What do I need to arrange before the installation of a padel court begins?

Building a padel court takes more preparation than most people expect. Before the first steel structure goes into the ground, you need to have a number of things in place: from permits and foundation choices to utilities and enough free space on the site. Anyone who handles this preparation well avoids delays, extra costs and unpleasant surprises during construction.

In this article we answer the most frequently asked questions about everything that needs to be arranged before the installation of a padel court begins. That way you know exactly where you stand and can approach the project in a structured way.

What are the steps before installing a padel court?

Before installing a padel court, you go through four steps: a site check and space assessment, the permit application, foundation preparation and arranging utilities. Only when all these steps are complete can the steel structure be installed. The order matters, because a permit or foundation advice can influence the choices in the steps that follow.

Preparation starts with a thorough site check. How much space is available? What are the soil conditions? Are there obstacles such as cables, pipes or trees? On the basis of that information, a structural calculation is made that is specific to your site. A padel court is not a standard product that you can put up anywhere. Every site has different conditions, and these help determine the choices for the foundation, the structure and any noise measures.

The permit application follows, which takes 8 to 12 weeks on average. At the same time, you can already start on the foundation advice based on soil probing. As soon as the permit is in and the foundation is ready, the steel structure can be delivered and installed.

Do I need a permit for a padel court?

In most cases, an environmental permit is required for a padel court. This applies almost always to outdoor padel courts and in many situations also to indoor placement where structural modifications to the building are needed. Building without a permit is not an option: the municipality can stop the project, impose fines or require the cage structure to be removed.

When is a permit required?

A permit is in any case required if the padel court is placed outdoors, if structural work takes place, or if noise and lighting affect the surroundings. Is the site close to residential buildings? Then an acoustic study is almost always required. Padel produces more noise than tennis, with an average sound power level of around 91 dB. That is roughly 10 dB more than tennis, mainly because of the ball hitting glass and steel.

Which documents do you need for the permit application?

For a complete permit application you will generally need the following documents:

• Structural calculations in accordance with the Dutch Building Decree (Bouwbesluit)
• Acoustic study
• Lighting study
• Site plan
• Where applicable, an ecological or archaeological study

The processing time for a permit application averages 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the municipality and the complexity of the project. Allow plenty of time for this. In addition, after completion, an inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory for official matches. Kiwa ISA Sport is the recognised body that tests sports surfaces and structures in the Netherlands against sports-technical and safety standards.

Which foundation options are there for a padel court?

There are three commonly used foundation options for a padel court: drainage concrete, Supersub and ZOAB asphalt. Which option suits best depends on the site, the soil conditions, the use and the budget. Besides these three, a ring foundation and strong plastic plates are also used as an alternative to poured concrete.

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 where drainage and stability are important.

Drainage concrete has an average lifespan of 25 to 40 years, is resistant to frost and intensive use, and has a bearing capacity of around 5 tonnes. For padel courts, drainage concrete is often combined with a ring foundation with steel reinforcement to properly absorb the forces from the steel structure and wind load.

Supersub

Supersub is a foundation solution based on foam concrete: a lightweight, self-levelling type of concrete that creates a flat and stable base. It is shock-absorbing, water-permeable (for outdoor use) and in many cases can be poured within a single day. The thickness varies from around 10 cm for renovation to around 15 cm for new construction, depending on the soil conditions. Supersub is fully recyclable and requires considerably less transport and raw materials than traditional foundations.

ZOAB asphalt

ZOAB asphalt, in full porous asphalt concrete, is a porous asphalt variant that lets water through. It is less common for padel courts than drainage concrete or Supersub, but in certain situations it is a good option. Good foundation advice always starts with soil probing. Without that data, it is impossible to make a sound choice. In the Netherlands, all foundation components must be inspected by Kiwa ISA Sport, so that they comply with the applicable sports-technical standards.

What needs to be prepared on site before construction?

Before a padel court is built, the site must be clear, level and accessible. In concrete terms, this means: obstacles removed, the subsoil remediated if necessary, and enough room for equipment and transport to drive in. The better the site is prepared, the smoother the installation goes.

A padel court has a playing area of 20 by 10 metres. The minimum installation space is 21 by 11 metres. For a comfortable playing experience, a space of 21 by 14 metres is recommended, including run-off zones at the short ends. For indoor sites, a minimum clear height of 6 metres also applies. Is the hall lower? Then a padel court is technically not possible or its use is severely restricted.

Also check that the ground is free of cables, pipes or other obstacles below ground level. This prevents unexpected costs and delays during the groundwork. On outdoor sites, wind load plays an extra role: depending on the wind zone the site falls in, different structural requirements are placed on the steel structure. Open terrain, coastal locations or locations with tall buildings nearby call for a heavier calculation.

Which utilities do I need for a padel court?

For a padel court you need at least a power connection for the LED lighting. On outdoor courts, good drainage is also important. Depending on the site and use, a data connection for booking systems and a separate circuit per court for the lighting may also be relevant.

The LED lighting of a padel court requires a stable power connection with sufficient capacity. Have this checked beforehand by an electrician, so that the existing installation can handle the load. For larger projects with multiple courts, it is wise to install a separate circuit per court, so that you can switch the lighting per court and, if desired, link it to a booking system.

On outdoor padel courts, drainage around the court needs attention. A water-permeable foundation such as drainage concrete or Supersub takes care of rainwater drainage through the surface, but the area around the court must also drain well to prevent puddles and mud. Discuss this during site preparation, so that it can be included in the groundwork.

How long do the preparation and installation of a padel court take?

The total lead time of a padel court project, including preparation, production and installation, averages 10 to 12 weeks. The installation itself is relatively quick: installing the cage structure takes around 2 days, and laying the artificial turf 1 to 2 days. The longest phase is the preparation, in particular the permit application.

A realistic schedule looks like this:

1. Site check and structural calculation: 1 to 2 weeks
2. Permit application: 8 to 12 weeks on average
3. Foundation preparation and groundwork: depending on the situation, 1 to 3 weeks
4. Production and delivery of the steel structure: runs in parallel with the steps above
5. Installation of the cage structure: around 2 days
6. Artificial turf and LED lighting: 1 to 2 days

In most cases, the permit application is the deciding factor for the total lead time. Anyone who starts on it early prevents the whole project from waiting on paperwork. So start the permit application as early as possible in the process, preferably in parallel with the site check and the foundation advice.

What are the most common mistakes in preparing a padel court?

The most common mistakes in preparing a padel court are: starting the permit application too late, not allowing enough for foundation costs, and not having the site properly measured before construction. These mistakes almost always lead to delays or unexpected extra costs.

Starting the permit application too late

A permit application takes 8 to 12 weeks on average. Anyone who waits until the rest of the project is already under way quickly runs into months of delay. Start the application as early as possible, preferably at the same time as the first site discussions.

Underestimating foundation costs

For outdoor padel courts, the foundation is the biggest cost factor. The costs average between €20,000 and €40,000, depending on soil conditions, accessibility and the civil works required. Anyone who only looks at the price of the court itself will face unpleasant surprises later. Always request a quotation in which the foundation is included as a separate item.

Not measuring the space properly

A padel court needs at least 21 by 11 metres, but for run-off zones 21 by 14 metres is recommended. Anyone who does not measure the space accurately risks the court not fitting or the playing experience being limited by too little run-off space. Always have the site professionally measured, including the height for indoor sites.

Leaving noise nuisance out of the planning

Padel produces more noise than most people expect beforehand. Anyone who wants to build near homes and does not have an acoustic study carried out risks the permit being refused or expensive modifications being needed afterwards. Include noise measures in the planning phase, not only once complaints come in.

At I-Padel we guide the entire process from site check to completion, including the permit application, foundation advice and structural calculations for each site. We work exclusively with certified materials that meet the requirements of Kiwa ISA Sport, so you are not faced with unexpected non-conformity. Want to know what building a padel court means for your specific site? Get in touch for an initial exploration and we will think along with you, without obligation.

Frequently asked questions