If you are researching how much it costs to build a padel court in the UK, the honest answer is that it depends on far more than the frame and glass. The final price is heavily shaped by the groundworks, drainage, base construction, shock pad, lighting, and the padel astro surface itself.
Many online guides quote a broad number and stop there. In reality, a padel court cost can vary significantly depending on whether it is indoor or outdoor, whether the site needs major groundwork, and whether you are building from scratch or converting an existing tennis court.
At As Good As Grass, we do not install the steel structure or glass walls. We specialise in the part that directly affects how the court performs underfoot and under play: the sports base, drainage, shock pad and padel turf system. This guide breaks down the real UK cost of building a padel court and shows what tends to push the budget up or down.
Quick Answer: In the UK, a full padel court installation typically costs around £45,000 to £80,000+. Outdoor courts usually sit at the lower end, while indoor courts cost more due to structure, lighting and building requirements.
- Outdoor padel court: typically £45,000–£60,000
- Indoor padel court: typically £60,000–£80,000+
- Padel surfacing, base and shock pad package: often £12,000–£25,000 depending on site conditions and specification
The biggest cost variables are usually the groundworks, drainage, structural system, lighting and whether the site already has a suitable base.
Jump to:
- How Much Does a Padel Court Cost?
- Padel Court Cost Breakdown
- What Affects the Cost Most?
- Padel Astro Surface Costs
- Groundworks & Drainage Costs
- Padel vs Tennis Court Cost
- Padel Court Maintenance Costs
- Padel Court FAQs
How Much Does a Padel Court Cost?
For most UK projects, the total cost of building a padel court depends on whether the court is indoor or outdoor, whether the base needs to be built from scratch, and how much of the structural package is included. As a general guide, these are the cost ranges most clubs, schools, developers and private buyers work within:
| Padel Court Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Padel Court | £45,000–£60,000 |
| Indoor Padel Court | £60,000–£80,000+ |
| Double Court (Side-by-Side) | £85,000–£120,000 |
Indoor courts usually cost more because they involve additional building structure, lighting, ventilation, access planning and installation complexity. Outdoor courts are typically cheaper, but the groundwork and drainage still need to be right if the court is going to perform properly year-round.
Looking to install padel astro surfacing? Our team installs complete sports bases, drainage systems and padel turf for clubs and schools across the UK.
Padel Court Cost Breakdown: Where the Money Goes
Padel Court Cost Breakdown: Where the Money Goes
A padel court involves far more engineering than many buyers expect. It is not just a case of laying turf and adding glass. Between the base, drainage, structural alignment, surfacing and lighting, several specialist elements all contribute to the final installation cost.
Here is where the main spend usually sits:
1) Foundations & Ground Preparation (£5,000–£15,000)
This is the most important part of the project. High-impact sports need a stable, well-drained base.
- Excavation & removal of existing surface
- MOT Type 1 base
- Dynamic sports base layer
- Laser-levelled foundation for glass frame alignment
- Drainage installation
2) Padel Court Structure (Glass Walls & Steel Frame) (£20,000–£35,000)
This includes:
- 10–12mm toughened glass
- Powder-coated steel frame
- Fixings, supports & anchoring
AGAG does not install padel frames – we work alongside your chosen installer.
3) Padel Astro Turf System (£4,000–£9,000)
Padel courts typically use a short-pile, sand-dressed synthetic surface designed to deliver predictable ball bounce, controlled grip underfoot and reliable play in different weather conditions. The exact price depends on the product specification, court size, sand requirement and whether it is being supplied only or professionally installed as part of a wider base package.
4) Shock Pad Layer (£2,500–£6,000)
Optional, but increasingly common for added comfort and player safety.
5) Floodlighting (£3,000–£15,000)
Essential for evening play and commercial pay-and-play revenue.
6) Installation Labour (£10,000–£20,000)
Precise alignment is crucial for ball behaviour and safety. Skilled labour makes a major difference.
What Affects the Cost of a Padel Court Most?
If two quotes for a padel court look miles apart, the difference is usually not random. A handful of factors tend to drive the biggest swings in price:
- Indoor vs outdoor build: indoor courts usually cost more because of the surrounding structure, services and access requirements
- Ground conditions: poor drainage, soft ground or significant excavation can increase groundwork costs quickly
- New build vs conversion: reusing an existing tennis base can reduce the overall project cost if the base is sound
- Shock pad specification: some clients include it as standard, while others keep it optional depending on performance goals and budget
- Lighting and extras: floodlights, canopies, fencing changes and access works all add to the final figure
- Surface specification: the padel turf system, sand dressing and finishing details all influence how the court plays and what it costs
This is why a simple headline price only tells part of the story. The real question is what is included in the build and whether the base and surfacing have been designed properly for long-term use.
Padel Astro Surface Costs (Turf Only vs Installed)
Here’s what padel astro systems typically cost in the UK today:
| Surface Type | Supply Only | Installed (with base) |
|---|---|---|
| Padel astro (sand-dressed) | £18–£25 per m² | £40–£70 per m² |
| Padel shock pad | £10–£15 per m² | £25–£40 per m² |
Total padel surfacing package: £12,000–£25,000 depending on sub-base, drainage and shock pad thickness.
Groundworks & Drainage: The Hidden Cost Most Installers Skip
One of the biggest mistakes in padel pricing is underestimating the base. Unlike a simple recreational surface, a padel court has to cope with structural loads from the glass and steel frame as well as repeated sports use. That means the groundwork and drainage need to be engineered properly from the start.
AGAG specialises in:
- Sub-base construction for padel courts
- Drainage systems rated for 60+ litres/m²
- Shock pad installation
- Padel turf laying & finishing
A poorly built base leads to:
- Glass panel misalignment
- Waterlogging
- Uneven bounce
- Reduced court lifespan
Investing properly in groundwork saves thousands later.
Padel Court vs Tennis Court Cost
Many clubs and schools look at existing tennis space when planning new padel facilities. In some cases, reusing part of a tennis base can reduce the cost of a padel project, although that depends entirely on the condition, size and suitability of the existing construction.
Here is a broad cost comparison:
| Court Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Padel court (outdoor) | £45,000–£60,000 |
| Artificial grass tennis court | £50,000–£85,000 |
| Tennis → Padel conversion | £30,000–£50,000 (if base reused) |
Reusing an existing tennis base can reduce padel installation costs significantly.
Padel Court Maintenance Costs
Padel courts are generally cheaper to maintain than large 3G sports pitches, but they are not maintenance-free. Regular brushing, sand management, inspections and occasional repair work all help protect play quality and court lifespan.
Typical ongoing maintenance costs include:
| Maintenance Task | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual brushing & grooming | £300–£600 |
| Sand top-ups | £150–£300 |
| Minor seam repairs | £100–£200 |
For full deep cleaning or resurfacing, see our maintenance & repair services.
Padel Court FAQs
Most clubs, developers and private buyers ask the same core questions when pricing a padel court. Here are the practical answers based on the surfacing, groundwork and sports base projects we support across the UK.
How much does it cost to build a padel court in the UK?
For most projects, a full padel court in the UK costs somewhere in the region of £45,000 to £80,000+. Outdoor courts are usually cheaper than indoor ones, while groundwork, drainage, lighting and structure all influence the final figure.
Why do indoor padel courts cost more?
Indoor padel courts usually cost more because of the surrounding building structure, lighting, ventilation, access requirements and the complexity of the wider installation environment.
Do AGAG install full padel courts?
No – we work alongside padel frame installers. Our role is providing the sports base, drainage, shock pad and padel astro turf. This is the part of the build that helps determine play performance, drainage and long-term court quality.
How long does a padel court surface last?
With proper maintenance, padel astro turf typically lasts around 8 to 12 years, although usage levels, maintenance standards and product specification all affect lifespan.
Can you resurface an old padel court?
Yes – we can replace worn padel turf, add new shock pads, or rebuild failing sub-bases where the existing court is no longer performing properly.
Do you need a shock pad for a padel court?
Not always, but many new courts now include one because it can improve comfort underfoot and help soften play impact. Whether it is necessary depends on the brief, player profile and budget.
How long does padel court installation take?
The surfacing and base works often take around 4 to 7 days, depending on weather, access and site conditions. Structural frame and glass installation are usually handled separately.
Can you convert a tennis court into a padel court?
Sometimes, yes. Reusing an existing tennis base can reduce costs, but only if the construction is sound and suitable for the new padel layout and loading requirements.
Get a Padel Court Surfacing Quote
From padel astro surfacing to full sports base construction, we work with clubs, schools and developers nationwide. Get expert advice and a clear cost breakdown for your project.
