What does the FIP standard mean for the construction of an indoor padel court?

The FIP standard (Federación Internacional de Pádel) sets the minimum technical requirements a padel court must meet to be suitable for official use and matches. For the steel structure of an indoor padel court, this means that dimensions, material strength, connections and safety must comply with established standards. In this article we answer the most frequently asked questions about what the FIP standard means in practice for your building project.

What requirements does the FIP standard set for a steel structure?

The FIP standard sets requirements for the dimensions, the structural strength and the safety of the steel structure of a padel court. A court must measure exactly 20 by 10 metres, with a minimum free playing height of 6 metres. The cage structure must be stable enough to absorb wind load, the forces of the glass walls and intensive use over a long period.

In concrete terms, this means the following for the steel structure:

• The posts, beams and connections must be dimensioned for the loads prescribed by the standard.
• The steel must be treated against corrosion, especially for outdoor courts but also for indoor courts in humid environments.
• The structure must not have sharp edges or protruding parts that could injure players.
• Glass, mesh and panels must be fixed to the structure safely and in accordance with the standard.

The FIP standard is therefore not a purely administrative requirement, but a technical framework that directly affects how the steel structure is designed and produced. A court that meets the FIP standard is not only suitable for matches, but also offers greater certainty about the lifespan and safety of the investment.

Does the FIP standard differ for indoor and outdoor padel courts?

The basic dimensions and playing requirements of the FIP standard apply to both indoor and outdoor padel courts. The difference lies in the structural detailing: an outdoor padel court must be built more heavily because of weather influences, wind load and temperature changes. The FIP standard prescribes the same playing space for both types, but the structural calculations differ greatly.

With an indoor padel court the wind load is limited or absent, depending on the hall. The steel structure can therefore be dimensioned lighter than for an outdoor court. Even so, an indoor court must also be structurally calculated for the specific conditions of the location, such as the height of the hall, the presence of air currents and the fixing to the floor.

For outdoor padel courts, additional requirements apply in the areas of:

• Wind load in accordance with the applicable wind zone in the Netherlands.
• Corrosion protection, for which hot-dip galvanised steel is the standard.
• Foundation, which must be heavier and deeper to absorb the forces of the structure in a storm.

The FIP standard provides the playing framework; the structural calculation per location determines what the steel structure looks like in practice.

What happens if a padel court does not meet the FIP standard?

A padel court that does not meet the FIP standard cannot be used for official matches or tournaments. In addition, a non-compliant court can cause problems with permit granting, the inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport and liability in the event of damage or accidents.

In practice this has the following consequences:

• No official use: Clubs and operators who want to take part in competitions or organise tournaments are obliged to play on FIP-certified courts. A non-compliant court rules out that possibility.
• Problems at inspection: For official use, an inspection by a recognised body such as Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory. A court that does not meet the standard will not pass that inspection.
• Liability risk: If a structure does not meet the applicable standards and damage or injury occurs, the owner can be held liable. This is a serious risk for an investment that lasts for decades.
• Permit problems: Municipalities and building control can reject or halt a court that does not meet the structural standards.

It is therefore not just a matter of sport. FIP compliance directly affects the legal and financial position of the owner or operator.

How do you know whether a supplier delivers FIP-certified courts?

You can tell whether a supplier delivers FIP-certified courts by asking about the certification of the specific court models and the accompanying documentation. A reliable supplier can demonstrate that its courts have been tested and approved in accordance with the FIP standards, and can provide structural calculations and inspection reports.

Concrete steps to check this:

1. Ask for certification documentation: A supplier that delivers FIP-certified courts has demonstrable documentation. Ask for it explicitly before you accept a quotation.
2. Check whether Kiwa ISA Sport is involved: In the Netherlands, foundation components and the court itself must be inspected by Kiwa ISA Sport. Ask whether the supplier works with certified materials and whether the court is inspected after handover.
3. Ask for structural calculations: A serious supplier draws up a structural calculation for each location. If a supplier offers a standard court without a location-specific calculation, that is a signal to be critical.
4. Look at reference projects: Ask about previously delivered courts that are already in use for official matches. That is a practical confirmation of FIP compliance.

Also watch out for suppliers that import materials without giving insight into the origin or certification of the structure. Transparency about the production process is a good gauge of reliability.

Does custom work affect the FIP certification of a padel court?

Custom work has no negative effect on FIP certification, as long as the modifications take place within the framework of the standard. The playing dimensions and safety requirements remain decisive. Structural custom work, such as adapted posts, sound-absorbing panels or a deviating layout, is possible as long as the court is structurally recalculated and continues to meet the standards.

This is an important point for locations with specific requirements. Think of:

• Halls with limited height or width, where the structure has to be adapted without reducing the playing space.
• Locations where sound-absorbing panels are used. These panels reduce the wind permeability of the cage, which means the structure has to be structurally reinforced. That reinforcement is not a limitation, but a requirement to remain FIP-compliant and safe.
• Courts at locations with increased wind load, such as open sites or coastal locations.

The key is that custom work must always be accompanied by a new structural calculation. A supplier that delivers standard components and does not structurally calculate custom work puts the FIP compliance and the safety of the court at risk. Custom work and certification are therefore not mutually exclusive, but they do require technical care.

Do you want to know more about what an indoor padel court costs and what is included? Then also read what an indoor padel court costs.

How I-Padel helps with FIP-compliant padel courts

We produce the steel structure of every padel court entirely in our own factory, with more than 40 years of experience in steel fabrication. That means we are not dependent on standardised imported structures, but can structurally calculate and adapt every court to the specific location and the client’s requirements. Our courts meet the FIP standard and are suitable for official use and inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport.

What we offer in the context of FIP compliance:

• Structural calculation per location, including wind load and foundation advice.
• In-house production of the steel structure, with full control over quality and dimensional accuracy.
• Integration of sound-absorbing panels with the associated structural reinforcement.
• Support with the inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport after handover.
• Turnkey realisation from A to Z, including foundation, glass, artificial turf and LED lighting.

Do you want to know what this means for your location and project? Get in touch for an initial exploration and we will think along with you, without obligation.

Frequently asked questions