Can You Convert a Tennis Court to a Padel Court?

By the Padel Craft USA team · Published Oct 26, 2026 · 3 min read

The short version: often yes, but not always two padel courts per tennis court. Check the base, the layout and your local rules before you count on a number.

If you own tennis courts that are not busy enough, turning one into padel is one of the first ideas that comes up. It is also one of the most misunderstood, because the headline claim, "two padel courts fit on one tennis court," is only sometimes true.

Does the space work?

A standard fenced tennis court, with run-off, is about 60 x 120 ft (7,200 sq ft). One padel court is 65.6 x 32.8 ft, and about 75.5 x 42.7 ft (roughly 3,200 sq ft) with 5 ft of clearance on each side. By area, two padel courts (about 6,400 sq ft) look like they fit. By layout they are tighter:

Two courts side by side with full clearance need about 80.6 x 75.5 ft. A 60 ft wide tennis enclosure is too narrow without extending it.
Two tennis courts side by side (about 120 x 120 ft) fit three padel courts with full clearance.
If your supplier and local authority accept smaller clearances, a layout of two padel courts on one tennis court may work. Only a site survey settles it.

Rules of thumb vary, so treat any single number with care. Only a site survey settles it.

The base is the make-or-break part

Padel courts need a flat, firm, well-drained base because the frame, glass and turf all sit on it. Many U.S. tennis courts are asphalt or concrete, so you may be able to reuse the base. Three checks come first:

Flatness and condition. Cracks, ponding water and a sloped surface need to be fixed before anything is installed.
Anchoring. Padel structures are bolted down. Many courts are built on post-tensioned concrete, and drilling into one without locating the cables first can damage it. Have the slab scanned, for example with ground-penetrating radar, before anyone drills.
Drainage. Padel turf holds sand infill, and water needs a clear way out.

What else changes

Fencing and walls. Tennis fences come down, and the padel glass and mesh enclosure goes in. Wind is the main design question, because glass walls and mesh catch it.
Lighting. Padel needs its own poles and floodlights, about 19.7 ft (6 m) tall. See our lighting guide.
Net posts and lines. The tennis net and line markings are removed, and the court gets its own net and white lines on turf.
Approvals. Converting an existing court is often simpler than building new, but not always exempt from permits, HOA or board approval. Ask early.

A simple way to start

Measure the enclosure, including usable space outside the fence.
Photograph the surface and ask a contractor to check flatness, cracks and slab type.
Send us the dimensions and location, and we will propose a layout and a quote for your state.

Compare our courts on the specifications page, and see what drives price in our cost guide.

Talk to us about your project

Frequently asked questions

Can a tennis court be converted into a padel court?

Often yes. The existing base may be reusable if it is flat, sound and suitable for anchoring, but fencing, lighting and approvals still change.

How many padel courts fit on a tennis court?

By area, close to two. By layout with full clearances, one tennis court is usually a little too narrow for two, while two tennis courts side by side fit three. A site survey decides.

Is converting cheaper than building new?

It can be, if the base is reusable. Condition of the slab, drainage and local approvals decide whether you save money.

Do I need permits to convert a tennis court?

Often yes. Requirements vary by city, county and community. Ask your local building department and your HOA or board before you start.

Keep reading

Thinking about converting courts?

Send us the dimensions and location of your court. We reply by email.