Does the tennis court have to be completely demolished for conversion to padel?

No, a tennis court does not have to be completely demolished for conversion to a padel court. In many cases part of the existing substructure can be reused, which saves time and costs. Whether that is possible depends on the condition and the type of foundation that is already there. A thorough inspection of the site is always the first step.

This article answers the most frequently asked questions about converting a tennis court into a padel court. From foundation and costs to noise requirements and warranties: here you can read what to expect and what to look out for.

Which parts of a tennis court can be reused when converting to padel?

When converting a tennis court into a padel court, the foundation and the substructure are the parts that can possibly be reused. The superstructure, the playing surface, the nets and the fencing are almost always replaced. Whether the existing substructure is suitable depends on its condition, thickness and the type of foundation material.

A tennis court usually has a stable substructure of gravel, asphalt or concrete. For a padel court, specific requirements apply to the flatness and water permeability of the base. If the existing layer is sufficiently flat, has sufficient load-bearing capacity and shows no subsidence, it can serve as the basis for the new sports floor.

What is almost always replaced during the conversion:

• The playing surface (artificial turf with a sand bed replaces the existing tennis surface)
• The fencing (the cage structure of a padel court is a completely different system from tennis fencing)
• The lighting (LED lighting at padel level and position)
• The nets and other tennis-specific facilities

What can sometimes be reused:

• The existing concrete or asphalt base layer, provided it is in good condition
• Drainage infrastructure that is already present
• Surrounding paving or access paths

What determines whether the existing foundation is suitable for a padel court?

The suitability of an existing tennis court foundation for a padel court depends on four factors: the flatness of the surface, the load-bearing capacity, the water permeability and the condition of the material. A professional inspection with soil penetration testing maps this out before a decision is made about reuse or replacement.

A padel court places different demands on the base than a tennis court. The cage structure and glass walls cause point loads at specific places. If the existing foundation has not been calculated for this, subsidence or uneven settling may occur. That is not only a quality problem, but also a safety risk.

Flatness and ball bounce

A padel court requires an extremely flat base. A consistent ball bounce is a technical requirement set by the KNLTB for certified use. If the existing tennis court has unevenness, the base must be milled, topped up or replaced before the new sports floor is laid.

Water permeability for outdoor courts

For outdoor courts, water permeability is an important criterion. An asphalt foundation that is not water-permeable can cause puddles when it rains, making the court unplayable. In that case the existing layer is replaced by drainage concrete (water-permeable concrete that drains rainwater directly through the foundation) or Supersub (a foundation solution based on foam concrete with similar properties). In outdoor renovations, Supersub is often applied in a thickness of approximately 10 cm on top of the existing substructure, provided it has sufficient load-bearing capacity.

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

The conversion process from a tennis court to a padel court follows a fixed order: site inspection, any foundation adjustment, installation of the cage structure, installation of the glass, laying of the artificial turf and installation of the LED lighting. The total lead time of a project averages 10 to 12 weeks, including production and delivery.

The steps at a glance:

1. Site inspection and structural calculation: Every location is different. Wind load, soil conditions and the condition of the existing foundation determine the foundation advice and the structural starting points for the cage structure.
2. Demolition work: The existing playing surface, fencing and lighting are removed. The substructure is assessed for reuse.
3. Foundation work: Depending on the situation, the existing substructure is topped up, milled or completely replaced. For outdoor courts, drainage concrete, Supersub or ZOAB asphalt (a porous type of asphalt that lets water through) is chosen.
4. Installation of the cage structure: The steel structure is erected. This usually takes 2 days.
5. Installation of the glass: The glass walls are installed around the court.
6. Laying the artificial turf: The padel-specific artificial turf is laid, including sand bed and lines. This takes 1 to 2 days.
7. Installation of the LED lighting: The lighting is mounted at the correct height and position.
8. Delivery and inspection: After delivery, the court can be inspected by Kiwa ISA Sport, which is mandatory for official match use.

What does converting a tennis court to padel cost?

The costs of converting a tennis court into a padel court depend heavily on the condition of the existing foundation, the type of court (indoor or outdoor) and the site conditions. As a guideline, a complete outdoor padel court, including foundation, costs from around €50,000 per court. If the existing substructure can be reused, the costs fall considerably.

The foundation is the largest cost factor in outdoor conversions. Foundation costs average between €20,000 and €40,000, depending on soil conditions, accessibility and the amount of civil engineering work required. If the existing tennis court substructure is in good condition, this amount can be much lower.

Cost items in a conversion

• Demolition work (surface, fencing, lighting)
• Foundation adjustment or replacement
• Cage structure (steel structure and glass)
• Artificial turf with sand bed and line markings
• LED lighting
• Any sound-absorbing panels
• Permit costs and studies

For an indoor conversion, the costs are generally lower, because the foundation issue is less complex and weather influences play no role. As a guideline, an indoor padel court is possible from around €23,000 per court, including cage structure, LED lighting, artificial turf and installation. But here too: the exact price always depends on the specific situation.

What is the difference between an indoor and an outdoor padel court in a conversion?

The biggest difference between an indoor and an outdoor conversion lies in the structural requirements and the foundation complexity. An outdoor court needs a heavier cage structure because of wind load and weather influences, and the foundation must be water-permeable. An indoor court is structurally simpler, cheaper and quicker to realise.

With an outdoor conversion, wind load plays a major role. The cage structure must be calculated for the specific wind zone of the location. Is the court on open ground or close to the coast? Then the requirements are heavier than at a sheltered, inner-city location. The steel is hot-dip galvanised as standard to protect against the weather.

With an indoor conversion, the conditions are more stable. The clear height of the hall is a point of attention, though: the minimum recommended clear height for a padel hall is 6 metres. If that height is not available, this has to be taken into account in the design. An indoor court also does not need a water-permeable foundation, which makes the foundation choice simpler.

The main differences in summary:

• Structure: Outdoor requires a heavier steel structure due to wind load
• Foundation: Outdoor requires a water-permeable foundation, indoor does not
• Costs: Outdoor is structurally more expensive due to foundation and structural requirements
• Permits: Outdoor almost always requires an environmental permit, indoor depends on the situation
• Lead time: Comparable, but outdoor can take longer because of permit procedures

How are noise requirements handled when converting to padel?

When converting a tennis court into a padel court, noise requirements must be taken into account in the design phase. Padel produces more noise than tennis, mainly because of the contact of the ball with glass and steel. For locations near homes, an acoustic study is almost always mandatory as part of the permit application.

The average sound power level of a padel court is around 91 dB, which is approximately 10 dB more than for tennis. This difference is audible and measurable, and municipalities are setting increasingly strict requirements on the noise level in the surrounding area. It is therefore wise to plan noise measures at the time of the conversion, not afterwards.

Sound-absorbing panels

The most commonly used solution is to install sound-absorbing panels on the outside of the mesh of the cage structure. These panels absorb the sound instead of reflecting it back. They have been independently tested in an acoustic laboratory and achieve sound absorption class A, with an absorption value of 0.80 and a sound insulation index of 19 dB. In practice, this delivers a clearly audible noise reduction at distances of 40 to 100 metres.

An important technical point: panels reduce the wind permeability of the cage structure. That means the structure must be structurally reinforced. This is not an optional modification, but a technical necessity for safety and lifespan. The reinforcement consists of heavier posts, additional columns or modified connections.

Noise barriers

At locations where panels alone are not sufficient, a noise barrier can be installed. This is a freestanding structure next to or around the court, up to 6 to 8 metres high. A noise barrier requires a separate structural calculation and almost always an environmental permit. In some situations a combination of panels and a noise barrier is the most effective.

What warranties apply to a newly built padel court after conversion?

After converting a tennis court into a padel court, warranties apply per component. The steel structure has a warranty period of 15 years. For the artificial turf, the LED lighting and the glass, their own warranty conditions apply, which may differ per product and supplier. The 15-year warranty applies specifically to the cage structure, in accordance with the general terms and conditions.

A warranty period of 15 years on the steel structure is exceptionally long in the market. It shows confidence in our own production quality and gives clients certainty on an investment that has to last for decades. Always communicate this precisely: the warranty applies to the structure, not to the coating, the artificial turf or the lighting.

Inspection after delivery

For official match use, an inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory. Kiwa ISA Sport is the recognised body that assesses padel courts in the Netherlands against sports-technical and material-specific requirements. All foundation components must be inspected and certified. Working with certified materials is not only a quality requirement, but also protects clients against unintended non-conformity. A court that does not meet the Kiwa ISA Sport requirements may not be used for official KNLTB matches.

During the conversion, also consider the transitional arrangement of NOC*NSF and the KNLTB: for renovations and new builds from 2025, new measurement methods and reporting requirements apply to the artificial turf sports floor. It is wise to include this in the planning phase, so that your court meets the current standards straight away and certification is not delayed.

Does the tennis court have to be completely demolished for conversion to padel?

No, a tennis court does not have to be completely demolished. Whether the existing substructure can be reused depends on the site inspection. In many cases, reusing the substructure saves considerably on the total project costs. Good preparation and a professional assessment of the situation determine the outcome.

Opting for a complete package in which one party is responsible for the entire process, from inspection to delivery, keeps the process clear and prevents discussions about responsibilities if something is not right. We guide the entire process: from the first site assessment to the inspection after delivery.

Would you like to know what converting your tennis court into a padel court costs and what can possibly be reused? Take a look at our approach to building padel courts or get in touch for an initial exploration. We are happy to think along with you, without obligation.

Frequently asked questions