Build a padel court
with clear numbers.
Planning a padel venue, whether one court at home, two courts for a hotel, four courts for a club or a six-court indoor hall as an investment? Here you get transparent planning assumptions, typical permit topics and an honest initial view. Free, comparable and without sales pressure.
For early planning we work with cost corridors rather than fixed prices: outdoor, existing indoor halls and new indoor builds differ strongly by ground conditions, access works, hall structure, equipment and location. A commercial venue only makes sense when catchment area, utilization, financing and permit risk fit together.
This page answers the five questions every project owner asks in the first two weeks: What will it cost? Is it viable? Can I get it permitted? Does it fit on the plot? Who can build it?
Run the numbers before you call the architect.
Four tools, one common thread: you clarify costs, viability, permits and space one after another. Each tool remembers your values and hands them to the next one. At the end you have a complete picture of your project and can optionally send it to us for review with one click.
Cost calculator
A realistic range for your venue in five steps, including site works, hall share and permit reserve.
Calculate costs arrow_forward Step 2ROI calculator
Ten-year cash flow, profit margin and payback for three scenarios: best, average and worst case.
Check ROI arrow_forward Step 3Permit checklist
Eight questions, a risk score from green to red, plus typical expert reports and review points for your case.
Check risk arrow_forward Step 4Space planner
How many courts fit on your plot? Visual layout with FIP dimensions, paths and reception area.
Check space arrow_forwardResult & consulting
Your tool results are transferred automatically into the free initial consultation. You can also get in touch at any time without using the tools.
What does a padel court really cost?
The range is wide, not because manufacturers are necessarily opaque, but because padel construction projects differ technically. Standard, mid-range and premium setups can be far apart in the model. These ranges combine our market observation, public benchmarks and planning assumptions.
| Build type | Standard | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor court per court, with lighting |
45.000 bis 65.000 € | 65.000 bis 85.000 € | 85.000 bis 110.000 € |
| Indoor court in an existing hall court fit-out only |
23.000 bis 35.000 € | 35.000 bis 47.000 € | 47.000 bis 60.000 € |
| Indoor venue with new-build hall per court including hall share |
150.000 bis 200.000 € | 200.000 bis 250.000 € | 250.000 bis 300.000 € |
Site works, permits, soft costs and region are added on top. The Cost calculator helps you apply these assumptions to your project.
What you can earn and when it starts to pay back.
The decisive lever is not the investment amount, but utilization. A venue at 30% utilization loses money; one at 55% can pay back in five to six years. Here are the key values for a typical four-court indoor venue in a medium-sized city.
trending_upCalculate ROI for your caseHow much space do you really need?
The FIP playing field standard is clear: 20 m × 10 m. For early planning we use about 22 m × 12 m per court because wall construction, operating buffer and paths have to be added. Total space also depends on reception, changing rooms, parking, fire safety and plot geometry.
- 20 × 10 mplaying field according to FIP standard
- 22 × 12 mPadelCompass planning dimension including walls and buffer
- 8 mFIP recommendation for new indoor venues
- 3 bis 5parking heuristic for initial planning
Which build type fits your project?
The answer is rarely black or white. Here is the honest comparison and why hybrid venues are often the premium option.
Outdoor
- ✓ Lowest investment (45–110k EUR per court)
- ✓ Fastest build (6–9 months)
- ✓ Ideal for clubs, hotels and southern locations
- – 270 instead of 365 playing days per year
- – Check noise and visual protection early
- – Utilization depends on weather
Indoor
- ✓ 365 playing days and more predictable cash flow
- ✓ Higher hourly rates (26–44 EUR)
- ✓ Best profit margin (28–40%)
- – 2 bis 3× higher investment
- – Check hall height against FIP and building requirements early
- – Significant energy costs
Hybrid (⅔ indoor, ⅓ outdoor)
- ✓ Diversifies risk
- ✓ Summer outdoor courts attract walk-in demand
- ✓ Indoor courts secure winter cash flow
- – More complex permit process
- – More land required
- – Higher initial investment
Clarify permits and noise protection early.
Whether a padel court is permit-free, requires a permit or must be assessed as a change of use depends on location, state building law, zoning plan and actual use. Plan an early conversation with the building authority or a specialist planner; noise protection, parking, fire safety and neighbours are typical review topics.
verified_user Risiko-Check startenSpecial-use sports zone, clear site access and preliminary building inquiry submitted: 8-14 weeks.
Mixed-use area, noise report likely and parking concept still missing: 12-20 weeks.
Residential area, new indoor build without fire safety concept: 18-28 weeks.
Outdoor area under Section 35 BauGB, new access works and no preliminary discussion: 24+ weeks.
From first idea to opening in seven phases.
Realistic duration: 12 to 18 months. Good phasing can shorten this significantly; skipping phase 3 or 4 creates expensive loops.
Concept and location analysis
Clarify target group, venue size, location and competition in the catchment area. This is where the key assumptions for the later business case are created. Population and competition radius should be checked early.
Financial viability and financing
Review business plan, cash-flow model and financing options. Which equity ratio is viable depends on operator, location, collateral and bank.
Pre-planning and architect
Clarify architect, structural engineering, noise, soil and fire safety depending on project need. A preliminary building inquiry can help sort fundamental questions before the building application.
Permits
Prepare building application, fire safety proof, parking concept or change of use depending on location. This step is often the most critical part of the timeline.
Tendering and supplier selection
Request three to five court manufacturers and hall builders in parallel. Court-set delivery time in season is 12-20 weeks, so ask early.
Construction
Coordinate earthworks, foundation (ring foundation or drainage asphalt), court construction, hall and technical systems. This requires construction supervision, not DIY.
Opening and marketing
Booking system, local PR, opening events and first partnerships with tennis clubs. Opening without marketing leads to around 30% fewer bookings in the first quarter.
You are not building in the abstract; you are building for your context.
Investor, hotel, club, private owner or municipality: each target group has different levers for funding, economics and permits. These are the dedicated focus pages:
Investor / business
4–6 indoor courts, EUR 1–2 million, holding structure, sweet spot in suburban urban belts.
Learn more arrow_forwardHotel / resort
1–2 courts as a USP: possible extra demand, longer stays and social media content.
Learn more arrow_forwardTennis club
Tennis court conversion, new target groups and potential club or sports funding to check.
Learn more arrow_forwardPrivate / commercial property
Private or commercial court with special focus on permits, insurance and usage concept.
Learn more arrow_forwardMunicipality
Heritable building rights, concession agreements, PPP models, public value and clearly allocated responsibilities.
Learn more arrow_forwardDo none of these fit?
Briefly describe your project. We help you classify it and show which next steps may make sense.
Request initial consultation arrow_forwardThe eight questions everyone asks first.
Looking for a specific answer? The full FAQ page answers 28 questions in detail.
How much does it cost to build a padel court?
For early planning, PadelCompass works with cost corridors. Outdoor courts, indoor courts in existing buildings and complete new hall builds differ strongly because foundations, hall structure, site works, lighting, region and equipment change the range. Use the cost calculator first, then check the values against concrete offers.
Is building a padel venue in Germany worthwhile?
It can make sense when location, catchment area, utilization, financing and permit risk fit together. Our ROI calculation is a scenario model and does not replace a business plan. In many cases the key lever is utilization, not just construction cost.
How large does a padel court need to be?
The playing field measures 20 m × 10 m under FIP rules. PadelCompass uses about 22 m × 12 m as the planning dimension per court because wall construction, operating buffer and paths are added. The FIP states 6 m clear minimum height and recommends 8 m for new venues. Land requirement also depends on reception, changing rooms, parking, fire safety and plot shape.
Do I need a building permit for a padel court?
There is no universal answer for every location. Because of height, glass and steel structure, foundation, change of use, parking spaces and sports-facility noise, every project should be checked early with the building authority or a specialist planner. A preliminary building inquiry is often useful. PadelCompass does not replace legal advice.
Which is better: indoor or outdoor?
Indoor offers more predictable use and weather protection, but costs significantly more. Outdoor is often cheaper and faster, but depends more on weather, noise and neighbourhood topics. Hybrid venues can make sense, but must be calculated for the specific location.
How many padel players does a court need in its catchment area?
There is no universal minimum number. PadelCompass uses catchment area, competition, accessibility and expected utilization as planning assumptions. The decisive factors are location quality, booking convenience, community building, price level and local competition.
How long does it take to build a padel venue?
For early timelines, plan for several months to more than a year. Outdoor is usually faster than a new indoor build, but permits, expert reports, change of use, delivery times and earthworks can significantly shift the timeline.
What funding is available for padel venues?
Funding depends on federal state, owner, non-profit status, accessibility, programme calls and own funds. Clubs should check state sports federation, municipality and regional programmes early; commercial operators review financing separately with bank and tax advice.
Do you want to get your build project assessed?
We look at your numbers, location and open questions. If a carefully selected partner fits your project, we can include them specifically in the assessment.