Playing Surface

The playing surface is one of the most regulated aspects of a padel court, directly affecting ball bounce consistency and player safety. For overall court dimensions, see court dimensions. For footwear requirements, see padel shoes.

Flatness Requirement

• Maximum deviation: 3mm per 3 metres in any direction
• The surface must be level and free of bumps or depressions that could create irregular bounces

Approved Surface Materials

Official FIP regulations accept three categories of surface:

1. Concrete or Cement

• Durable and low-maintenance
• Provides consistent, predictable ball bounce

2. Synthetic Materials

• Must comply with the FIP Courts Homologation Annex
• Weather-resistant for outdoor courts
• Controlled ball speed depending on texture

3. Artificial Grass

• Must comply with the FIP Courts Homologation Annex
• Provides shock absorption and player comfort
• Pile height affects ball speed and bounce characteristics
• Typically used with sand infill

Drainage

• The surface must avoid water accumulation
• For surfaces without drainage, the maximum transverse evacuation slope is 1% from the center towards the outer edges of the court

Official Colours

• Permitted colours: green, blue, or terracotta (and similar tones) — must be uniform across the entire court
• The surface colour must contrast clearly with the wall surface colour

Court Lines

All lines are painted directly on the surface:

• Width: 5cm
• Colour: white or black (must contrast with surface)
• Lines: service lines (6.95m from net), central service line (extends 20cm beyond service line)