Padel Court Types: Glass Walls, Panoramic Courts, Lights

Every regulation padel court is the same size, 20 m long by 10 m wide, enclosed by 4 m high back walls (3 m of toughened glass topped by 1 m of metal mesh) and side walls that step down toward the net in one of two permitted patterns. What varies is the enclosure: a standard court has steel posts between glass panels; a panoramic court replaces the posts on the back walls with larger glass panes for an unobstructed view; a super-panoramic court removes most posts on the sides too. Courts are also outdoor, covered (a roof, open sides) or indoor (fully enclosed hall), with lighting and surface standards that change how the ball plays. This guide explains each type, the glass that makes them safe, what the directory's "covered" and "indoor" labels mean and how to read a club's courts before you book.

Dimensions and walls

Per the International Padel Federation (FIP) rules as summarised by Bounce's 2026 guide:

• Playing area: 20 m x 10 m (about 65 ft 7 in x 32 ft 10 in). Singles courts are 20 m x 6 m and rare.
• Net: 88 cm high at the centre, 92 cm at the posts.
• Service line: 6.95 m from the net; the area behind it to the back wall is 3.05 m.
• Back walls: 4 m high in total, 3 m of glass with 1 m of mesh fence above.
• Side walls: two FIP variants. Variant one steps from 3 m glass near the back down to 2 m along the middle; variant two uses 3 m glass at each end with mesh rising to 4 m at the corners.
• Free height: FIP minimum 6 m above the court, 8 m recommended for new facilities, with no obstructions (so lobs do not hit a roof beam).

The ball may be played off the glass and the mesh on your own side after bouncing; the padel rules guide covers how. The walls are not decoration; they are the reason padel exists, so their material and layout matter.

The glass

Court glass is toughened (tempered) safety glass. UK LTA construction guidance, as reported by the glass manufacturer trade body Made in Britain, sets a minimum of 10 mm with 12 mm preferred, and 12 mm mandatory for panoramic courts because the larger panes have less frame support. Panels are joined with small steel or acrylic connectors and held in a steel frame.

What this means on court: 12 mm glass gives a slightly firmer, more predictable rebound than 10 mm, and panoramic panes flex less than you might expect because of the thicker glass. A well-built court's glass rebound is consistent across the wall; a cheap one has dead spots near the connectors. If a court "plays slow off the back", that is often the glass, the sand or both.

Standard, panoramic and super-panoramic

Standard. Glass panels about 2 m wide separated by steel posts, with the back walls' posts clearly visible. Lowest cost, most common at older clubs and outdoor municipal courts. The posts interrupt sightlines for spectators but do not affect play much; experienced players use them as reference points.

Panoramic. The back walls are made of fewer, larger panes with the posts removed, so the short ends are almost all glass. More expensive (thicker glass, more careful assembly), more light enters the court, and spectators and cameras get an unobstructed view. Most new US clubs build panoramic.

Super-panoramic. The entire short side and part of the long sides are glass; only the entrance-door section keeps pillars. The most expensive and the standard for showcase courts. Amaranto Idea, a court manufacturer, describes these three tiers and the trade-offs; treat the "best comfort and lowest maintenance" claims as marketing.

For a player, the difference between standard and panoramic is small. For a club, panoramic is a sales feature and a reason for a higher hourly rate.

Outdoor, covered and indoor

Outdoor. Open to the sky. Wind, sun and rain all matter: wind makes lobs unreliable, low sun through the glass is a real problem at certain hours, and rain closes the court (wet turf is slippery and the ball dies). Cheapest to build, so the most common at parks and in warm climates.

Covered. A roof over the court, often a fabric or steel canopy, with open or partially open sides. Keeps rain and direct sun off, allows airflow, still exposed to wind and temperature. In Texas, Florida and Arizona this is the practical format for summer play. The directory's covered filter marks these courts.

Indoor. The court sits in a closed hall with climate control. No weather, consistent lighting, but the hall must meet the 6 m minimum free height (8 m recommended) or lobs become a lottery. Converted warehouses are the usual US indoor venue. Hourly rates are generally higher. Indoor is listed as a fact on venue pages where the club confirms it.

The padel court directory lets you filter by covered courts and shows indoor status and hourly rates where published.

Lighting

FIP requires lighting to be uniform and not to cause vision problems for players, umpires or spectators. For television or filming the standard is at least 1,000 lux vertical illumination. Light fixtures must sit at least 6 m above the ground (8 m for new facilities when they are inside the court's projection), so they do not become an obstruction.

In practice: outdoor courts use four to eight LED floodlights on the corner posts; good ones are evenly lit with no dark band at the back glass. Poor lighting shows up as losing the ball against the back wall or glare off the glass. Lights are usually on a timer or a token; check whether evening bookings include them. Our listings flag lighting where the club publishes it.

Surface

The standard surface is artificial turf with silica sand brushed into the fibres. The sand controls the ball speed and the amount of slide; fresh sand plays fast and firm, heavily worn or compacted sand plays slow and slippery. Some indoor courts use a denser, shorter turf and less sand; a few use hard synthetic surfaces, which change the shoe you need. Turf colour (blue, green, terracotta) is cosmetic. The padel shoes guide explains why the sand dictates the sole.

A court is "fast" when the sand is fresh, the glass is 12 mm and the balls are new; "slow" when any of those is not true. See padel balls explained for the ball's share.

Reading a club's courts before you book

• How many courts, and are they all the same? Mixed clubs often have older standard courts and newer panoramic ones at different rates.
• Covered or indoor? Decides whether a summer afternoon or a rainy evening is playable.
• Lights included? Ask if evening play costs more.
• Free height indoors? If a club does not say, assume lobs will be an issue.
• When was the sand last topped up? Regulars will know.

FAQ

What is a panoramic padel court?

A court whose back walls are made of large glass panes without the steel posts of a standard court, using 12 mm toughened glass. It gives spectators an unobstructed view and lets in more light; play is almost identical.

How thick is padel court glass?

Toughened safety glass, 10 mm minimum with 12 mm preferred under UK LTA guidance, and 12 mm required on panoramic courts.

What is the difference between covered and indoor padel courts?

Covered courts have a roof with open sides, so they stay dry but feel outdoor temperature and some wind. Indoor courts are inside a closed, climate-controlled hall with a minimum 6 m ceiling.

How big is a padel court?

20 m by 10 m, with 4 m high back walls (3 m glass plus 1 m mesh) and a net 88 cm high at the centre.

Sources

• Bounce, "Padel court dimensions" (17 July 2026)
• Made in Britain, "The engineering behind padel courts: safety, strength and durability" (August 2026), citing LTA guidance
• LTA, Padel Court Construction Guidance Note 2025
• Amaranto Idea, "Panoramic padel court" (manufacturer page)