Planning · Updated 5 October 2026

There is no universal right number of courts. The right number is the one your site, budget and local demand can support. These are the factors we look at.

What limits the number

• Space. Each court is 10 × 20 metres plus safety area. See dimensions and space.
• Budget. Each court adds cost for the court, installation and building area. Use the configurator for the court part.
• Permits. Noise, lighting, parking and building rules can limit the size.
• Demand. The number of players you can realistically attract at peak and off-peak times.

Fixed costs and scale

Rent, staff, reception, heating and software do not grow in proportion to the number of courts. A larger centre can spread these costs over more bookings. But extra courts that sit empty add investment without adding revenue.

Peak vs off-peak

Courts fill up in the evenings and at weekends. The question is how many courts you can fill outside peak hours – through coaching, leagues, schools, corporate groups and memberships. See revenue streams.

Phasing

If your site and permits allow, consider starting with fewer courts and planning space and utilities for more. This lets demand guide the next investment.

Test it in your business plan

Model several court numbers and compare the occupancy needed to break even in each. See the business plan guide.

A way to test the number

For each court count you are considering – for example 2, 4 or 6 – calculate three things: the total investment (courts, building, fit-out), the fixed monthly costs and the occupancy you would need to break even. Then compare that occupancy with what you can realistically sell at peak and off-peak hours. The right number is usually the one where break-even occupancy looks achievable in the cautious scenario, not only in the optimistic one.

What small and large setups tend to mean

• Few courts: lower investment and easier to fill, but fixed costs are spread over fewer bookings and growth options are limited.
• Many courts: better use of fixed costs and more capacity for leagues and events, but higher investment and more empty hours if demand is thin.
• Phased: a starting number with space, power and permits prepared for more, so you add courts when bookings prove demand.

Site and layout limits

Courts are usually arranged in blocks, and the layout – access, circulation, safety areas – may limit the number before demand does. Our configurator shows plan views of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 courts, and the guide to dimensions and space explains the court size and safety area.

Do not size for the peak alone

Evenings and weekends fill first. If you size the centre for those hours only, daytime courts may stay empty. Plan how you will fill off-peak hours: coaching, schools, corporate groups, leagues and memberships. See revenue streams.

Your next step

Model two or three court counts in your business plan and get a firm court price for each option from our configurator.

Frequently asked questions