Padel Hall: Dimensions, Clear Height and Steel Structure (FIP 2026)
FIP 2026 rules for a padel hall: court, clear height, lighting and out-of-court play zones — with a layout planner for 1–8 courts.
Last checked: 1 Nov 2026 · source: International Padel Federation (FIP) rules, applicable from 1 Jan 2026 · RAKUŠIĆ Corporation
A padel court measures 10 × 20 m inside, and at least 6 m of clear height is required over the entire court. For new facilities FIP recommends 8 m. Nothing may enter that space: no structure, lighting or ductwork. If out-of-court play is allowed, at least 3 m (4 m recommended) must be kept free beside the side exits. A hall for three courts with out-of-court play therefore needs at least about 42 × 24 m of internal space, excluding spectator areas and changing rooms.
What the FIP rules require
| Requirement | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Court (internal) | 10 × 20 m | tolerance 0.5 % |
| End enclosure | 4 m | 3 m wall (glass or solid) + 1 m metal mesh |
| Side enclosure | 3–4 m | two permitted variants |
| Clear height | at least 6 m over the whole court | 8 m recommended for new facilities; no elements in that space |
| Lighting | bottom of floodlights at least 6 m | 8 m recommended for new facilities if above the court |
| Out-of-court play | free area ≥ 3 m (4 m recommended) × 4 m, height ≥ 3 m | beside the side exits, on both sides |
| Court access | 1 or 2 per side | one: 1.05–2.20 m wide · two: 0.72–1.10 m |
| TV broadcasting | ≥ 1000 lx vertical | more with greater camera distance |
Source: FIP, Rules of Padel (applicable from 1 Jan 2026), chapter “The Court”.
Padel hall layout planner
Choose the number of courts and the spacing — the planner calculates the minimum internal hall dimensions from the FIP rules geometry.
- Hall length (internal)
- 42 m
- Hall span (internal)
- 24 m
- Floor area
- 1,008 m²
Clear height above courts: at least 6 m (FIP), 8 m recommended for new facilities — measured to the lowest element: structure, lighting, ventilation
Planner assumptions: courts side by side, 2 m walkway at the court ends, 1.5 m spacing without out-of-court play. Spectator areas, changing rooms, reception and plant rooms are not included. The final layout is set by the designer.
What this means for the steel structure
- Column-free span over the courts. With walkways at the ends, a court needs about 24 m of clear span. Columns can only stand outside the courts and outside the out-of-court play zones.
- Clear height is measured to the lowest element — bottom chord or frame, lighting, ducts or sprinklers. The eaves height therefore depends on roof pitch, beam type and light positions; for 8 m clear the eaves are usually noticeably higher.
- Portal frame or truss. Trusses span further with less steel but are deeper; solid portal frames are shallower but heavier. The choice depends on span, local snow and wind loads, and the overall height allowed by planning rules.
- Loads hung from the roof. Floodlights, acoustic panels and ventilation hang from the roof structure, so their weight and position belong in the design from the start.
Floor slab, lighting, acoustics
Slab: artificial turf needs a flat reinforced-concrete slab, and the glass walls and steel court frame are anchored into it. Flatness tolerances and anchor positions should be agreed with the court manufacturer before pouring.
Lighting: under EN 12193 (sports lighting), lighting manufacturers quote three indoor levels for padel: Class I (top competition) 750 lx, Class II (regional competition) 500 lx and Class III (training and recreation) 300 lx. Rooflights directly above the courts can dazzle players; diffuse or side daylight works better.
Acoustics and condensation: glass walls and ball impacts are loud, so sound-absorbing panels are installed. Insulated sandwich panels reduce condensation and heating costs; plan ventilation together with the structure.
Building permit
A padel hall is a building and needs a building permit under the local building law — in Croatia, Austria and Germany alike. With a span of about 24 m the structural design is usually subject to independent checking. Plan the permit route with the designer early.
Frequently asked questions
How high must a padel hall be?
At least 6 m of clear height over the entire court; FIP recommends 8 m for new facilities, measured to the lowest element including lighting.
How many courts fit in a hall?
Each court takes 10 m of width plus spacing between courts and to the walls. Without out-of-court play (1.5 m spacing) three courts need about 36 × 24 m; with out-of-court play (3 m) about 42 × 24 m. Use the planner above.
What span is needed?
The court is 20 m long, so with end walkways about 24 m of column-free span is needed over the court.
Next step
Rakušić designs, fabricates to EN 1090 and erects prefabricated steel halls with spans of up to 50 m without internal columns. Send an enquiry with the number of courts, location and required clear height (6 or 8 m).
General technical information. The final layout, height and structure are determined by the licensed designer and the court manufacturer under the applicable regulations and competition rules.