Complete Guide to Padel Courts
Indoor or outdoor? Turf or concrete? Glass or mesh? The court you play on affects bounce, comfort, and enjoyment. This guide covers regulation dimensions, surface types, wall materials, and how to pick a quality club.
Regulation dimensions
All official padel courts follow FIP/WPT standards — enclosed walls are part of the playing area.
Total size
20 m × 10 m
Back wall height
3 m glass
Side walls
3 m glass + mesh
Net height
88 cm centre / 92 cm posts
Service line
3 m from back wall
Players
Doubles only (2v2)
Quick verdict
Turf indoors · outdoor for value
Artificial turf is the surface pros play on — choose it when possible. Indoor courts give consistent training conditions; outdoor saves money in good weather. Avoid plain concrete if joint comfort matters.
Indoor vs outdoor vs covered
Indoor courts
- Consistent conditions year-round
- No rain or wind interruptions
- Controlled lighting — no sun glare
- Ideal for competitive training
- Higher hourly rental cost
- Can feel enclosed
- Air quality depends on ventilation
Best for Serious players, harsh climates, winter training
Outdoor courts
- Fresh air and natural light
- Usually lower rental cost
- Spacious open feel
- Great in mild weather
- Weather cancellations
- Sun glare and wind affect play
- Surface heats up in direct sun
Best for Recreational play, sunny climates, budget sessions
Covered outdoor
- Rain and sun protection
- Natural ventilation
- Lower cost than full indoor
- Fewer weather cancellations
- Wind can still affect lobs
- Temperature not fully controlled
- Side spray in heavy rain
Best for Moderate climates, players wanting balance
Court surfaces
Surface choice affects ball speed, grip, comfort, and injury risk.
Artificial turf
Synthetic grass with silica sand infill — used at virtually all pro events. Best bounce consistency and joint comfort.
- Professional-standard bounce
- Excellent grip and traction
- Forgiving on knees and ankles
- Periodic sand refilling
- Hot in direct sunlight
Concrete (coated)
Painted or coated hard surface. Durable and cheap but punishing on joints.
- Very durable
- Low maintenance
- Quick-drying
- Hard on joints
- Faster, higher bounce
- Slippery when wet
Modular tiles
Interlocking plastic tiles — popular for rooftops and temporary setups.
- Fast installation
- Good drainage
- Replaceable tiles
- Less natural feel
- Can get very hot
- Variable bounce
Cushioned acrylic
Concrete base with cushioned acrylic layers — softer than bare concrete.
- Better shock absorption
- Consistent bounce
- Professional look
- Higher cost
- Recoating every 3–5 years
Wall materials
Tempered glass
10–12 mm panels on back and lower side walls. Tournament standard — clear visibility and consistent rebound.
Panoramic glass
Full-height glass panels for spectator-friendly clubs. Premium aesthetic, higher cost.
Galvanised mesh
Upper side walls and budget courts. Durable and weather-resistant but ball can catch on mesh.
Polycarbonate
Transparent plastic alternative to glass. Cheaper but scratches and can yellow over time.
Weather & playing conditions
Hot / sunny
Faster ball, hot surface, faster fatigue
Play morning or evening. Hydrate every 15 min. Turf can exceed 50°C — wear proper shoes.
Humid / overcast
Heavier air, slower ball, more sweat
Ball travels slower. Check grip tape often. Pace yourself for longer rallies.
Windy
Unpredictable lobs and trajectories
Keep shots lower. Reduce high lobs. Indoor eliminates wind entirely.
Cold
Dead ball feel, stiff muscles, injury risk
Extend warm-up to 15+ min. Prefer indoor below 10°C. Layer up until warm.
How to choose a court
Surface condition
- Even turf with adequate sand infill
- Clear, visible court lines
- No cracks, bumps, or puddles
Walls & glass
- Tempered safety glass — not regular glass
- Clean panels, intact mesh
- Consistent rebound off back wall
Lighting
- Even coverage — no dark corners
- Minimal glare on glass
- Adequate for evening play
Facilities
- Changing rooms and showers
- Parking or transport access
- Online booking system
Pricing & availability
- Peak vs off-peak rates
- Membership or pay-per-play
- Courts available at your preferred times
Quality signals
- FIP / WPT events hosted
- Recent renovation or installation
- Consistent positive reviews
What to bring
Non-marking soles, lateral support — never running shoes.
Required at many clubs. Close-range play makes this critical.
Padel is intense cardio — hydrate before and during.
Clubs supply balls; bring a tube if you practise regularly.
Clubs may rent one — see our beginner's guide for first-buy advice.
Common questions
Can you play padel on a tennis court?
No — padel requires enclosed walls and a smaller 20×10 m court. The sports are completely different.
How many padel courts fit on a tennis court?
Roughly two padel courts can replace one tennis court footprint — a key reason for padel's rapid club growth.
Does surface affect racket choice?
Slightly — fast concrete rewards control rackets; turf suits all types. Surface matters more for shoes and ball bounce than racket specs.
Where to learn wall play?
Walls are unique to padel — read our wall play guide after your first few court sessions.
Keep learning
New to padel? Start with rules and gear, then master wall play on the court.
Ready for your first match?
Book a court, bring the right shoes, and pick a control-friendly racket for your level.