What are the benefits of padel courts compared with tennis courts for a club?

Padel is growing at lightning speed in the Netherlands, and more and more tennis clubs are asking themselves the same question: what does a padel court actually bring us compared with our current tennis courts? The answer is more concrete than you might expect.

A padel court needs less space, attracts more players per hour, has a lower barrier to entry for beginners and in many cases fits on the land you already have. For clubs thinking about converting a tennis court into a padel court, it pays to have the facts at hand before you make a decision.

In this article we answer the most common questions from club boards and building committees. From the popularity of padel to the practical choices when selecting a contractor: here you will find everything you need to make a well-considered choice.

Why has padel become so popular so quickly in the Netherlands?

Padel has become popular because it combines sport with social accessibility. You learn the basic rules in one afternoon, you always play with four people, and the cage structure keeps the ball in play, so rallies last longer and the game feels more fun straight away. That makes it attractive to people who have never held a racket before.

Where tennis has a steep learning curve, padel is satisfying to play almost immediately. The low barrier attracts not only sports enthusiasts but also people who would not normally join a sports club. That is exactly why padel is so interesting for clubs struggling with declining membership numbers.

The social component also plays a big role. Padel is almost always played in pairs, which makes it very much a team sport for people who want to be active together. That leads to high retention: members who play padel stay members. For tennis clubs that want to attract and retain young members, that is a strong argument for taking padel seriously.

What are the main benefits of a padel court for a club?

The main benefits of a padel court for a club are higher court occupancy, more membership income, a lower barrier for new members and a more attractive sports offering. Padel generates more playing hours per court than tennis, attracts a broader target group and in most cases fits on existing land.

In concrete terms this means for operations: more bookings per day, more court rental and therefore more income, without necessarily needing more land. Padel is always played with four, which also increases the social activity around the court. That has a positive effect on the club feel, catering revenue and the overall liveliness of the club.

Another benefit that clubs regularly mention is the rejuvenation of the membership base. Padel appeals to a younger target group than tennis. By adding padel courts, you bring in a new group of players who might otherwise never join a tennis club.

How many more players can a padel court serve than a tennis court?

Per playing hour, a padel court structurally serves more players than a tennis court, because padel is always played with four people. While a tennis court in doubles also holds four players, with padel that is the standard. There is no singles variant that keeps courts occupied by just two players. With a full schedule, that results in higher utilisation per court.

In addition, padel matches are generally shorter than tennis matches. A padel set takes less time on average than a tennis set, which means you can let more groups play in the same time slot. In practice clubs see padel courts booked more heavily than tennis courts, especially in the evenings and at weekends.

For operations that is relevant: a padel court that is full for four hours an evening with groups of four generates considerably more court rental income than a tennis court that stands partly empty during those same four hours or is used by only two players.

What are the cost differences between a padel court and a tennis court?

A new padel court costs, indicatively, from approximately € 23,000 for an indoor version, turnkey including cage structure, glass, artificial turf, LED lighting and installation. An outdoor padel court is higher, from approximately € 50,000 including foundation. A new tennis court in a comparable specification is generally more expensive per playing area, but the comparison is more nuanced than construction costs alone.

A tennis court needs more playing area per court, which increases land and construction costs. A padel court has a playing size of 20 by 10 metres, whereas a tennis court requires at least 36 by 18 metres. That is a factor of just over three in area, which feeds directly into foundation costs and land use.

What does it cost to convert a tennis court into a padel court?

The cost of converting a tennis court into a padel court depends heavily on the condition of the existing base. In many cases part of the existing substructure can be reused, which considerably reduces foundation costs. The exact price depends on the soil conditions, the condition of the current surface and the number of padel courts you want to build on the freed-up land.

On average, two padel courts fit side by side on one tennis court, depending on the exact dimensions and the desired run-off zones. That means that by converting one tennis court you immediately create double the number of playing spaces, which makes the investment per court considerably more favourable.

How accessible is padel compared with tennis for new members?

For new members, padel is considerably more accessible than tennis. The cage structure keeps the ball in play by itself, the rules are easy to learn and you do not need an extensive technical foundation to play an enjoyable match. Most beginners are having fun on the court after one lesson, whereas with tennis that often takes several weeks.

That lower entry level has a direct effect on membership growth. People who do not see themselves as ‘athletes’, or who find tennis too technical, do join in for padel. That is a different target group from the traditional tennis player, and that is exactly why padel rejuvenates and diversifies clubs’ membership bases.

In addition, the equipment needed is minimal: a padel racket and a ball are enough. No special shoes or clothing are required for recreational play, and the courts are compact enough to keep the game easy to follow. For someone considering a sports club for the first time, that lowers the barrier considerably.

What space is needed for a padel court versus a tennis court?

A padel court has a playing size of 20 by 10 metres and requires at least 21 by 11 metres of installation space. For a comfortable run-off zone, 21 by 14 metres is recommended. A tennis court requires at least 36 by 18 metres, which is more than three times as much area. On the land of one tennis court, two padel courts fit in most cases.

For indoor use, a minimum clear height of 6 metres also applies. The higher the hall, the better the playing quality. For existing sports halls or tennis halls it is wise to check the clear height beforehand, so that you are not faced with surprises during the planning phase.

The compact dimensions of a padel court also make it possible to build courts at locations where a tennis court simply does not fit: narrow plots, inner-city locations or existing halls that are just too small for a full tennis court. That gives clubs more flexibility in spatial planning.

Can a tennis club add padel courts without major renovations?

Yes, in many cases a tennis club can add padel courts without major renovations, especially if there is an existing hard surface. For outdoor installation on existing land, the foundation is the biggest variable. If the current substructure of a tennis court is still in good condition, it can sometimes be reused directly or adapted slightly.

For indoor installation in an existing hall, no separate building permit is needed in many cases, provided there are no structural modifications to the building. The rules on fire safety and use do always apply, however. It is wise to check this beforehand with the municipality, so that you know where you stand.

For outdoor padel courts, an environmental permit is almost always mandatory, because of noise, lighting and spatial impact. Padel produces more noise than tennis on average, partly due to the contact of the ball with the glass walls of the cage structure. For locations near residential areas, an acoustic study is often a mandatory part of the permit application. A lead time of 8 to 12 weeks for a permit is realistic, depending on the municipality and the complexity of the situation.

What should a club look out for when choosing a padel builder?

When choosing a padel builder, the main points of attention are: whether the contractor delivers a complete package, whether the materials meet Dutch standards and are certified by Kiwa ISA Sport, whether the foundation is structurally calculated per location, and whether a clear warranty is given on the steel structure. Price is relevant, but not the only factor.

One point that many clubs underestimate is the certification of materials. In the Netherlands, all foundation components must be inspected by Kiwa ISA Sport. Not every provider is well informed about this, which can lead to non-conformity that costs you dearly later. Always ask a provider about this explicitly before you accept a quote.

Also check whether the provider calculates the structure per location. Every location has different wind loads, soil conditions and environmental factors. A standard court that is not tailored to the specific situation can cause problems in the long term, especially at locations with open terrain or on courts where sound-absorbing panels are added. Panels reduce the wind permeability of the cage structure, which means the structure has to be structurally reinforced. Not every builder can or will do this.

With every quote, also ask about the warranty conditions on the steel structure and about responsibility if something goes wrong. A provider that has the entire process in its own hands, from groundwork to completion, gives you one point of contact and one responsibility. That is a lot clearer than working with several parties who each carry out part of the project.

At I-Padel we handle the building of padel courts from A to Z: from groundwork and foundation to cage structure, glass, artificial turf and LED lighting. We produce the steel structure ourselves, work exclusively with certified materials and structurally calculate every court per location. We are happy to think along with you, without obligation, about what is possible at your location.

Frequently asked questions