Who this guide is for
- Clubs and operators planning a dual-sport venue
- Developers integrating padel and tennis on one site
- Facility managers balancing two sports
- Anyone scoping a combined facility
Finding the right court mix
How many of each court a site should hold depends on space and intended use. The two sports have different footprints and enclosure needs, so the mix is a design decision rather than a fixed ratio.
A balanced mix lets shared infrastructure serve both well.
Sharing infrastructure
Reception, changing, parking and circulation can serve both sports, which is part of a combined facility's efficiency. Planning these as shared resources keeps the facility coherent.
- Shared reception and check-in
- Shared changing and amenities
- Common parking and arrival
- Circulation linking both sports
Two sports, two play patterns
Padel and tennis attract different sessions, group sizes and rhythms. Layout should let the two coexist without one crowding the other, with sensible separation where needed.
Operations across both
Booking, maintenance and staffing all span the two sports. Planning operations that handle both keeps the facility running smoothly, with maintenance access designed in for each court type.
- Booking that handles both sports
- Maintenance suited to each surface and enclosure
- Staffing and supervision across the site
- Access for upkeep of all courts
Padel and tennis facility planning checklist
- 1Have you considered the right mix of padel and tennis courts?
- 2Have you planned shared reception, changing and parking?
- 3Have you allowed for two different play patterns to coexist?
- 4Does circulation link both sports sensibly?
- 5Have you planned operations that handle both sports?
- 6Have you designed maintenance access for each court type?
- 7Have you confirmed dimensions for both sports with suppliers?
- 8Has specialist work been routed to qualified professionals?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Fixing a court ratio without considering space and use
- Duplicating infrastructure that could be shared
- Letting one sport's play pattern crowd the other
- Overlooking the padel enclosure's distinct needs
- Planning operations for one sport and retrofitting the other
When to involve a professional
- Site, base, drainage and structure should be reviewed and carried out by qualified professionals
- Lighting and the padel enclosure should be designed and installed by qualified professionals
- Layout and circulation should be planned with a designer for both sports
- Official dimensions for each sport should be confirmed with the relevant federation, supplier or designer
- Requirements vary by location and project and may require local review
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
What court mix suits a combined facility?
There is no fixed ratio; it depends on the site's space and intended use. Padel and tennis have different footprints and enclosure needs, so the mix is a design decision best made with a designer who can relate it to your site.
Can padel and tennis share infrastructure?
Yes, and that sharing is much of a combined facility's efficiency. Reception, changing, parking and circulation can serve both sports, so planning them as shared resources keeps the facility coherent and avoids duplicating amenities.
Do the two sports interfere with each other?
They can if layout ignores their different play patterns. Padel and tennis attract different sessions and rhythms, so the layout should let them coexist with sensible separation, preventing one from crowding the other during busy periods.
How does maintenance differ across the two?
Tennis surfaces and the padel enclosure have distinct upkeep needs, so maintenance must suit each. Design maintenance access for both court types and plan operations that handle the different surfaces and the glass-and-mesh enclosure appropriately.
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