How Much Does It Cost to Build a Padel Court in the UK? (2026 Full Cost Guide)
10 December 2025 · Padel Court Finder
Padel is the fastest‑growing sport in the UK, so it’s no surprise that clubs, leisure operators, schools, and investors are asking: how much does it cost to build a padel court?
A realistic UK total for a fully operational court is £35,000 to £100,000 per court, depending on court type, groundwork, lighting, and installation complexity.
Here’s a practical breakdown of the main costs (plus the bits people often forget to budget for).
Average cost to build a padel court in the UK
Here’s a realistic overview of build costs:
| Component | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Padel court structure | £25,000 – £60,000 |
| Groundworks and base | £5,000 – £30,000 |
| Lighting | £3,000 – £10,000 |
| Installation | £3,000 – £8,000 |
| Total cost per court | £35,000 – £100,000 |
The biggest variables are groundwork and whether the court is indoor or outdoor.
Cost of the padel court itself (£25,000–£60,000)
The main cost is the court structure, which includes:
- Steel frame
- Tempered glass walls
- Artificial turf surface
- Net and posts
- Drainage system
Typical prices:
- Entry-level court: £25,000 – £35,000
- Club-level court: £30,000 – £45,000
- Panoramic court: £40,000 – £60,000
Most new UK facilities choose panoramic courts, as they offer a premium look and better player experience.
Groundworks and foundation costs (£5,000–£30,000)
Groundworks are often the most unpredictable cost.
This includes:
- Excavation
- Levelling
- Concrete foundation
- Drainage
- Access preparation
Typical costs:
- Existing tennis court conversion: £5,000 – £10,000
- Good ground conditions: £10,000 – £15,000
- Complex ground conditions: £15,000 – £30,000
Poor drainage or uneven land increases costs.
Lighting costs (£3,000–£10,000)
Floodlighting is essential for UK padel courts.
Typical costs:
- Basic LED lighting: £3,000 – £5,000
- Competition-level lighting: £6,000 – £10,000
Lighting significantly increases revenue by allowing evening bookings.
Most UK courts install LED floodlights.
Installation costs (£3,000–£8,000)
Installation includes:
- Delivery
- Assembly
- Glass installation
- Turf fitting
- Final safety checks
Installation costs vary depending on location and site access.
Indoor vs outdoor padel court cost UK
Indoor courts cost significantly more due to building construction.
Outdoor padel court cost: £35,000 – £60,000 total
Indoor padel court cost: £60,000 – £100,000+ total
Indoor courts typically require:
- Steel building structure
- Roofing
- Ventilation
- Additional lighting
However, indoor courts generate more revenue due to year-round use.
Multi-court installation cost savings
Building multiple courts reduces the cost per court.
| Number of courts | Cost per court |
|---|---|
| 1 court | £45,000 – £100,000 |
| 2 courts | £40,000 – £80,000 |
| 4 courts | £35,000 – £60,000 |
| 6+ courts | £30,000 – £55,000 |
Shared groundwork and installation reduce costs.
Most UK padel clubs build 3 to 6 courts.
Planning permission costs UK (£0–£5,000)
Planning requirements vary. You may need:
- Planning permission application
- Noise assessments
- Lighting reports
- Structural approval
Typical planning costs: £500 – £5,000
Some installations fall under permitted development.
Ongoing maintenance costs (£1,000–£3,000 per year)
Padel courts are relatively cheap to maintain.
Typical annual costs:
- Turf maintenance
- Glass cleaning
- Lighting electricity
- Minor repairs
Padel courts typically last 15–20 years with sensible maintenance.
Total cost example: real UK padel court build
Example outdoor court:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Court | £38,000 |
| Groundworks | £12,000 |
| Lighting | £5,000 |
| Installation | £5,000 |
| Total | £60,000 |
This is typical for a high-quality UK club court.
How long does it take to build a padel court?
Typical timeline:
- Planning and ordering: 4–12 weeks
- Groundworks: 1–2 weeks
- Installation: 1 week
Total time: 6–16 weeks
Is building a padel court profitable in the UK?
Padel courts can generate significant revenue.
Typical booking price: £20–£60 per hour (see UK booking costs).
Example revenue:
- 6 hours per day average usage
- £40 per hour
- £240 per day
- £87,600 per year per court
Many courts can pay for themselves within 1–3 years, but that depends heavily on utilisation, pricing, and operating costs.
Why padel courts are growing so fast in the UK
The UK has fewer padel courts than countries like Spain and Sweden, but demand is growing rapidly.
Clubs, gyms, and leisure centres are investing due to:
- High demand
- Strong revenue potential
- Low maintenance costs
- Fast installation
Hundreds of new courts are expected to open across the UK.
Summary: UK padel court build cost
Typical total cost to build a padel court in the UK:
- Minimum cost: £35,000
- Average cost: £50,000 – £70,000
- Premium indoor courts: £70,000 – £100,000+
Costs depend on:
- Court quality
- Groundworks
- Lighting
- Indoor vs outdoor installation
Padel courts are one of the most profitable and fastest-growing sports investments in the UK.