With padel being the fastest-growing sport in the UK, the demand for both private and public courts has increased accordingly. As more clubs and individuals consider adding padel facilities, a common question arises: what is the cost of building a padel court UK?
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), who are the national governing body for the sport, plans to increase the number of courts from 350, to 1,000 courts in Great Britain by the end of 2025, making it a great time to invest in building a padel court, with more funding and resources available than ever before.
The LTA have invested £6 million into 40 padel facility projects funding a total of 75 new courts, as they aim to grow the number of annual padel players from 129,000 to 400,000.
An enclosed court can enhance the gameplay experience and is a popular choice for many new padel clubs to ensure it can be used in all weathers and to leverage investment.
Whether you’re looking to construct a padel court in your back garden for that wow factor, or an investor interested in understanding more about the costs associated with building a padel court in the UK, we’ll cover it all in this article.
What is the Cost of Building a Padel Court UK?
The most common surface for playing padel is sand-based astroturf, which provides excellent traction and durability. However, other surfaces such as hard (macadam) and synthetic rubber are also used, each offering different playing characteristics.
Many excellent UK-based court manufacturers and contractors can design courts based on your performance and budgetary needs.
The cost of building a new padel court is typically in the region of £28,000 to £35,000 for a good basic court and £70,000 to £85,000 for a professional court that’s either inside a building or that has a canopy. Considering a well-maintained padel court can last up to 20 years, the investment is certainly worth it.
These costs cover the extensive groundwork, full-court specs, and any ancillary equipment required. Because the foundational groundwork for a padel court takes up almost half of the budget, reusing an existing foundation, like a tennis or squash court, can significantly reduce costs.
Whether for an outdoor padel tennis court cost or an indoor court for public or private use, the padel court cost factors depend on your specific requirements and how you plan to integrate padel into your space.
Many leisure centres are now looking to integrate padel into their facilities due to its growing popularity and the ability to maximize space usage.
Due to the high demand for padel across the UK, established tennis clubs are also converting some of their tennis courts to padel courts instead to try and meet demand, especially as up to 3 padel tennis courts can be built on the equivalent of 1 tennis court.
Local Councils are also looking to see how they can build padel courts given the popularity of the sport, and the biggest challenge currently being where to find a padel facilities near you.
Factors That Can Affect the Cost of Padel Court UK Construction:
The extent of groundwork needed
Whether planning permission is needed in your area
Number of padel courts (building costs can often be reduced the more courts you build)
Base, sub-base and drainage system used
Selected artificial turf grass or court surface used
The quality of the glass walls used
Any environmental mitigation methods required on-site
Necessary floodlighting, fencing, and equipment needed
Funding options available for developing or enhancing tennis and padel facilities, such as the Quick Access Loan Scheme offered by the LTA
Additional work may be needed in the form of ancillary equipment or civil engineering. It’s best to budget additional funds for this, should groundworks be required as this can influence the final cost of building a padel court in the UK.
This can include:
Access pathways and driveways
Standings or seating areas around the padel court for spectators during a game
Car parks or any other surrounding steel structure you wish to include
Padel Court Dimensions
One of the primary considerations when deciding to build a court is the padel court dimensions themselves. With a court measuring 20m long x 10m wide you’ll need to be sure you have enough space to dedicate to your new court.
The unique dimensions and design of the court make it an ideal space to play padel tennis, offering a distinct and engaging experience compared to traditional tennis.
Padel Court Design and Construction
Designing and constructing a padel court involves several key components, each contributing to the overall functionality and aesthetics of the court. The primary elements include the court surface, fencing, lighting, and additional amenities.
The court surface is a critical factor, with artificial turf being the most popular choice due to its durability and low maintenance requirements. Fencing, usually made of glass walls and metal mesh, ensures the ball stays within the court while providing clear visibility for spectators. Proper lighting is essential for evening play and should be installed at a height of at least 6 meters to avoid interfering with the game. Additional amenities such as seating areas, access pathways, and parking can further enhance the court’s appeal and functionality.
Labor costs, including installation and construction, also play a significant role in the overall expense. Hiring experienced professionals ensures that the court is built to high standards, providing a safe and enjoyable playing environment for years to come.
Building a Padel Court: Step-by-Step Guide
Building a padel court requires meticulous planning and execution. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Planning Permission: Initial concept designs and planning specs are submitted for approval
Environmental Considerations: and health and safety plans are finalised
Prepare the Ground: Clear the area of any vegetation and level the ground to ensure stability. Get the drainage system installed.
Build the Foundation: Construct a strong foundation using a concrete slab, typically 15-20cm thick, to ensure the court’s longevity.
Install the Fencing: Enclose the court with glass walls and metal mesh fencing. The walls should be 3m high, with the fencing extending to 4m to prevent the ball from leaving the court.
Install the Artificial Turf: Choose high-quality artificial turf specifically designed for padel to create the playing surface.
Install the Lighting: Set up lighting at a height of at least 6m to facilitate play during low-light conditions.
Mark the Court Lines: Clearly mark the court lines with paint or tape. The court dimensions are 10m x 20m, with the net height at 88cm in the center and 92cm at the posts.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your padel court is built to professional standards, providing a top-notch playing experience.
Do You Need Planning Permission to Build a Padel Court?
For public courts, the construction will require consent to be issued by the relevant local authorities. The site developer or padel court construction company is commonly responsible for getting the planning consent from the local council.
For private padel courts, this can depend on the area you live. We recommend checking with your local authorities before starting construction to install or chatting with your trusted padel court construction company as they should be aware of any restrictions in your area.
How Long Does it Take to Build a Padel Court?
As with most construction projects, the design and planning phase tends to take the longest but planning permissions can also take some time to be approved depending on the scope of the project.
Once planning has been approved, the typical length of on-site construction is between 6 to 8 weeks to fully install and construct padel courts.
Choosing a Contractor
Selecting the right contractor for your padel court construction project is crucial to ensure quality and efficiency. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:
Look for Experience: Choose a contractor with a proven track record in building sports facilities, particularly padel courts.
Check Credentials: Verify that the contractor has the necessary certifications and licenses to operate in your area.
Get Multiple Quotes: Obtain quotes from several contractors to compare prices and services.
Check References: Ask for references from previous clients to gauge the contractor’s work quality and reliability.
Check Insurance: Ensure the contractor has adequate insurance coverage to protect you and your property in case of accidents or damages.
By following these guidelines, you can find a reputable contractor who will deliver a high-quality padel court that meets your expectations.
Here at PadelTennisGuide.com, we have a short-list of padel court building suppliers we are happy to recommend. Just drop your details into our Contact Us form and we will put you in touch straight away.
What Funding is Available to Build a Padel Court?
As we’ve mentioned, the LTA and its members are spearheading the development of tennis and padel facilities across the UK, now offering a Quick Access Loan Scheme to eligible organisations. The LTA provides interest-free loans from £25,000 to £250,000 to fund padel tennis facilities.
Private finance like operating leases or hire purchase agreements may also be available depending on the operational intent and location of your padel court.
Many corporations are also investing in and sponsoring unique pop-up courts at shopping centres and other public facilities.
What Are the Maintenance Costs Associated With a Padel Court?
Ongoing maintenance costs are a crucial consideration when planning the cost of building a padel court UK. Many environmental elements and physical factors can influence the extent to which certain issues affect your court. Overall, padel courts can be low-maintenance if properly cared for.
Here are some of the key factors that will influence your maintenance costs:
Regular cleaning of debris and repair of minor cracks and damage to the ground and fencing
Surface maintenance like brushing, levelling, and sand infilling to ensure optimal playing conditions
Repainting of line markings at necessity intervals
Net and equipment replacement is required to maintain a safe and enjoyable playing experience on your court
General wear and tear to lighting and electrical systems
Benefits of Padel Court Construction
Constructing a padel court can bring numerous benefits to your sports club, leisure centre, or community. Here are some of the key advantages:
Increased Revenue: Padel courts can generate income through court hire, membership fees, and hosting tournaments.
Improved Facilities: Adding a padel court can enhance the overall facilities of your sports club or leisure centre, making it more attractive to members and visitors.
Increased Participation: As one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, padel can attract new members and participants to your sports club or leisure centre.
Low Maintenance: Padel courts are relatively low maintenance compared to other sports facilities, making them a cost-effective option.
Community Engagement: Padel courts can foster community engagement and social interaction, making them a valuable addition to any sports club or leisure centre.
Accessibility: Padel is also very accessible for people with mobility and/or fitness issues as it’s usually played in doubles and it is also accessible for wheel chair users.
Investing in padel court construction can provide long-term benefits, enhancing your facilities and attracting a broader audience to your sports club or leisure centre.
Quick Considerations When Building a Padel Court
Padel can be a noisy sport so try to keep your neighbours and court acoustics in mind. There have been several articles in the press where neighbours to tennis clubs have been raising complaints about the noise of padel compared to tennis. Therefore the position of the padel court to your neighbours is an important consideration.
You can choose to build a singles padel court if you don’t have the space for a full doubles court and to reduce the padel court build cost.
Consider the wind and lighting of your intended location for the best results and return on your investment.
Cost of Building a Padel Court UK - Next steps to building your own court
A padel court is a great long-term investment for racket sports enthusiasts or investors looking to jump at the opportunity to capitalise on one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Andy Murray himself has already invested with Game4Padel to build 3 new courts in Westfield London.
If you’re looking to invest, having a chat with a padel court building company to supply a quote based on your specific requirements is a good start. Here at PadelTennisGuide.com, we have a short-list of padel court building suppliers we are happy to recommend. Just drop your details into our Contact Us form and we will put you in touch straight away.
Remember, while the upfront cost of building a padel court UK may be significant, the potential for long-term returns and the growing popularity of the sport make it a compelling investment for many.
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