This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating the business plan for a padel center.
Launching a padel center requires a precise view of construction costs from day one.
)(a couple of sentences sentences)If you want to dig deeper and learn more, you can download our business plan for a padel center. Also, before launching, get all the profit, revenue, and cost breakdowns you need for complete clarity with our padel center financial forecast.
This guide gives you clear, quantified answers on padel court construction costs as of October 2025. Use it to build a realistic capex budget for a single court or a multi-court padel center.
Figures below reflect standard 20×10 m courts (footprint ~34×20 m including safety/run-offs and perimeter works) and typical European/UK supplier pricing; adjust for your local market.
| Cost Component | What It Covers | Typical Range (per court) |
|---|---|---|
| Total build (materials + labor) | Full turnkey court: structure, glass/mesh, turf + infill, lighting, basic groundwork | $24,000–$65,000 |
| Site prep & foundation | Clearing, leveling, drainage, concrete slab/sub-base, geotextile if needed | $5/m² (basic) to €5,000–€10,000; foundations €0–€35,000 |
| Playing surface | Monofilament or fibrillated padel turf, silica sand infill, adhesives | $10,000–$20,000 (≈€26–€35/m² for turf) |
| Glass & steel structure | Tempered glass panels, posts/frames, mesh fencing, anchors | $15,000–$25,000 (glass) or €16,500–€35,000 combined |
| Lighting | LED masts, luminaires, wiring, controls, install to sports lux levels | $2,800–$10,000 (≈€1,800–€8,000) |
| Amenities | Player seating, signage, access gates, benches, minor landscaping | $600–$2,000 (basic); +€5,000–€20,000 for facilities blocks |
| Transport & logistics | Factory-to-site freight, handling of glass, cranes/forklifts, offloading | $5,000–$22,000 (location dependent) |
| Professional services | Design, structural engineering, project management, compliance | 10%–15% of construction cost |
| Contingency | Unknown ground conditions, weather, design changes, re-inspections | 10%–20% of total project cost |

What is the average cost to build a single padel court, including materials and labor?
A realistic turnkey budget for one standard padel court is $24,000–$65,000.
This includes the steel/glass structure, turf and infill, basic site prep, and installation labor. The low end uses economy finishes and simpler site conditions; the high end reflects premium glass/steel, deeper foundations, and higher-wattage LEDs.
Most new padel centers in 2025 plan around $38,000–$55,000 per outdoor court before amenities. Set a higher allowance if your soil is weak, your site needs drainage, or your access requires cranes and extra handling for glass.
Price swings come from groundworks, logistics, and the specification level of glass, framing, and lighting.
Use the total range to bracket supplier quotes and pressure-test contingencies in your padel center budget.
How does the cost differ between indoor and outdoor padel courts?
Outdoor courts cost less to build than indoor courts.
Outdoor builds avoid a building envelope and HVAC, so you mostly pay for the court itself, groundwork, and lighting. Indoor courts carry the court cost plus the roof/structure, enclosure, lighting design for indoor play, and often HVAC or ventilation.
As a rule of thumb in the UK and similar markets, outdoor courts run ~£45,000–£60,000 per court equivalent, while indoor courts run ~£60,000–£80,000 per court equivalent because of the enclosing building and services.
If you already own a suitable shell (warehouse or sports hall), fit-out can be materially cheaper than constructing a new building.
Account separately for acoustic treatment and insulation when siting multiple indoor courts near residential areas.
What are the typical costs per square meter for land preparation and foundation work?
Basic site prep starts around $5/m², but complex sites cost far more.
Budget €5,000–€10,000 per court for typical clearing, leveling, sub-base, and drainage on moderate sites. Foundations add anywhere from €0 for competent existing slabs to €35,000 for new reinforced slabs on poor soils.
Where water tables are high, include perimeter drains, geotextiles, and fall corrections; where soils are strong and flat, you can slash groundwork outlays.
Ask your installer for slab specs (thickness, reinforcement, bearing capacity) matched to local frost and load requirements.
Sub-base quality directly impacts turf longevity and glass alignment in your padel center.
How much should be budgeted for the playing surface, including turf and infill materials?
Allocate $10,000–$20,000 for turf and infill per court.
Pricing depends on yarn type (monofilament vs. fibrillated), pile height (often 10–13 mm for padel), UV stabilization, and the silica sand grade and quantity. Expect ~€26–€35 per m² for quality turf alone, plus infill and adhesives.
Premium monofilament systems play faster and keep ball bounce more consistent; economy systems can reduce capex but may require earlier replacement.
Confirm warranty terms (UV, seam integrity, yarn wear) and recommended maintenance to protect play quality.
Plan replacement in your lifecycle model at 5–7 years under commercial use.
What are the costs of the glass walls, fencing, and supporting structures?
The glass and steel package is one of the biggest line items.
Tempered glass with steel framing typically lands between $15,000 and $25,000 for glass alone, or €16,500–€35,000 for combined glass + steel structures depending on thickness (10–12 mm), panel sizes, and anchoring.
Mesh fencing used with or instead of glass reduces cost to roughly $5,000–$10,000 but changes the play experience and aesthetics.
Heavier frames and thicker glass improve durability and reduce vibration, which matters at busy padel centers.
Check wind/snow load calculations and anchoring details with your engineer.
How much does professional lighting installation usually add to the total construction cost?
LED sports lighting usually adds $2,800–$10,000 per court.
The range reflects mast count, luminaire output, optics, and control gear to meet recommended lux and uniformity. Indoor courts can need different optics and ceiling arrangements; outdoor courts need glare control for neighbors.
LEDs cost more upfront than halogen but cut power draw and maintenance over time, improving your padel center’s operating margin.
Model lighting loads in your financial plan to forecast electricity costs and booking-hour pricing.
Ask suppliers for lighting layouts and photometric files to verify compliance before ordering.
What is the estimated cost of seating, amenities, and additional infrastructure around the court?
Basic on-court amenities add $600–$2,000 per court.
This covers benches, access gates, signage, and minor landscaping. Adding spectator bleachers, changing rooms, toilets, and reception spaces for a commercial padel center can add €5,000–€20,000+ depending on size and finish.
Plan utility connections (water, wastewater, power) early to avoid rework and trenching duplication.
Cluster shared amenities between courts to reduce per-court capex in multi-court builds.
We cover pragmatic amenity layouts in the padel center business plan.
How do costs vary depending on the country or region of construction?
Regional labor, regulation, and freight drive significant variance.
Southern/Eastern Europe, Turkey, and China generally offer lower installed costs due to cheaper labor and supplier proximity. The UK, Scandinavia, the U.S., and the Middle East typically price higher due to labor rates, compliance, and logistics.
Currency swings and import duties also affect final pricing where components are sourced cross-border.
When comparing quotes, normalize specs (glass thickness, turf grade, lighting lux) to avoid false savings.
You’ll find regional benchmarking templates in our padel center business plan, updated every quarter.
What permits, licenses, or regulatory fees need to be factored into the initial budget?
Allow $500–$5,000 for permits and statutory fees per project.
Typical items include planning/zoning approvals, building permits, fire and safety inspections, and sometimes environmental or noise studies for urban sites.
Lead times can run weeks to months; start early to keep your padel center timeline intact.
Ask your local authority if sports lighting or acoustic barriers trigger separate approvals.
Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our padel center business plan.
What are the typical transportation and logistics costs for materials and specialized equipment?
Freight and handling run about $5,000–$22,000 per court.
Cost drivers include distance from factory, international shipping, site access, and the need for cranes or telehandlers to offload glass safely. Remote sites or constrained urban deliveries push costs to the upper end.
Consolidate shipments for multi-court projects to reduce per-court freight and minimize breakage risk.
Confirm insurance coverage for glass in transit and during lift operations.
Plan delivery windows to align with slab curing and installer availability at your padel center.
How much should be allocated for professional design, engineering, and project management services?
Set aside 10%–15% of construction cost for professional services.
This covers architectural layout, structural calculations, M&E coordination, permitting support, and site project management. Turnkey options may quote a lump sum or a percentage; scope checks are essential.
For new indoor shells, add building design fees, code compliance reports, and sometimes acoustic modeling.
Request a detailed deliverables list (drawings, calcs, inspections, handover pack) before appointment.
This is one of the strategies explained in our padel center business plan.
What is the expected contingency or buffer percentage to cover unforeseen expenses during construction?
Carry a 10%–20% contingency on total project cost.
Use the lower end for simple outdoor courts on proven ground; use the upper end for indoor builds, poor soils, or tight urban sites. Contingency typically addresses latent ground issues, weather delays, redesigns, and re-inspections.
Release unused contingency only after commissioning and snagging are complete.
Keep a separate 5%–8% operating buffer for opening month variances in your padel center.
It’s a key part of what we outline in the padel center business plan.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
(a couple of sentences)
(a couple of sentences)
Sources
- Sports Venue Calculator — Padel Court Construction Cost
- Bookteq — Padel Court Cost
- Alles Voor Padel — Court Costs & Permits
- Rezerv — How Much Does It Cost to Build a Padel Court?
- Padel.fyi — Padel Court Cost
- The Padel Architects — Services & Fees
- LTA — Padel Court Construction Guidance (2025)
- WITHASA — Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Courts
- Padel Creations — Court Configuration & Price
- Padel House Sports — Breaking Down Padel Court Costs
-How much does it cost to open a padel court?
-Padel center: maintenance & equipment costs
-Padel center: build a financial plan
-Padel center: marketing strategy
-Padel center: set competitive, profitable rates
-Padel court lifespan & replacement costs


