If you’re planning to build a padel facility, one of the first big decisions you’ll need to make is whether to go for indoor or outdoor padel courts. The right choice depends on your site, your budget, and your business model — and getting it wrong can mean lost revenue or expensive retrofitting down the line.
This guide breaks down the key differences, benefits, and considerations between indoor and outdoor padel courts, so you can choose the best setup for your location and audience.
Questions we get asked ALL THE TIME!
“Are indoor padel courts better?”
“Can you play padel outside in winter?”
“Padel court with canopy vs full enclosure”
“Best structure for padel club UK”
“Padel court ROI indoor vs outdoor”
What’s the Main Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Padel Courts?
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- Outdoor courts are exposed to weather (sometimes with a canopy), built on open land, and generally cheaper to install.
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- Indoor courts are built inside a structure (either purpose-built or retrofitted), allowing for controlled conditions and year-round play.
Both options follow standard court dimensions:
10m x 20m playing area, plus space around for circulation, fencing, and access.
Advantages of Outdoor Padel Courts
Outdoor padel courts are popular for a reason — especially when land is available and the budget is tight.
Key Benefits:
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- Lower construction cost: Typically £35K–£50K per court (depending on canopy, lights, groundworks)
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- Faster planning approval: In some cases, especially on existing leisure land or hotel grounds
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- Easier to phase: Start with 2 courts, expand later
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- Great for visual appeal and atmosphere in parks, hotels, and wellness retreats
Ideal For:
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- Hotel resorts
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- Leisure parks
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- Garden centres
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- Private landowners
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- Summer-season operators
Advantages of Indoor Padel Courts
Indoor padel courts provide consistency, control, and a premium experience — especially important in the UK climate.
Key Benefits:
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- Year-round use: No weather cancellations, better ROI over winter
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- Higher hourly pricing: Indoor facilities often command £5–£10 more per session
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- Premium user experience: More comfort = better retention and repeat bookings
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- Multi-use flexibility: You can add a gym, café, or coworking to create a full club model
Ideal For:
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- Urban warehouse conversions
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- Retail unit redevelopments
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- Multi-sport hubs
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- High-end clubs
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- Corporate wellness facilities
Cost Comparison: Indoor vs Outdoor
| Element | Outdoor Court | Indoor Court (converted) |
|---|---|---|
| Base court build | £35K–£50K | £45K–£60K |
| Canopy/cover | £15K–£30K (optional) | n/a |
| Structure/enclosure | n/a | £100K–£250K+ (depends on unit) |
| Lighting | £3K–£6K | £3K–£6K |
| Planning + acoustic design | Moderate | Higher (especially in urban areas) |
Tip: Outdoor courts are great for quick wins and testing demand. Indoor courts are better for long-term clubs and commercial scale-ups.
What’s Best for Your Site? Key Questions to Ask
Before deciding, consider the following:
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- Is your site exposed to harsh weather or heavy rainfall?
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- If yes, indoor or covered outdoor is safer.
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- Is your site exposed to harsh weather or heavy rainfall?
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- Does your site have an existing structure with 6m+ ceiling height?
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- That’s ideal for indoor courts.
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- Does your site have an existing structure with 6m+ ceiling height?
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- Is planning permission likely to be a challenge?
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- Outdoor courts may face less resistance, especially in mixed-use or rural areas.
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- Is planning permission likely to be a challenge?
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- What’s the competition in your area?
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- If competitors are outdoor-only, an indoor option could give you a USP.
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- What’s the competition in your area?
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- Are you targeting casual users, members, or premium players?
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- Indoor clubs offer more control over customer experience.
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- Are you targeting casual users, members, or premium players?
Conclusion: It Comes Down to Site, Budget, and Vision
If you’ve got clean, flat land with decent weather cover and want a quick build, outdoor courts may be the perfect way to enter the market. But if you’re targeting long-term growth, indoor courts — especially in urban warehouses or vacant retail units — can become serious revenue-generating assets.
Whatever your model, the key is finding the right location and understanding your audience. And if you’re not sure where to start…
Need Help Choosing the Right Format for Your Site?
We specialise in padel facility design, from feasibility studies and planning applications to full architectural packages.
Let’s talk about your site — and which type of court makes the most business sense.
