SPORT COURTS AND SURFACES over players who have played tennis and racquetball. The court, which can be located either indoors or outdoors, is about one-third of the size of a traditional tennis court. Its highest governing body is the International Padel Federation( FIP), and its national governing body in this country is the United States Padel Association( USPA).
The unique aspect of padel is that the court is surrounded by glass on the ends and a combination of glass and wire mesh on the sides; the ball is often played off both. Other materials are also being used for court construction; some courts, for example, are built outside using concrete block walls instead of glass.
And, say builders, those who are interested in adding it to master plans should waste no time learning more.
“ While we’ re still in the early stages of adoption in the U. S., facilities that want to stay ahead of the curve are already educating themselves about padel to include it in future amenity upgrades,” said Scott Miller of PABU Padel.“ The momentum is building, and it’ s only a matter of time before the sport gains a stronger foothold nationwide.”
There are many different styles of courts, and they are generally sold in kit form to be assembled onsite by an experienced padel court installer. While a majority of court kits have short-pile synthetic turf as a surface, there is no rule in padel that states this is necessary. Other materials used for surfaces include concrete, wood and synthetic materials.
“ Many of the same factors influencing pickleball’ s growth, like its social component and its smaller courts, for example— which also attract former tennis, platform tennis and racquetball players— are helping to grow padel,” said Moxley.
At the same time, padel is attracting players who are curious about other aspects of the sport, such as the ability to play balls off
Photo courtesy of Fast-Dry Courts, Inc. & 10-S Tennis Supply
the side walls of the court( also found in racquetball and squash), as well as making other challenging plays seen in matches contested at the highest levels.
While the U. S. club market was the first to implement padel, the sport is making inroads in other areas.
“ Residential demand is still slow, but growing more and more each year,” said Bradley Piper of Courtex Construction Inc.“ Pickleball facilities have commonly been asking to add padel courts as well.”
It’ s worth noting that the U. S. Tennis Association’ s National Campus in Orlando has added padel courts, as well as pickleball courts, to its tennis facilities, creating a multi-racquet sport community.
If you or your organization are considering a padel court, make sure you( or members of your user group) try the systems you are considering. sportsfieldmanagementonline. com May 2025 | SportsField Management
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