Padel might look simple — until you realize a single court can cost more than a luxury car. 

When it comes to padel, two things are undeniable: 

1. Padel is an all-inclusive sport, celebrating a rapid surge in popularity. 
2. Despite its popularity, padel is still an expensive sport to play. 

According to one report by SGB Media, by 2027, the total number of padel courts is expected to exceed 81,000. The demand is surely high!

However, padel court costs serve as one major hurdle to enjoying this thrilling game. This high price is the reason why half of the players tend to turn around when it comes to booking a padel court. So, many do wrestle with this question: why is padel so expensive?

In this article, we’ll break things down that will help you understand the real reason behind the expensiveness of padel sport. 

1. Court Construction & Land Costs 

Whether it’s a house, a commercial plaza, or a sports court, the land and construction costs make the top of the list. Likewise, in the case of padel, these costs add to the total cost of playing padel.

Glass, steel, and special turf 

A padel court includes more than just a flat surface with a line. It’s also inclusive of:

• glass walls
• sturdy steel frames
• High-grade padel turf or flooring
• strong foundations

Indoor courts add roofing, ventilation, lighting, and climate control. These extras push costs upward.

Land and permits

In many urban areas, land is pricey. Clubs must buy or lease:

• the land space 
• clear zoning 
• obtain permits 
• deal with building codes 

And together all of this adds layers of cost, making padel expensive.

High Demand/Low Supply 

We know that padel is a sport with a rapid surge in popularity. But then there’s a catch: the demand for padel is high, but the availability of padel courts is not running parallel to this popularity.

Especially in East and Southeast Asia, the countries only have padel courts in major and urban areas. Due to this imbalance, the few padel courts that have been installed charge a high fee to play padel. 

2. Gear That Costs More to Make

Padel gear is an equally important part of padel sport. Without this gear, playing padel is almost impossible. So, here’s a quick breakdown as to how this gear adds up to the total cost of playing padel.

Padel Rackets 

Unlike tennis rackets (which use strings), padel rackets are solid with perforations — stringless. The buildup of a racket is such that it must absorb direct impacts, remain light, and resist shock. That demands the use of advanced materials like carbon fiber or graphene.

Moreover, each racket can go through 50–60 production steps. Often, these steps are executed by skilled labor and not machines, which raises the total costs.

Innovation, R&D, and features

To stand out, brands add innovative features to the rackets, such as: 

• vibration systems 
• multilayer cores 
• shell textures for spin 
• internal reinforcements  

These engineering touches and innovations push pricing higher.

Shipping, import duties, and markups 

Much of the padel equipment and gear is manufactured overseas. When you import them, you pay shipping, customs, taxes, and retailer margins. So, when these costs stack up, they make the sport expensive to play. 

3. Maintenance Costs 

Even after building a court, expenses continue since maintenance of the padel courts is a continuous requirement. 

• Cleaning glass walls and turf 
• Replacing turf or surface sections 
• Lighting and electricity 
• Repairs to steel frames, fences, or drainage 
• Insurance, staff wages, and cleaning 

All of these add recurring costs that clubs often spread across playing fees. 

4. Coaching, Memberships & Services 

Many padel clubs don’t just offer courts, they also offer services like:

• Coaching 
• Training programs 
• Tournaments 
• Lounges 
• Lockers 
• Social spaces 

Hence, a private coaching lesson may cost significantly more than renting courts for playing. Moreover, clubs in premium areas or cities often charge extra for peak hours. These services enrich the experience but also raise the total cost of playing padel regularly. 

5. Branding, Marketing & Profit Margins 

Marketing is the key to getting yourself known. However, it demands a particular investment. Big padel brands invest heavily in marketing, sponsoring players, events, and building their image. Those costs further add to the price of padel sport.

How Can You Enjoy Padel More Affordably?

Understandably, you might think, if padel is so expensive, then why should you play it? So, here’s how you can enjoy this game more affordably:

• Join local padel clubs that offer membership discounts or shared court bookings. 
• Play during off-peak hours when court rates are lower. 
• Split costs with friends by organizing group sessions or doubles matches. 
• Look for community courts or sports complexes that rent courts at subsidized prices. 
• You can buy second-hand equipment or rent rackets and balls instead of purchasing new ones, initially.
• Take advantage of promotions or loyalty programs offered by padel clubs.
• Join padel tournaments or social events that include court time in participation fees.
• Invest in multi-session packages to reduce the per-game cost over time.

Summing Up

Padel’s growing popularity comes with a price, but that cost reflects the quality, infrastructure, and innovation behind the sport. From specialized courts and imported materials to professional padel coaching and limited local availability, each factor adds to its premium appeal.

While it may seem expensive to start, padel offers lasting value — combining fitness, fun, and community like few other sports can. As the game expands and more facilities open, costs are expected to balance out, making padel more accessible to players everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions