Can you save on a padel court with an existing tennis court?

Many tennis clubs and sports park owners ask the same question: can I save on a padel court by using what is already there? The short answer is: yes. But how much you save depends heavily on the condition of the existing subsurface and structure. In some cases the saving runs to tens of thousands of euros. In other cases, a new build is cheaper than you would expect. This article helps you weigh up that decision properly.

The cost of a padel court is the first topic of conversation for many boards and operators. Understandable, because it is a serious investment. But the question “what does it cost?” can only be answered properly once you know what is already there and what you can do with it. Below we walk step by step through the most important questions in a conversion project.

Can an existing tennis court be converted into a padel court?

Yes, in many cases an existing tennis court can be converted into one or more padel courts. A standard tennis court of 36 x 18 metres has room for two padel courts of 20 x 10 metres each, with sufficient run-off space on the sides. Feasibility depends on the condition of the foundation, the dimensions of the site and the local permit situation.

A tennis court usually already has a paved surface and an existing foundation. That is the starting point for a conversion project. The cage structure of a padel court is anchored differently from the nets and posts of a tennis court, so the superstructure is removed entirely. What remains is the floor, and that is exactly where the potential saving lies.

It is important to realise, however, that a padel court is structurally very different from a tennis court. The steel structure of a padel court, including glass walls, catches considerably more wind load than a tennis net. That places different demands on the foundation. Not every existing tennis court floor is suitable to absorb that load without modifications.

Which parts of a tennis court can be reused for padel?

Of an existing tennis court, it is mainly the foundation and the level surface that are potentially reusable. The superstructure, including nets, posts and any fencing, is almost always removed in a conversion. Whether the floor is usable depends on the type of foundation, its flatness and the condition of the material.

Specifically, the following parts are sometimes reusable:

• The concrete or asphalt base, provided it is level, stable and not too badly damaged by frost or cracks.
• Drainage, if it works well and meets the requirements of a padel court.
• Groundwork and levelling, if the site is already at the right height and slope.

What is almost never reusable:

• The top layer of the floor, such as hardcourt or carpet. Padel requires padel-specific artificial turf with the right technical properties, approved by Kiwa ISA Sport.
• The fencing or nets of the tennis court.
• The lighting installation, unless it happens to be suitable for padel already in terms of light level and positioning.

It is wise to have the existing floor assessed before you make budget plans. A floor that looks good can still have structural problems that only become visible once the heavier padel structure is on top of it.

How much can you save by reusing an existing foundation?

For outdoor padel courts, reusing an existing foundation can save around €20,000 to €40,000 per court. That is the amount that normally goes to foundation costs in a new-build project. Whether that saving can be fully realised depends on the quality and suitability of the existing subsurface.

Foundation costs are by far the biggest variable in the total project budget for outdoor padel courts. A completely new outdoor project, including foundation, starts at around €50,000 per court on average. The superstructure, excluding foundation, starts at around €30,000. If the existing foundation is fully reusable, you can therefore skip a considerable part of those costs.

In practice there are three scenarios:

1. Full reuse: the existing floor is level, stable and structurally suitable. You save the full foundation costs.
2. Partial reuse: the floor needs local repairs or a new top layer. You save part of the costs, but not all.
3. No reuse possible: the floor is too old, too damaged or structurally unsuitable. You build a new foundation, and the conversion effectively becomes a new-build project.

Foundation types used for padel courts include drainage concrete (a water-permeable concrete layer that drains rainwater directly), Supersub (a foundation solution based on foam concrete with shock-absorbing properties) and ZOAB asphalt (a porous type of asphalt). Which type best suits your situation depends on the ground conditions, the use and the budget.

When is converting cheaper than building new?

Converting is cheaper than building new when the existing foundation is structurally suitable for a padel court and the location already meets the spatial requirements. If those two conditions are met, you save on groundwork, foundation costs and possibly also on the permit procedure. If the subsoil is poor or the location is not suitable, a new build at a new location is sometimes more cost-effective.

Converting is particularly interesting if:

• The existing tennis court already has the right dimensions and offers enough space for two padel courts.
• The foundation was recently laid or is in good condition.
• The site already has electricity and water connections.
• The location already has a sports zoning in the zoning plan, which can simplify the permit procedure.

A new build is sometimes wiser if the tennis court is outdated, the subsoil shows subsidence or the location is not optimal for padel. A new location also gives you more freedom in the layout, the orientation of the courts and the choice of the foundation type that best suits the ground.

The trade-off is therefore not only financial. A cheaper conversion that causes problems with the subsoil after five years ends up more expensive than a well-planned new build.

What are the risks of a padel conversion project?

The biggest risks in a conversion project are an unsuitable foundation that only causes problems after completion, underestimated costs for adjustments to the subsoil and a permit process that turns out more complex than expected. Anyone who maps out these risks properly in advance avoids surprises afterwards.

Risk 1: Hidden defects in the existing subsoil

A tennis court floor that looks good visually can have underlying problems. Think of insufficient bearing capacity, poor drainage or subsidence that is not yet visible at the surface. A padel court places heavier demands on the foundation than a tennis court, because the steel structure and glass walls transfer considerably more force to the subsoil. Without a proper inspection beforehand, you risk discovering only after completion that the floor was not suitable.

Risk 2: Structural requirements for the cage structure

A padel court is not a lightweight structure. The cage structure must be calculated for wind load, and that calculation depends on the location. On open terrain, such as an outdoor sports park, the wind load is greater than in a sheltered environment. If sound-absorbing panels are also installed, the wind exposure of the structure increases and the cage structure must be structurally reinforced. These are costs that are sometimes underestimated in a conversion.

Risk 3: Permits and noise

Padel produces more noise than tennis. The ball hitting glass and steel produces a sound power level of around 91 dB, roughly 10 dB more than in tennis. Even if there was already a permit for the tennis court, that does not automatically mean the conversion to padel can go ahead without a new permit. If the site is near homes, an acoustic study is almost always mandatory. Allow an average lead time of 8 to 12 weeks for a permit application.

Risk 4: Certification of materials

All foundation components used for a padel court must be approved by Kiwa ISA Sport in the Netherlands. This applies to artificial turf, foundation materials and related components. Anyone who works with cheaper or non-certified materials in a conversion project risks the court not being approved for official use and warranties lapsing.

How does the conversion process from tennis court to padel court work?

The process of converting a tennis court into a padel court broadly runs in five phases: inspection and advice, permit, demolition and preparation of the subsoil, construction of the padel court and completion. The total lead time, including production and permit, averages 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project.

Below is a practical overview of the steps:

1. Inspection and site check: the existing subsoil is assessed for suitability. Based on cone penetration tests, it is determined whether the foundation is reusable and which adjustments are needed.
2. Permit process: depending on the location and the municipal situation, an environmental permit is applied for. An acoustic study and structural calculations are often part of this.
3. Demolition and preparation: the existing superstructure of the tennis court is removed. If the floor is not reusable, a new foundation is laid. If the floor is suitable, it is cleaned and repaired where necessary.
4. Installation of the cage structure: the steel structure is erected and anchored. This usually takes two days per court.
5. Finishing: the artificial turf is laid, the LED lighting is installed and any sound-absorbing panels are fitted. After completion, an inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport follows if the court is used for official matches.

A conversion project calls for good preparation and a party that oversees the entire process, from the first inspection to final completion. Want to know what converting your tennis court into padel courts means for your location and budget in concrete terms? At I-Padel we are happy to think along with you, without obligation. Take a look at our approach to building padel courts or get in touch directly for an initial discussion.

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