Design · Updated 19 October 2026
In much of Northern Europe, outdoor padel stops when the rain starts. A full sports hall solves that, but it is expensive and often hard to find with the right ceiling height. A canopy – a roof structure over one or more courts – sits in between. It keeps rain off the court and extends the season, at a lower cost than a traditional building.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has published detailed guidance on covered padel courts in its 2025 construction guidance note. Below we summarise the key points, which are useful benchmarks wherever you build.
What is a padel canopy?
According to the LTA, covered structures for padel typically use steel or timber portal frames with a single or double skin membrane roof. Some come fully enclosed with roof and walls, others are open-sided canopies. The supporting legs stand outside the padel enclosure, and sports lighting can often be built into the structure itself.
How high must a canopy be?
Height is the most important design point, because padel players use lobs constantly. The LTA guidance describes two common designs:
| Design | Minimum height |
|---|---|
| Spanning end to end (from one end of the court to the other) | 6 m clear at the court ends, 8 m above the net line |
| Spanning side to side (modular design) | 6 m at the sides, 8 m clear at the highest point above the net |
For elite competition, the LTA notes that a covered court needs at least 8 m of clear height over the net line. The international padel federation (FIP) rules also require a minimum free height of 6 m throughout the court and recommend 8 m for new facilities.
What does a canopy cost?
The LTA publishes indicative UK costs based on 2025 projects, excluding VAT and fees. These include the canopy foundation and drainage plus the canopy itself with a 3 m rain screen:
| Courts | Foundation and drainage | Canopy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £20,000 | £75,000 | £95,000 |
| 2 | £30,000 | £140,000 | £170,000 |
| 3 | £43,000 | £205,000 | £248,000 |
| 4 | £56,000 | £260,000 | £316,000 |
These figures are for the canopy only – the courts and their own foundations come on top. Costs vary a lot with location and ground conditions, so use the table as a guide, not a price.
Five things to check before you order
- Foundations must not clash. The canopy foundations have to avoid the court’s concrete ring beam. Plan both together with one structural engineer.
- Column positions. Columns must not interfere with play, any out-of-court play area or the 1.2 m wheelchair access the LTA recommends. A modular design over a single court is often the affordable option, but needs a larger footprint.
- Rain water. A roof collects a lot of water. In some areas it cannot go straight into drains or soakaways, and attenuation is needed.
- Permits. In the UK, planning approval is needed for a canopy or indoor structure, and building control may also be required. Expect similar rules in most countries – see our guide to permits for a padel centre.
- Durability. The LTA recommends a minimum design life of 15 years for roof and wall membranes and 20 years for the frame, with hot-dip galvanised steel in the UK climate.
Canopy or full building?
A canopy is usually cheaper and faster to build than a hall, and it keeps the open-air feel many players like. A fully enclosed building gives better control over wind, temperature and light, which matters most in cold climates and for evening play in winter. If you are unsure, read our comparison of indoor and outdoor padel courts.
The court itself is the same either way. Our EVO, Full Vision and Tournament courts can be installed outdoors, indoors or under a canopy – you choose the right glass and structure for the setting.
Frequently asked questions
Does Padel Provider supply canopies?
No. We deliver and install padel courts. The canopy, site work, foundations and permits are arranged by you, but we provide the court specifications your canopy supplier needs.
Can I add a canopy to existing outdoor courts later?
Often yes, but the canopy foundations must be designed around the existing court ring beams. Have a structural engineer check the site before you order.
How high should the roof be above a padel court?
FIP rules require at least 6 m of free height over the whole court and recommend 8 m for new facilities. The LTA guidance asks for 8 m above the net line on covered courts.
Sources: LTA, Padel Court Construction Guidance Note 2025 (lta.org.uk); FIP Rules of Padel (padelfip.com).
Planning padel courts?
Send us the number of courts, indoor or outdoor, and your country. We will send you a quote for courts, freight and installation.