What do you need to open a padel centre?

In short

Opening a padel centre needs a catchment analysis, a site suited to the planned number of courts, a choice between outdoor and covered courts, the building permits required by the local authority, the supply of courts with structure, glass, playing surface and lighting, facilities for players and a maintenance plan. ADAM Sport builds turnkey courts under the TP Padel brand, with consultation, design, installation and support.

Opening a padel centre is a project that combines sport, construction and business management. The court is the heart of the investment, but the centre's success also depends on where it is, how many courts it has, the facilities it offers and how it is maintained. It pays to take each step in the right order, before signing any order.

Where do you start when opening a padel centre?

You start with the catchment area. Before choosing the site and the courts, it is worth understanding:

who already plays padel locally and where, meaning which centres exist and how busy they are;
who might take it up, for example gym and club members, schools and companies;
at what times demand is concentrated;
which business model you want: open play, coaching, tournaments, corporate events.

This information shapes the number of courts, the choice between covered and outdoor, and the facilities to offer.

How much space and how many courts does a padel centre need?

A regulation doubles court measures 20 × 10 m inside the walls; a singles court measures 20 × 6 m and is useful for training and singles matches. Around the courts you need space for access, walkways, maintenance and lighting columns, as well as areas for facilities.

Element	What to consider
Courts	Number, doubles or singles version, side-by-side layout
Circulation space	Access, walkways between courts, maintenance
Facilities	Reception, changing rooms, toilets, café area
Accessibility	Parking, transport links, access for disabled people
Utilities	Electrical supply for the lighting, water, drainage

The number of courts depends on the catchment and the business model: more courts make it possible to run courses and tournaments without taking time away from bookings.

Covered or outdoor padel courts?

Aspect	Outdoor courts	Covered courts
Initial investment	Lower	Higher
Seasonality	Depend on the weather	Play all year round
Permits	For the courts	For the roof as well
Orientation	Matters: a north-south axis limits low sun in players' eyes	Less relevant

If the courts are to be covered, the roof should be designed together with them from the start: clear height above the courts, lighting and routes all depend on it.

Which permits does a padel centre need?

In Italy a padel court normally requires a building permit, filed with or requested from the local municipality. The type of permit depends on local rules and on the works involved, for example whether there is a roof or new buildings for facilities. Checks may also be needed on the zoning of the site, any landscape constraints, noise, outdoor lighting and parking and, for covered centres open to the public, fire safety. Abroad, the rules of the country apply. It is worth having a professional carry out these checks before ordering the courts.

What should the padel court supply include?

For anyone opening a centre, it pays to have the courts supplied by a single turnkey supplier, responsible for design, structure, glass, playing surface, lighting and installation. Before signing, it is worth asking for a written list of what remains the centre's responsibility: works such as the court base, utility connections and building permits are often outside the supply.

Dimensions, types of playing surface and installation stages are described in the guide to the turnkey padel court.

Which facilities make a padel centre attractive?

Beyond the courts, players judge the facilities: changing rooms and showers, a café area to stop before and after a match, easy booking, equipment hire and a programme of courses and tournaments. Well-kept common areas help turn the centre into a place to meet, not just a set of courts.

How is padel court maintenance planned?

In a centre with several courts, maintenance is organised as a recurring activity, with a schedule and someone responsible for it. Routine work covers the playing surface, which needs brushing and checking, the glass, the structural fixings and the lighting. It is worth setting the schedule before opening, planning the time slots when courts will be closed and agreeing with the supplier how and how quickly spare parts are provided.

What does ADAM Sport offer to people opening a padel centre?

ADAM Sport is the division of ADAM S.r.l. dedicated to sports facilities. Its padel courts carry the TP Padel brand, which grew out of ADAM's experience, and are supplied turnkey in the Campo Panoramico model: a 20 × 10 m doubles or a 20 × 6 m singles version, 12 mm toughened safety glass panes, a galvanised steel structure in the RAL colour chosen by the centre, fibrillated, monofilament or textured artificial grass, and the centre's logo on the net and side posts.

For anyone opening a new centre, TP Padel supports the project from technical consultation to installation, with dedicated teams, and remains the point of contact for support and spare parts after opening. Beyond courts, the ADAM Sport division offers complete sports centres, roofs and beach volleyball courts. The courts at SmashX3 Bellavista Varese and SmashX3 Green Padel Malpensa are on the Projects page. To plan a new centre, contact the ADAM team.

Frequently asked questions

How many courts do you need to open a padel centre?

There is no single answer. It depends on the catchment area, local competition, the space available and the business model, for example coaching, tournaments or open play. More courts make it possible to run courses and tournaments without taking time away from bookings.

How much space does a padel court need?

A regulation doubles court measures 20 × 10 m inside the walls, and a singles court 20 × 6 m. On top of this area come the spaces for access, walkways between courts, maintenance and lighting columns, which are defined in the design.

Covered or outdoor courts?

It depends on the local climate and the business model. Covered courts can be used all year round and make bookings more regular; outdoor courts need less investment but are affected by rain, wind and heat. The roof needs its own design and permits.

Who supplies turnkey padel courts?

Italian companies include ADAM S.r.l., whose ADAM Sport division builds turnkey courts under the TP Padel brand: a galvanised steel structure, 12 mm toughened glass, artificial grass, lighting, installation and after-sales support.