Sports Hall: Dimensions and Clear Height for Handball, Basketball and Volleyball
Dimensions and clear height from the official IHF, FIBA and FIVB rules plus standard DIN 18032 halls — with a planner for each sport.
Last checked: 1 Nov 2026 · sources: official IHF, FIBA and FIVB rules and DIN 18032 · RAKUŠIĆ Corporation
Handball needs at least 22 × 44 m of internal space: a 40 × 20 m court plus a safety zone of 1 m along the side lines and 2 m behind the goal lines. Basketball (28 × 15 m court) and volleyball (18 × 9 m) require at least 7 m of clear height to the lowest element above the court — 12.5 m for official FIVB volleyball competitions. The German sports hall standard DIN 18032 derives three standard sizes: 15 × 27 m (5.5 m high), 22 × 44/45 m and 27 × 45 m (7 m high).
Dimensions from the official rules
| Sport | Court | Zone around the court | Clear height | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handball | 40 × 20 m | ≥ 1 m at the sides, ≥ 2 m behind the goal lines | not specified | IHF Rules of the Game, rule 1:1 |
| Basketball | 28 × 15 m | spectators ≥ 2 m from the boundary line (FIBA competitions) | ≥ 7 m to the lowest obstruction | FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 |
| Volleyball | 18 × 9 m | ≥ 3 m on all sides | ≥ 7 m | FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028 |
| Volleyball — FIVB official competitions | 18 × 9 m | 5 m at the sides, 6.5 m behind the end lines | ≥ 12.5 m | FIVB 2025–2028 |
Sources: IHF Rules of the Game, FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 – Equipment, FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028.
Standard hall sizes (DIN 18032)
| Hall type | Clear dimensions | Clear height | Divisible into |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 15 × 27 m | 5.5 m | — |
| Double | 22 × 44 m or 22 × 45 m | 7 m | 2 parts |
| Triple | 27 × 45 m | 7 m | 3 parts |
Dimensions are clear, from impact wall to impact wall. Source: Berlin Senate, Planungshandbuch Fachraum Sport (2018).
Which hall for which sport
Choose a sport or hall type — minimum internal dimensions and clear height from the official rules.
- Minimum internal dimensions
- 44 × 22 m
- Clear height
- 7 m
- Area
- 968 m²
Court 40 × 20 m + safety zone ≥ 1 m along the side lines and ≥ 2 m behind the goal lines. IHF sets no height — 7 m is the clear height of a double/triple hall under DIN 18032.
Sources: IHF Rules of the Game (2022), FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028, DIN 18032 as given in the Berlin school sports hall planning manual (2018). Clear height is measured to the lowest element (structure, lighting, backboard, curtain).
What this means for the steel structure
- Column-free span of 22–27 m across the full hall width; columns stand in the walls, outside courts and zones.
- Clear height is measured to the lowest element — bottom chord, lighting, raisable backboards, dividing curtains, ductwork. For 7 m clear the eaves are usually noticeably higher, depending on roof pitch and beam type.
- Loads hung from the roof: raisable basketball units, dividing curtains, lighting and PA hang from the roof structure — include their weight and position in the design from the start.
- Frame or truss: trusses span 25–30 m with less steel but are deeper; solid frames are shallower but heavier. Span, local snow and wind, and the permitted overall height decide.
Also plan for
- Ball impact: lighting, glazing and fittings must withstand ball strikes — protective grilles and suitable equipment.
- Acoustics: large halls echo; sound-absorbing ceiling and wall linings belong in the design.
- Floor: the sports floor is planned together with the slab and heating.
- Insulation and condensation: heated halls need an insulated envelope and well-planned ventilation.
- Ancillary rooms: equipment stores, changing rooms, toilets and seating are added to the hall footprint.
Building permit
A sports hall is a building and needs a building permit under the local building law; with spans of 22–27 m the structural design is usually independently checked, and public halls must meet accessibility rules.
Frequently asked questions
How big must a handball hall be?
At least 22 × 44 m inside: a 40 × 20 m court with a safety zone of at least 1 m at the sides and 2 m behind the goal lines (IHF) — a double hall under DIN 18032.
How high must a sports hall be?
For basketball and volleyball at least 7 m to the lowest element above the court (FIBA, FIVB); 12.5 m for official FIVB volleyball competitions. A single school hall under DIN 18032 has 5.5 m.
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 sport, number of courts and location.
General technical information. Final dimensions, height and structure are set by the licensed designer under the applicable regulations and the competition rules the hall is built for.