How Much Does a Padel Court Cost? Full Price Breakdown (2026)

A single padel court costs between €25,000 and €50,000 to build and install. The final price depends on the court manufacturer, glass type, surface material, lighting, and whether the court is indoor or outdoor. Here is a complete breakdown of all costs involved.

Court Construction Cost Breakdown

Structure and Glass

The court structure — steel frame, glass walls, and metal mesh — is the largest single cost:

Component	Cost Range
Standard court structure (steel + glass + mesh)	€18,000–€35,000
Panoramic glass (full glass walls, no mesh)	€30,000–€45,000
Installation labour	€3,000–€6,000

Panoramic courts (all glass, no mesh panels) are more expensive but preferred for clubs and venues because they offer better spectator visibility and a modern look. Standard courts with mesh on the upper walls and ends are more affordable and perfectly functional for recreational use.

Playing Surface

The playing surface is laid on top of a prepared base (usually a concrete slab):

Surface Type	Cost Range (per court)
Artificial grass (sand-filled)	€4,000–€8,000
Artificial grass (premium, longer pile)	€7,000–€12,000
Surface installation labour	€1,000–€2,000

Artificial grass with silica sand infill is the standard surface for padel courts worldwide. Premium surfaces with longer fibres and mixed sand provide better playing characteristics and last longer, but cost more upfront.

Base Preparation

Before the court can be installed, you need a flat, level base:

Work	Cost Range
Concrete slab (200 mm, reinforced)	€5,000–€10,000
Site clearance and groundwork	€2,000–€5,000
Drainage	€1,000–€3,000

If you are building on an existing flat surface (such as converting a tennis court or car park), base preparation costs can be significantly lower. Uneven or sloped sites require more extensive groundwork.

Lighting

Outdoor courts require floodlighting for evening play:

Lighting Type	Cost Range (per court)
LED floodlights (4 poles)	€3,000–€6,000
Traditional halogen/metal halide	€2,000–€4,000
Installation and electrical work	€1,500–€3,000

LED lighting is more expensive upfront but uses 50–70% less electricity and lasts significantly longer. Most new installations choose LED for the long-term savings.

Indoor courts avoid the pole and installation cost but require adequate ceiling height (minimum 6 m, ideally 8–10 m) and existing lighting infrastructure.

Total Installation Cost Summary

Court Type	Total Cost Range
Outdoor standard (1 court)	€25,000–€40,000
Outdoor panoramic (1 court)	€40,000–€55,000
Indoor standard (1 court, existing building)	€22,000–€38,000
Indoor panoramic (1 court, existing building)	€35,000–€50,000

Building multiple courts at once reduces the per-court cost. A 4-court outdoor club installation typically costs €90,000–€160,000 — roughly 10–15% less per court than a single installation.

Annual Running Costs

Once your court is built, ongoing costs include:

Expense	Annual Cost Range
Surface maintenance (sand top-up, brushing)	€500–€1,500
Lighting electricity (outdoor, LED, 4h/day avg.)	€600–€1,200
Glass and mesh repairs	€300–€1,000
General maintenance and cleaning	€500–€1,000
Surface replacement (every 5–8 years, amortised)	€800–€1,600/year
Total annual running cost	€3,000–€6,500

Indoor courts may have higher running costs due to heating, ventilation, and building maintenance — expect €5,000–€8,000 per year for an indoor court.

How Long Does a Padel Court Last?

With proper maintenance:

• Steel structure and glass: 20–30 years
• Artificial grass surface: 5–8 years before replacement
• Lighting (LED): 10–15 years
• Metal mesh panels: 10–15 years

The surface is the component you will replace most often. Budget for a full resurface every 5–8 years depending on usage intensity and climate.

Return on Investment for Clubs

Padel courts can generate strong returns for clubs and commercial operators:

• A court rented at €30–€60 per hour for 8–10 hours per day generates €80,000–€200,000 per year per court
• With operating costs of €3,000–€8,000 per year, the payback period on a single court is typically 6–18 months
• Multiple courts improve economics further through shared infrastructure and staffing

This explains the rapid growth of padel clubs worldwide — the combination of relatively low construction costs, high utilisation rates, and strong demand makes padel courts one of the best-returning sports infrastructure investments.

Key Considerations Before Building

Before committing to a padel court installation:

• Planning permission — check local regulations for outdoor court construction, especially regarding lighting and noise
• Minimum space — a single court requires approximately 22 m × 12 m including run-off area, plus access space
• Multiple courts — building 2–4 courts is more economical and creates a better playing community
• Indoor vs outdoor — indoor courts allow year-round play in cold climates but require a suitable building with adequate ceiling height
• Manufacturer reputation — choose an established court manufacturer with installation experience and after-sales support

For information about padel court dimensions and specifications, see our court dimensions guide. To understand court orientation and lighting best practices, see our court orientation guide and court illumination guide.