The development of  padel in France  This is accompanied by a phenomenon that has received little attention: the proximity of certain plots of land to dwellings. A national scientific study published in 2026 provides, for the first time, a  precise territorial analysis of the risks of noise pollution related to padel courts .

His findings show that  the risks are not evenly distributed across the territory Some regions and certain types of municipalities appear to be significantly more affected than others.

With help by EchoPadel  et  ScienceDirect Let's take a closer look at a topic that sometimes causes a stir…

A national map of 878 padel sites

The researchers have compiled a database including  878 padel sites listed in metropolitan France distributed across:

  •  747 Commons 
  •  89 departments 
  •  the 13 metropolitan regions .

Each site was studied using mapping and spatial analysis tools to measure the proximity between the land and the dwellings.

In total, the study identifies  271 sites classified as having “potentially high exposure” that is to say, facilities located at  less than 100 meters from at least one residential building with direct visibility .

This represents :

  •  271 out of 878 sites 
  • or,  30,87% of the installations studied in France .

In other words,  Nearly one in three padel courts could be located in a configuration likely to cause a nuisance for local residents. .

Uneven geographical distribution

The study reveals that  The distribution of these at-risk areas varies considerably across French regions. .

Researchers are observing a  statistically significant heterogeneity  in the territorial distribution of sites closest to dwellings.

Some regions have a higher concentration of land in this configuration.

The case of the PACA region

The region  Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur  appears as one of the most affected territories.

  • she represents  14,24% of all padel sites in France 
  • closest  22,88% of sites classified as risk .

Even more striking:

  •  Nearly 49,6% of padel courts in the PACA region are classified as having a high-risk configuration. .

This means that One in two plots of land in this region could be located in the immediate vicinity of dwellings. .

Less exposed regions

Conversely, some regions appear to be significantly less affected.

For example:

  •  Grand East  : lower proportion of at-risk land
  •  Centre-Val de Loire  : very low representation in this category.

These discrepancies can be explained in particular by:

  • the urban structure of the territories
  • population density
  • the location of sports complexes.

The determining role of municipal density

One of the most striking results of the study concerns  the type of municipalities where the land is located .

The researchers classified the municipalities according to the INSEE density grid:

  • major urban centers
  • intermediate urban centers
  • urban fringes
  • small towns
  • rural communities.

The results show a clear trend:

 The lower the population density, the greater the proportion of land at risk. .

This statistical relationship was confirmed by a significant trend test (p = 0,0078).

Small towns particularly affected

The most affected category is that of  small towns .

In these municipalities:

  •  79 padel sites have been identified. 
  •  34 are classified as at risk i.e  43,04% of installations .

In other words :

 Nearly half of all properties in small towns are located too close to homes. .

This proportion is significantly higher than that observed in large cities.

Rural areas are also at risk

Rural communities also appear to be affected.

In territories classified as  scattered or very scattered rural areas  :

  •  40% of the land is classified as risky .

These territories represent:

  •  5,69% of national sites 
  • closest  7,38% of the land at risk .

These results show that  the most sensitive configurations are often located in the least densely urbanized areas .

Larger cities are less exposed.

Conversely, large metropolitan areas seem to be relatively less affected.

In  major urban centers  :

  •  276 padel sites have been identified. 
  •  72 are classified as at risk i.e  26,09% .

This remains a significant figure, but it remains  significantly lower than that observed in small towns or rural areas .

Why small towns concentrate more risks

Several factors explain this situation.

1. Sports complexes closer to homes

In small towns, sports facilities are often installed:

  • in residential areas
  • in the immediate vicinity of dwellings
  • in existing municipal facilities.

Unlike in large cities, sports facilities are rarely located in  areas dedicated to sports or commercial activities .

2. Fewer resources for technical studies

The study also highlights that small communities often have  fewer technical and financial resources  to conduct:

  • acoustic studies
  • impact analyses
  • complex urban planning procedures.

This can lead to installations  less acoustically regulated .

3. Still heterogeneous regulations

The researchers point out that the rules governing the installation of padel courts remain  highly variable depending on the country and territory .

Several technical guides recommend following  a minimum distance of approximately 100 meters between the land and the dwellings  in order to limit noise pollution.

But these recommendations are not always followed.

Padel's growth is outpacing urban planning

Padel is currently experiencing  exceptional growth in Europe and France .

This rapid expansion has sometimes preceded adaptation:

  • urban planning regulations
  • acoustic studies
  • recommendations for implementation.

According to the study, this discrepancy could explain  the increase in complaints from local residents observed in certain areas .

A major issue for the future of padel

The researchers emphasize one essential point:  The problem doesn't stem from padel itself, but from the layout of the courts. .

The results of the study now make it possible to identify  the most sensitive territorial configurations  :

  • small towns
  • rural areas
  • regions where the fields are located near dwellings.

This data could be used to:

  • improve the implantation rules
  • anticipating conflicts with local residents
  • better plan the development of padel.

In a rapidly expanding sport,  The question of integrating sports fields into the urban fabric is becoming a central issue in ensuring sustainable coexistence between clubs and residents. .

 Source  

Dufour JC., Bonnet C. (2026)
 Managing padel-court siting near housing: guideline adherence shortfalls and populations at risk – national evidence from France 
City and Environment Interactions.

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.

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