Indoor padel in a building you already have.
Indoor courts play all year, which makes them worth more wherever winters are long or summers are hot. An existing warehouse skips the hardest part, the building. Here is what it has to offer before it can take courts.
Can you put a padel court in a warehouse?
Yes, if the building has at least 6 m (19.7 ft) of clear height over each court, 8 m (26.2 ft) for the best play, and room for 21 × 11 m per court between columns. A flat concrete floor that takes anchors, lighting, ventilation and a change-of-use permit usually complete the list.
- 6 m
- Minimum clear height over the court (19.7 ft)
- FIP Rules of Padel
- 8 m
- Clear height suggested for new facilities (26.2 ft)
- FIP Rules of Padel
- 21 × 11 m
- Floor area to plan per court, between columns (69 × 36 ft)
- Padel Backers planning assumption
- +20–40%
- Indoor cost over outdoor, before the building itself
- Pickletile, GZUnipadel
What to check in the building
| Check | What padel needs | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Clear height | 6 m minimum, 8 m suggested | Measured under the lowest beam, light, duct or sprinkler, over the whole court. |
| Column grid | 21 × 11 m free per court | A column inside a court is a dealbreaker. The grid decides how many courts fit. |
| Floor | Flat concrete that takes anchors | Enclosure posts bolt into the slab. Cracks and joints are mapped on the survey. |
| Lighting | Even light, out of the clear zone | Fixtures sit above the clear height or along the sides, never over the play area. |
| Air and condensation | Ventilation, often heating | Condensation on glass and turf makes the court slippery. |
| Use and safety | Change-of-use permit | Fire exits, occupancy and accessibility rules follow the new use. |
Height first, area second
Floor area is easy to find. Clear height is not. Measure from the floor to the lowest obstruction above the court, not to the roof deck, and remember that sprinklers, lights and ducts all count.
At 6 m, padel is legal under the FIP rules. At 8 m, high lobs stay in play, which is why the FIP suggests it for new facilities. Between the two, the building works, and players will feel the roof.
The column grid decides the count
Each court needs about 21 × 11 m with nothing in it. A building with columns every 12 m in one direction and 24 m in the other lines up well with courts. A tighter grid can cost a court, or force a layout that leaves floor unused.
Use the calculator below for a first count, then send us the floor plan with the column positions.
What indoor padel costs
Indoor courts run 20 to 40 percent above outdoor courts before the building, mostly for the frame, lighting and the work around them. In an existing warehouse, the building envelope is already paid for, which is the largest indoor cost.
With Padel Backers, the courts are leased with maintenance included, from $750 a month per court. Building works such as slab repairs, lighting supply, ventilation and permits are quoted separately.
How many padel courts fit in your space?
Enter the clear floor area. Add the clear height if the space is indoors.
4 padel courts fit
2 × 2 grid, courts along the length.
Meets the 8 m (26.2 ft) clear height the FIP suggests for new facilities.
Assumes a 20 × 10 m court plus a 0.5 m strip on every side for posts and access. A windmill or mixed layout can sometimes fit one more court. The site survey sets the final layout.
Get a layout and a quote for this spaceFrom empty building to indoor courts
- 1Before the quote
Building survey
Clear height under every obstruction, column grid, floor condition, power and ventilation.
- 2With the quote
Layout and price
Courts placed around the columns, building works on their own lines, monthly lease for the courts.
- 3Before work starts
Permits
Change of use, fire and accessibility requirements filed with your jurisdiction.
- 4On site
Installation
Floor prepared, enclosures anchored, turf laid, lighting hung out of the clear zone.
Common questions
Not the question you had?
Tell us how many courts and where. You get a quote back, not a brochure.
01What ceiling height do you need for indoor padel?
At least 6 m (19.7 ft) of clear height over the whole court under the FIP rules, and 8 m (26.2 ft) suggested for new facilities. Measure under the lowest beam, light, duct or sprinkler.
02How much space do you need for an indoor padel court?
Plan about 21 × 11 m (69 × 36 ft) of column-free floor per court. Two courts side by side need about 21 × 22 m, four in a row about 21 × 44 m.
03How much does it cost to build an indoor padel court?
Indoor courts cost 20 to 40 percent more than outdoor courts before the building. Reusing a warehouse avoids the building envelope, the largest indoor line. Courts leased from Padel Backers start from $750 a month each, maintenance included.
04Do I need a permit to put padel in a warehouse?
Almost always. A warehouse becoming a sports facility changes its use, which brings fire exit, occupancy and accessibility requirements. The permit path is mapped during the building survey.
Other conversions
- Tennis court to padelOne tennis court takes one padel court as it is, three if widened. Two courts take four.
- Pickleball court to padelFour pickleball courts on a tennis footprint become one padel court as is, three if widened.
- Backyard padel courtA doubles court needs about 69 × 36 ft. A singles court fits narrower lots.
- Padel court dimensionsCourt, net, walls and ceiling height in meters and feet, with a calculator for your space.
Sources
Figures are checked against the sources below on the review date. Your site survey replaces every estimate on this page.
We build your padel court. You pay for it monthly.
Tell us how many courts and where. You get a full quote, with court rent and groundwork shown separately, usually within one business day.