How much land do you need to build a padel court in the UK?
A practical guide for landowners, farm shops, and rural venues looking to diversify
As a rural landowner or venue operator, the land you hold is full of opportunity. But when it comes to diversification, not every option is straightforward; planning hurdles, financial risk, and local impact all need careful thought.
Padel Magic UK was founded by a team with decades of experience in sport, land acquisition, rural planning, and construction. We understand the realities of managing land, whether it’s part of a working farm, family-run business, or estate portfolio.
So when we talk about how much space you need to build a padel court, we’re not just thinking about measurements, we’re thinking about planning viability, return on investment, and how it fits into the wider use of your land or existing business.
What’s the Minimum Land Requirement?
A single padel court measures:
20m long × 10m wide = 200m²
But in most cases, you’ll need a bit more than that to allow for:
Safe access routes around the court
Spectator space or fencing
Lighting columns or canopy footings
Ideal footprint: 250–300m² per court
This means you could fit a padel court into the kind of space typically occupied by:
A small paddock
A machinery shed
A disused grain store
A disused hardstanding
A tennis court or netball area
Thinking Bigger? Multi-Court Setups
If you’re planning to create a true community sports hub or padel club, two or more courts will open up more income potential and allow for small competitions, social sessions, and coaching.
Typical land requirements:
2 courts: 600–700m²
3 courts: 850–1,000m²
You’ll also need to factor in parking, changing facilities, and potentially a small clubhouse or café if you want to extend the visitor experience.
What About Using an Existing Barn or Shed?
This is a route we’re actively exploring with many rural clients. If you’ve got an underused or redundant agricultural building with:
An internal height of 6m or more
Adequate access and ventilation
Stable flooring or structural potential
…it may be suitable for indoor padel, especially with planning permission for a change of use.
Not all barns will be viable, but with our background in rural property and development, we can quickly assess suitability and walk you through what upgrades or permissions would be needed.
Key Considerations Beyond Size
Just having enough square metres isn’t enough. We also look at:
Ground condition – Is it level and well-drained?
Site access – Can you get materials in? Is there parking for users?
Visibility – Can it be signposted? Will people find it?
Existing use class or planning constraints – Are you in green belt or AONB?
This is where our experience matters. We don’t just build courts, we help clients navigate these layers of decision-making before a single hole is dug.
Typical Sites That Work Well for Padel:
Farm shops with regular visitor footfall
Campsites or glamping sites looking to enhance guest activity
Golf clubs, equestrian centres, or holiday parks with leisure space
Estates with disused hardstanding or redundant buildings
Venues with a desire to create a community sports offer
Not Sure If You’ve Got Enough Room?
That’s what we’re here for. Padel Magic UK offers free site assessments for landowners. Just send us your postcode, some photos, or a rough measurement, and we’ll let you know:
If it’s feasible
What kind of court(s) would fit
What planning routes are likely
Book a Discovery Call with our team and we can run through it all with you.
