Padel vs Tennis – Which is the Better Investment?

For sports or leisure facility business owners, the choice between installing tennis courts or padel courts can significantly impact your business’s financial performance and operational ease.

Below, we discuss which option may be the better investment for your business, considering aspects such as cost, maintenance, revenue potential, and return on investment (ROI).

TL/DR Table

	Tennis Courts	Padel Courts
Initial Cost	Higher (£40,000 – £70,000 per court)	Lower (£20,000 – £50,000 per court)
Maintenance	Moderate to high, depending on surface	Lower due to smaller size and surface type
Space Requirements	Larger footprint (~668m² per court)	Smaller footprint (~200m² per court)
Revenue Generation	Potentially high but depends on market demand	Growing rapidly, high usage rates
Popularity	Traditional, well-known	Increasingly popular, especially in Europe
ROI Timeframe	Longer, can take 5-10 years to break even	Shorter, typically 3-5 years
Target Audience	Broader but declining in some regions	Younger, dynamic, growing across demographics
Income Per Hour	£10-£40 per hour per court	£25-£50 per hour per court
Planning Permission	Easier to obtain due to simpler structure	More complex, due to enclosed design and lighting concerns
Installation Timeline	6 to 12 weeks depending on conditions	12 to 16 weeks or longer due to custom materials and approvals

Initial Costs: Which Is Cheaper?

Tennis Courts

Tennis courts are generally more expensive to construct than padel courts due to their larger size and the infrastructure required.

Depending on the materials used (e.g., asphalt, clay, grass, or synthetic), the average cost for building a single tennis court in the UK ranges from £40,000 to £70,000, including groundwork, fencing, lighting, and nets.

Padel Courts

Padel courts are notably smaller, requiring less space and infrastructure. On average, the cost to install a padel court ranges from £20,000 to £50,000, depending on the quality of materials, type of lighting, and additional features like glass walls.

The smaller footprint also means padel courts can fit into spaces where a tennis court might not, making it a more affordable option overall.

Verdict:

Padel courts have a lower initial cost, making them more accessible for facility owners with limited budgets or space.

Maintenance: Which Is Easier to Maintain?

Tennis Courts

The maintenance requirements of a tennis court vary based on its surface type. Grass and clay courts require significantly more upkeep than synthetic or asphalt courts.

Regular resurfacing, cleaning, and repairs, especially for clay and grass courts, can add up. The annual maintenance cost of a tennis court can range from £1,500 to £5,000.

Padel Courts

Padel courts are generally easier and cheaper to maintain due to their smaller size and the type of surface used (typically artificial turf or synthetic materials).

The enclosed nature of padel courts also limits weather-related damage. Maintenance costs typically range from £1,000 to £2,000 annually, primarily for resurfacing, cleaning, and checking the structure of the glass walls.

Verdict:

Padel courts are easier and cheaper to maintain, requiring fewer resources and less frequent repairs.

Space and Layout Considerations

Tennis Courts

A standard tennis court, including necessary runoff space, occupies around 668 square metres. Due to this large footprint, tennis courts require more land, which can be a limiting factor for urban locations or smaller facilities.

Padel Courts

In contrast, a padel court takes up only around 200 square metres, allowing you to fit approximately three padel courts in the space of a single tennis court.

This makes padel courts ideal for urban facilities with limited space or those looking to maximise usage by offering more courts.

Verdict:

Padel courts take up significantly less space, allowing for more courts per area and therefore potentially higher income per square metre.

Planning Permission: Why Are Padel Courts Harder to Approve?

Tennis Courts

Tennis courts, being an established feature in many leisure and sports facilities, generally face fewer hurdles when it comes to planning permission.

Since they have a relatively open structure and lower height, they are less likely to raise concerns about visual impact or noise.

Artificial lighting is often required for tennis courts, but this is typically addressed with standard solutions and usually does not complicate the application process too much.

Approval timelines for tennis courts tend to be shorter and more straightforward.

Padel Courts

Padel courts, however, often encounter more challenges in the planning permission process. There are a few reasons for this:

Enclosed Structure

Padel courts are surrounded by 3 to 4-metre-high glass walls and metal fencing, which makes them more visually prominent.

Local planning authorities may have concerns about the aesthetic impact on the area, particularly if the facility is near residential or heritage zones.

These concerns can lead to longer review periods and potentially additional modifications to the court design.

Noise Considerations

The sound of balls rebounding off the glass walls in padel can be more noticeable than in tennis. In residential areas, this can lead to noise pollution concerns.

Local councils may request noise assessments to ensure the courts will not disturb nearby properties, which adds another layer of complexity to the planning application.

Lighting Requirements

Padel courts, especially those intended for evening or year-round use, require high-intensity lighting to illuminate both the enclosed space and the surrounding area.

This can raise concerns about light pollution, particularly in areas where restrictions on outdoor lighting are in place.

Planning authorities may impose conditions on the height and intensity of floodlights, which can extend the approval process and add to costs.

Verdict:

Padel courts face more challenges in gaining planning permission compared to tennis courts due to their enclosed structure, noise considerations, and lighting requirements. These factors often result in longer approval times and more complex applications.

Installation Timeline: How Long Does It Take?

Tennis Courts

Once planning permission is granted, tennis courts can be installed relatively quickly, as the materials required—such as asphalt, synthetic surfaces, or clay—are widely available.

The overall construction time for a tennis court typically ranges from 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the surface type and weather conditions.

Padel Courts

Padel courts, on the other hand, can take longer to install due to the specialised materials required.

The glass panels and reinforced metal fencing used for the enclosure often need to be custom-made or imported, which can add to the lead time. Additionally, any conditions placed on lighting or noise mitigation as part of the planning approval process may further extend the timeline.

As a result, the construction of a padel court can take between 12 and 16 weeks, or even longer in cases where custom materials are required.

Verdict:

Padel courts typically take longer to install than tennis courts, partly due to the more complex planning process and the need for specialised materials.

Revenue Potential: Which Generates More Income?

Tennis Courts

Tennis courts can generate anywhere between £10 and £40 per hour depending on location, demand, and amenities.

However, the sport is increasingly considered traditional and its popularity has seen a slow decline in some regions, meaning it may struggle to consistently attract players in competitive markets.

Padel Courts

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, especially in Europe, with player numbers surging year on year.

Due to its social and accessible nature, padel often sees more frequent bookings, and court hire can range from £25 to £50 per hour depending on the location and demand.

The shorter, faster-paced games also mean higher turnover, allowing you to book more sessions per day compared to tennis.

Verdict:

Padel courts generally have higher revenue potential due to their increasing popularity and more frequent bookings.

Return on Investment (ROI): Which Pays for Itself Quicker?

Tennis Courts

While tennis courts can provide steady income, the ROI can be slower due to the higher initial cost and lower utilisation rates, particularly in markets where tennis is not experiencing growth.

It may take 5-10 years to break even on a tennis court investment, depending on usage and pricing.

Padel Courts

Given their lower initial cost and rising popularity, padel courts typically offer a faster ROI, often within 3-5 years.

The smaller footprint and higher booking rates contribute to a quicker payback period, making padel courts an appealing investment for facility owners seeking quicker returns.

Verdict:

Padel courts have a quicker ROI, with most courts paying for themselves within 3-5 years compared to tennis courts’ longer payback periods.

Popularity and Growth: Which Has a Bigger Market?

Tennis Courts

Tennis is a long-established sport with a loyal following. However, its popularity is relatively stagnant, and in some regions, participation rates are declining as it faces competition from other racquet sports.

Tennis appeals to a wide demographic, but it is perceived as more formal and requires a higher skill level, which can limit casual players.

Padel Courts

Padel, on the other hand, has experienced exponential growth in recent years, particularly in Spain, Italy, and the UK.

The sport’s accessible nature—being easier to pick up and less physically demanding than tennis—means it attracts a broader audience, including younger players and those new to racquet sports.

According to reports from the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), padel is growing rapidly in the UK, with participation increasing by 300% in the last five years.

Verdict:

Padel is experiencing faster growth, making it a sound investment for those looking to capitalise on a booming sport.

Conclusion: Are Padel or Tennis Courts A Better Investment?

For facility owners looking to invest in racquet sports, padel courts offer several key advantages over tennis courts:

• Lower initial costs and easier maintenance.

• Higher revenue potential due to faster-growing popularity and more frequent bookings.

• Faster ROI, typically within 3-5 years.

• Smaller space requirements, enabling more efficient land use.

While tennis courts still have their place in certain markets, padel courts represent a more modern and profitable option in the current leisure and sports facility landscape, especially for businesses aiming to attract a broader and younger audience.