What Is a Padel Court?
A padel court is the official playing field for the sport of padel, one of the fastest-growing racket sports worldwide. Unlike traditional tennis, padel is played on a smaller enclosed court surrounded by glass walls and steel mesh. These walls are part of the game, as the ball can bounce off them, creating longer rallies and exciting gameplay.
The standard size of a padel court is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, divided by a central net. Courts can be built indoors or outdoors, with artificial turf as the flooring and LED floodlights for night play.
How Is a Padel Court Different From a Tennis Court?
Although padel and tennis share some similarities, their courts are designed very differently:
Size & Dimensions
Padel Court: 20m × 10m, roughly one-third the size of a tennis court.
Tennis Court: 23.77m × 10.97m (doubles), much larger in scale.
Enclosed Walls
Padel: Surrounded by glass panels and metal mesh, allowing the ball to rebound.
Tennis: Open court with no walls, only boundary lines.
Surface
Padel: Usually artificial turf with silica sand for stability and ball bounce.
Tennis: Clay, grass, or hard court surfaces.
Gameplay Impact
Padel: Faster rallies, more strategy, and easier for beginners due to smaller space.
Tennis: Heavier reliance on power and speed, requiring more physical coverage.
Why Padel Courts Are Growing in Popularity
The unique design of padel courts makes the game more accessible, social, and engaging. Because the court is smaller and the rules encourage longer rallies, padel appeals to players of all ages and skill levels. This accessibility is one reason why countries across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas are investing in padel facilities.
A padel court is not just a smaller tennis court — it’s a specialized sports facility designed to make padel dynamic, inclusive, and exciting. From its glass walls to compact dimensions, every element contributes to a fun and strategic game.
If you are considering building a padel court, understanding these differences is the first step toward entering one of the world’s fastest-growing sports markets.
