UK & US Operators Sound Alarm on Court Safety as Padel Builds Accelerate

As demand surges, operators warn that poorly built courts are creating serious safety risks. With installation quality increasingly overshadowing product specs, UK and US clubs are calling for higher standards, better supplier oversight, and more responsible manufacturing practices.

Operators Say: The Real Risk Isn’t the Sport — It’s the Court

The global boom in padel is hitting a reality check as UK and US operators confront a wave of installation errors, build shortcuts, and structural failures. The debate ignited again after a graphic photo of Carles Puyol’s glass-court injury resurfaced online—an image that has become shorthand for the consequences of inadequate construction.

COO Jeevan Gill (PadelStars) warned that “building cheap courts is a big mistake,” connecting a rise in glass failures to poor groundworks, thin glass panels, and low-grade platforms. Her team now conducts factory audits and in-person vetting of European suppliers to reduce risk.

CEO Andy Knee reinforced the theme: “You need a good quality court and a professional installation.” Many operators agree that the difference between acceptable and dangerous often lies beneath the surface—literally.

Across northern England, Salus Padel’s Waseem Khan sees the same pattern: innovative court designs can’t compensate for poor foundations, drainage, or leveling. Even a 1–2% slope can determine whether a court drains properly or becomes a flooded liability.

With UK courts costing £45k–£85k, operators say the era of cutting corners must end.