cases Supersub can be poured in a single day, which shortens the construction time. The thickness varies from around 10 cm for renovation to around 15 cm for new builds, always based on soil conditions and project requirements.

ZOAB asphalt

ZOAB asphalt (open-graded asphalt concrete) is a porous asphalt variant that lets water through. It is less common for padel courts than drainage concrete or Supersub, but can be a good option in certain situations, for example when the site already has an asphalt base that can be partly reused.

All foundation components in the Netherlands must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport. Working with certified materials is not only a quality requirement, but also protects you against unintended non-conformity, especially if you later want to organise matches or have the court officially inspected.

Can a padel court be adapted to specific location requirements?

Yes, a padel court can be structurally adapted to the specific requirements of a location. Think of non-standard wind load on open terrain or coastal locations, limited height or width in existing halls, noise requirements from the municipality, or the wish to integrate sound-absorbing panels. Every location calls for a tailor-made structural calculation.

A standard court that you can put down anywhere does not exist in practice. Soil conditions, surrounding buildings, wind zone and spatial restrictions together determine which structure fits a location. This certainly applies to large projects with several courts, where the location itself already introduces more variables.

Sound-absorbing panels

A concrete example of location-specific tailoring is the integration of sound-absorbing panels. These panels are attached to the outside of the cage structure and reduce the structure’s wind permeability. That has a structural consequence: the cage structure must be reinforced with heavier posts, additional columns or modified connections.

This is necessary for the safety and lifespan of the court. The panels can be applied on one side of the court, on several sides, or in combination with glass walls. They can also be fitted afterwards to existing courts.

Non-standard dimensions and indoor limitations

At indoor locations with limited clear height or width, the structure can be adapted to the available space. The minimum recommended clear height for a padel hall is 6 metres. The higher the hall, the better the playing quality. With a lower hall or a non-standard layout, the structure is calculated accordingly, so that the court remains safe and playable within the given space.

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

With a turnkey package, one party handles the entire process from design to handover: groundwork, foundation, steel structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation. With material supply without installation you receive the same material package, but you build it yourself. The difference lies in who carries out the installation and who bears final responsibility.

Turnkey: one party, one responsibility

A turnkey package is the most complete option. You have one contact person for the entire project and one party responsible if something is not right. There is no room for discussion about who is liable for a problem in the interface between groundwork, structure and installation. This is particularly valuable for large projects with several courts, where coordination between different disciplines can become complex.

Material supply: for those who build themselves

Material supply without installation is relevant for clients who have their own installation capacity, such as contractors or construction companies abroad. The material package contains the same components as the turnkey package: steel structure from our own production, glass, artificial turf and LED lighting. The client builds it themselves; the supplier delivers everything needed for that. This option is particularly common in the German market, where buyers generally have their own construction crews.

For most Dutch projects, the turnkey package is the most practical choice. You save time, reduce coordination risks and have the certainty that all components are aligned with one another, including the structural calculations per location and the warranty on the steel structure.

Do you want to know what building several padel courts means for your location in terms of planning, costs and execution? At I-Padel we are happy to think along with you, without obligation. Get in touch for an initial exploration or view our options on the page about building padel courts.

Frequently asked questions