By Mary Helen Sprecher
Heads up, pickleball; there’s a new court sport in town. Padel, which has been growing internationally – and is wildly popular in Spain and Mexico – is spreading across the United States. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s only a matter of time.
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According to the Global Padel Report by Playtomic Powered by Deloitte, interest in the sport (as measured by an uptick in Google searches on the term “padel”) has been surging. That interest is expected to lead to an increase in the construction of padel facilities. The report indicates that by 2026, there will be approximately 85,000 courts worldwide, more than doubling the current figure of 40,000.
“The market for padel is absolutely growing,” said David Moxley of Sportsfield Specialties, Inc., which manufactures the PaDelhi system. “All indicators are that the U.S. is on the cusp of an enormous increase in players, and since padel requires a specific facility, the demand for courts is growing.”
Like pickleball, padel is predominantly played in doubles across a net – and also like pickleball, it is winning 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 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.
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“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.
“As with any major project, choosing the right product and working with experienced professionals is essential for long-term success,” said Jose Manuel Delgado of AFP Courts. “For outdoor padel courts, in particular, it is crucial to ensure compliance with each state’s building codes and regulations. Additionally, the structural design must be properly engineered to withstand local weather conditions, ensuring durability and safety.”
Ask for the names of customers who have the system(s) you’re considering and find out what their experience has been. Have the courts held up well? Have there been any problems? If so, what were they and what was the response of the manufacturer?
Who does the court manufacturer recommend for an installer? Padel courts require specific skills and knowledge to assemble; additionally, special equipment will be needed since each panel of glass can weigh more than 600 pounds and will require careful handling.
When speaking with court manufacturers, ask about shipping costs for systems; make sure you have budgeted properly for those, as well as for all facets of the installation (which may include travel-related fees for crews if contractors are from outside the local area).
Ascertain that all appropriate insurance coverage is in place for the project, and that permitting and other requirements are taken care of. If the system is outdoors and soil testing is needed, establish who is responsible for setting this up and how long it will take.
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Find out what type of a base will be required for the court. Any sports facility requires a level, structurally sound base. A sports-specific contractor with padel experience will be able to recommend the best base for your courts in your area.
There are temporary and portable courts; these feature lighter-weight components; however, they are not designed for long-term use, particularly outdoors. Make sure you have the correct system for your location and the expected amount of play.
Ask whether the court system you are considering comes with lights; if so, will the installer hook those up or should a specialty lighting contractor be used? What type of power supply will be needed? If the court does not come with lights, you’ll need a sports-specific lighting system.
“The most important thing for prospective padel court owners to consider is the quality and durability of the court materials and construction,” said Matt Cross of H2I Group. “A padel court is a significant investment, and using high-quality materials not only enhances the playing experience but also ensures longevity and minimizes maintenance costs over time.”
According to Eric Loftus of Northeast Padel, because the sport is in its formative stages in the United States, it’s possible that those who want padel courts are not aware of the importance of having a contractor who understands the sport and everything that goes into padel court construction. Many of the underlying factors that contribute to the success of a padel facility – such as base construction, drainage and lighting – might be overlooked in the interest of a quick installation.
“Once you have established where your court will be and made certain it is a suitable site, locate a manufacturer with a quality product and find a skilled contractor to do the installation,” Loftus said. “Only by doing this will you achieve the best possible end result.”
Mary Helen Sprecher wrote this article on behalf of the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). For more information, visit www.sportsbuilders.org