Building a padel court: a technical and regulatory process

As padel continues to attract more and more players in France, the question of court construction is arising for communities, sports clubs, and private investors. Behind the apparent simplicity of these facilities lies a rigorous technical process, subject to precise standards. Here's an overview of the essential steps.

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Location, a strategic issue

Choosing a site is the first step, and arguably one of the most complex. Between the constraints of the Local Urban Planning Plan, the need for ample space and sufficient ceiling height (minimum 7 meters for indoor courts), and the cost of land, the search can be lengthy. In some cases, using a specialized real estate agency can help you better target areas compatible with this type of sports facility.

Essential authorizations

Once a location has been found, the project cannot begin without the approval of local authorities. For an outdoor site, a prior declaration of work is generally sufficient. However, the construction of an indoor center requires the submission of a building permit, which must be carried out by an architect. Specific standards also apply to Public Access Buildings (ERP), with safety committee approvals.

Building a padel court: a technical and regulatory process

The main work: foundations and slab

Construction begins with ground preparation. On a virgin site, the ground must be stripped, the earth removed, concrete foundations laid, a drainage hedgehog installed, and then a porous concrete slab poured.

In an existing building, it is sometimes possible to reuse a pre-existing slab, provided that it is made of reinforced concrete of at least 12 cm, perfectly flat (tolerance of 6 mm under a 3-meter rule), and without cracks or imperfections. If irregularities are present, a leveling compound or a fiber-reinforced screed can correct the defects. Note: the area of the net posts, subject to high tension, must be particularly strong.

Installation of the padel court

The next step is assembling the court. This involves laying out the slab, installing the steel structure and lighting, installing the windows, installing the padel-specific carpet, and then adding secondary equipment: net, benches, protective equipment, etc. Finishing touches may be required: joints, paint touch-ups, aesthetic adjustments, etc.

Approval by the French Tennis Federation

Finally, for the field to be officially recognized and able to host competitions, approval by the FFT is essential. The FFT verifies several criteria: regulatory distances, quality of installation, circulation space, compliance with official dimensions, among others.

A supervised but accessible approach

While building a padel court requires rigor, technical expertise, and foresight, it remains accessible provided you surround yourself with the right people. Several specialized companies support project leaders every step of the way. And with the boom in padel in France, these infrastructures are expected to multiply.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.