How much space do you need for a padel court?
A standard doubles padel court has an internal playing area of 20m x 10m. The actual development footprint is larger because the project may also need the court enclosure, access, pathways, lighting, drainage, spectator areas and space between multiple courts.
A 20m x 10m piece of land is therefore not automatically enough for a padel court.
Reviewed by the Build & Padel construction team · Last reviewed: September 2026
Standard padel court dimensions
The internal playing area of a standard doubles padel court is 20m long by 10m wide — 200 square metres — enclosed by glass back walls and a combination of glass and mesh at the sides.
Final court dimensions, enclosure heights and safety requirements should follow the current court manufacturer specification and the applicable current technical standards for your project. Singles courts use a narrower format.
Why the site needs more than 200 square metres
Structure
The enclosure, posts and fixings sit at the edge of the playing area and need their own footprint.
Access
Entrances to the court and a clear route from parking or the clubhouse.
Maintenance access
Room to bring in brushing equipment, infill and replacement glass or turf.
Pathways
Firm, usable paths around and between courts.
Lighting
Column positions and the space they need outside the court.
Drainage
Channels, falls and outfalls that extend beyond the playing surface.
Spectators
Somewhere for people to watch, wait and gather.
Accessible circulation
Routes that work for all players and visitors.
Plant / services
Electrical distribution, lighting controls and any other equipment.
Space for multiple padel courts
Simply multiplying 20 x 10 by the number of courts is not good site planning. A multi-court venue should consider:
Circulation
How players move between courts, entrances and facilities.
Court spacing
Clear space between enclosures for access, maintenance and safety.
Player flow
Avoiding bottlenecks at session changeovers.
Spectator areas
Viewing space that doesn't block routes.
Delivery and maintenance access
Routes wide enough for materials and equipment.
Lighting
A lighting layout that serves every court evenly.
Drainage
One coordinated drainage design across the whole area.
Future expansion
Leaving space and services for more courts later.
How much indoor space does a padel court need?
Indoors, the building sets the limits. There is no single universal building height that suits every project — clear height should be checked against current standards, the court specification and how the venue will be used. We look at:
Floor dimensions
Enough usable floor for the court plus surrounding circulation.
Structural columns
Columns and bracing that decide where courts can realistically sit.
Clear height
Height across the whole playing area, not only at the ridge.
Roof profile
Pitched or curved roofs reduce usable height towards the eaves.
Lighting
Mounting positions that give even, glare-controlled light.
Fire routes
Escape routes and exits that remain clear once courts are installed.
Access
Door sizes and routes for glass, steel and equipment during installation.
Existing slab
Whether the floor is level, sound and suitable for court fixings.
Can a padel court fit on an existing tennis court?
It may be possible — a tennis court is larger than a padel court — but dimensions alone are not enough. Before deciding, check the base condition, drainage, levels, planning, access, existing services, court orientation and the usable space around the court.
Planning is covered in our padel court planning permission guide, and base requirements in our groundworks and foundations guide.
Can a padel court fit in a warehouse?
Sometimes. The same approach applies: floor area is only the first check. Clear height, columns, the roof profile, the existing slab, fire routes, access for installation and the planning position all decide whether a warehouse genuinely works for padel.
A Site Feasibility Review measures the site or building and tests indicative layouts before money is committed.
Technical references
Useful independent sources. Build & Padel does not set padel regulations — check the current applicable standard and manufacturer specification for your project.
- International Padel Federation (FIP) — The international federation responsible for the rules of padel.
- Lawn Tennis Association — Padel — The governing body for padel in Britain, including facility guidance.
- SAPCA — The UK trade association for sports facility construction and its codes of practice.
Book a Site Feasibility Review
Tell us about your land, venue or club. We'll arrange a site visit, give you a straight answer on what's possible, and outline the realistic cost and timeline of a padel court build.