Convert tennis court to padel court
– From existing tennis courts to future-proof padel courts
More and more tennis clubs are exploring the possibilities of converting (part of) their tennis courts into padel courts. Padel is accessible, popular, and intensively played, which leads to higher utilization and new energy within the club. At the same time, converting a tennis court into padel courts raises many questions. Is the existing surface suitable? How much space is needed? What does this mean for the foundation, and which factors affect the cost?
At I‑Padel, we guide you through this process from start to finish. Not with standard solutions, but based on the location, existing conditions, and future plans of the club.
Why Tennis Clubs Choose Padel
For many clubs, padel is a logical addition to the existing sports offering. The sport requires less technique to get started, appeals to a wide audience, and is used more intensively than traditional tennis courts. This often creates the desire to replace or combine existing tennis courts with padel courts.
Converting a tennis court into padel courts is often more efficient than building new ones, provided the existing surface allows it. This is why a proper technical assessment is essential.
How Does Converting a Tennis Court Work?
A tennis court often consists of a fixed structure, with a layer of M3C sand and a lava layer underneath. These layers were originally installed to provide stability, water permeability, and load-bearing capacity. In practice, this often means a solid base is already available for further construction.
Whether these existing layers can actually be reused varies by location. Consider the state of the drainage, the flatness of the court, and the load the new padel construction will bring. We always assess the existing situation before making decisions.
Reusing the Existing Surface: What Is Possible?
In many cases, reusing the existing foundation or layers is possible, but it can never be guaranteed in advance. Solutions such as Supersub, drain concrete, or open asphalt concrete can be applied on top of the existing lava layer. Which option is most suitable depends on multiple factors.
At I‑Padel, we always consider these choices alongside the foundation advice, ensuring that the final solution is technically sound and future-proof.
Four Padel Courts on Two Tennis Courts: A Popular Solution
A common solution at tennis clubs is to create four padel courts on the site of two existing tennis courts. This layout, often called the “Molenwiek” (windmill) shape, makes efficient use of available space and provides maximum padel capacity.
This configuration is not possible everywhere, but in practice, we see it is feasible and attractive for many clubs. Smart space planning creates a future-proof facility with high utilization.
Which Factors Affect the Costs?
The costs of converting a tennis court into padel courts depend heavily on the location. There is no fixed price because every site is different. Factors include:
- The condition of the existing drainage
- The current dimensions of the tennis court and possible widening
- The number of padel courts to be built
- Choice of sports flooring, such as Supersub, drain concrete, or asphalt
- Any additional foundation work
In some cases, a padel court can start from around €30,000, but additional costs for foundation and preparation are almost always added. We always refer to our cost pages for more details.
Foundation Work: Crucial in Conversion
Even when converting an existing tennis court, foundation work remains essential. Especially for outdoor padel courts, weather, load from glass and steel, and long-term use play a major role. A solid foundation prevents subsidence and ensures the court can be used for years without problems.
We carry out additional research where necessary and provide foundation advice before construction begins.
Building the Padel Courts
After assessing the surface and completing any foundation work, the actual construction of the padel courts begins. The steel structure, glass walls, and other components are installed on the prepared surface according to technical specifications and calculations, ensuring safety and durability.
Building a padel court is customized and tailored to the chosen number of courts and available space.
On-Site Advice and End-to-End Support
No tennis facility is the same, so we do not believe in standard answers. We are happy to visit the location, assess the existing situation, and work with the club to find the best solution. Based on this, we prepare a fully detailed quote tailored to the club’s needs and possibilities.
This way, you know what to expect and avoid surprises.