Padel Special: Everything you need to know about planning and building padel courts

All good things come in threes! After learning in parts one and two of our padel special what padel is, what equipment you need, where the sport comes from, and what technical and tactical elements it contains, we now continue with part three, the final part of our padel special for now. Today you'll learn what you should consider and keep in mind when building a padel court . These are questions that many tennis clubs are currently grappling with. Our padel expert, Yannik Mann, has compiled the most important decision criteria for you . From planning and construction to maintenance and the not insignificant question of costs. And, of course, Yannik will also answer the question of whether building a padel court is "worth it."

• Number of courts: One isn't enough! Padel is a very social sport; it thrives on having many like-minded people at the facility. Events with 8 or 16 players are even more fun than a simple match and foster a sense of community. With only one court, you can only organize very small tournaments, and even as a club, you can only accommodate around 50 members per court. So plan for two courts or more.
  
  
• Dimensions: The standard dimensions for a padel court are 10.80 m wide and 20.80 m long. In addition, there are the supporting pillars and, optionally, a run-off area of ​​2 m wide and 8 m long next to the entrances on both sides.
  
  
• Materials: Court builders typically offer various court options. A standard padel court consists of 2-meter-wide panels attached to posts. There are also panoramic courtswhere the back walls are made entirely of glass, without posts, for better visibility of the game.
  Regarding the surface, it's important to note that there are differences in the length and composition of the synthetic fibers. There are long and short fibers, as well as twisted fibers. The amount of sand used varies across the courts, and depending on the amount, clay court shoes or padel shoes are recommended. The court builder should provide you with detailed information about the available options. If you're planning an outdoor court, be sure to inquire about drainage.
  
  
• Building permits and related matters: In Germany, construction on existing sports facilities, especially in tennis halls, is somewhat simpler, but the bureaucratic process unfortunately often takes a very long time. There are companies on the market that offer all-in-one solutions and handle your project from planning to handover. This includes dealing with authorities and applying for subsidies. It is particularly important to observe the applicable German standards, which your court builder must take into account.

Padel court construction

The construction of a padel court should be carried out by a company with experience . This is the only way to ensure that the court meets the demands of the game and has a long lifespan. Ask for reference projects that you could visit if you have any doubts, so you can see and feel how the materials were used.

The construction of a padel court can be divided into two phases:

1. Foundation: The foundation forms the basis for the padel court. A concrete foundation is usually poured. However, there are now other soil compaction solutions that are cheaper and faster.
2. Installation: Once the foundation is ready, the installation of the padel court usually takes 1-3 days.

Padel court maintenance

After construction, regular maintenance of the padel court is essential. This primarily involves distributing the sand and cleaning the court walls. Maintaining padel courts is much simpler than maintaining tennis clay courts. Due to the back-and-forth movement of players in padel, sand accumulates on the back wall, in the corners, along the back wall, and in the center. The sand should be replenished regularly to ensure consistent ball bounce and sliding. Various tools are available for this purpose, from simple brooms to motorized machines that allow for the removal and redistribution of compacted sand from the bottom of the court.

The court should be maintained with motorized equipment approximately twice a year. Especially with outdoor padel courts, proper maintenance is crucial for the longevity of the artificial turf. The artificial turf typically needs to be replaced after 4-5 years. With proper care, its lifespan can be extended by at least a year. 

Padel court costs

A padel court alone currently costs between €25,000 and €35,000 on the German market, depending on the model. When comparing offers, be sure to check whether delivery is included or not.

For an outdoor tennis court with a foundation and installation, you can expect to pay around €70,000. Some providers already offer financing options, while others have mobile courts available for rent.

Yannik's conclusion: Is building a padel court "worth it"?

Building a padel court is a worthwhile investment, especially now that we in Germany are at the beginning of a major padel movement that has captivated our neighboring countries for years. Besides constructing the facility itself, effective promotion is crucial. This includes open play sessions, community building, match organization, league participation, tournament formats, and, of course, training.

If you are interested in building a sports field and need more information, please contact our expert Yannik Mann. Simply fill out the form below.

Train with the professionals from the very beginning and improve yourself

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Everything at a glance

On our Padel Tennis Inspiration page you will find all blog posts on the topic of Padel as well as current Padel camps and TennisTravellerhotels where you can play Padel perfectly.

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