It’s the taboo subject of town halls and condominium meetings. Padel may be the king of friendly sports, but it’s fast becoming public enemy number 1 for local residents. At the start of 2026, as the number of track construction projects multiplies, a new independent acoustic study has confirmed what many had feared: yes, padel is intrinsically more harmful than tennis.
But it’s not just a question of volume. The study breaksthrough a much more complex problem. Why is the sound of a Vibora more unbearable than that of a tennis forehand? Breakdown of a phenomenon that is forcing clubs to reinvent themselves.
1. Le Match des Chiffres: What the study says
The study compares a clay tennis court with a standard padel court (conventional glass), located at deuce distance from a house. The results are unequivocal, highlighting three key factors.
| Criteria | Tennis 🎾 | Padel 🎾 |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity (peak) | ~ 70-80 dB | ~ 90-110 dB |
| Typing frequency | 400 to 500 strokes/hour | 1200 to 1400 strokes/hour |
| Type of noise | Muffled, low (stringing) | Dry, high-pitched (carbon) |
The evidence is brutal: on a padel court, you hit the ball three times as often, and the noise is louder. But the real problem lies in the nature of the sound.
2. The anatomy of noise: Why does Padel “scratch” the brain?
Whereas tennis produces a low, dull sound (the famous “ploc”), padel generates an “impulse” sound.
- Carbon/Ball clash: Very stiff EVA foam and carbon snowshoes produce a dry, percussive sound (the “pop”) that travels farther and is perceived as more aggressive by the human ear.
- Glass reverberation: This is the aggravating factor. Glass walls act like resonance walls. Every impact against the glass (and there are many) amplifies the ambient noise.
- Human density: it’s mathematical. On the surface of a tennis court (2 players), you set up three padel courts (12 players). 12 people shouting, cheering and communicating (padel’s tactics). Social noise” is added to “sporting noise”.
3. Psychological impact: repetition as torture
The study highlights an often overlooked aspect: the psychology of noise. The human brain adapts fairly well to continuous background noise (such as a freeway in the distance). On the other hand, it cannot cope with unpredictable, repeated noise.
Padel, with its rapid exchanges, sudden smashes and random shouts of joy, prevents the local resident from “picking up the pace”. It’s this unpredictability that creates stress and complaints, turning peaceful neighbors into anti-padel activists.
4. How can outdoor clubs be saved?
Faced with a growing number of legal disputes (several clubs had to close or reduce their hours in 2025), the industry is getting organized. Padel shouldn’t die, it should adapt.
Silent technologies
Court builders have clearly understood that the future of the market lies in acoustics:
- Acoustic laminated glass: more expensive to buy, it reduces vibrations and muffles the sound of impact against the glass.
- Absorbent tarpaulins: More and more clubs are installing “acoustic tarpaulins” over mesh fences, capable of absorbing up to 20 dB.
- Silent” rackets? Some brands, such as Nox and Head, are working on softer rubber or anti-vibration systems that reduce “chatter” on impact.
Urban planning rethought
The study’s conclusion is clear: building an outdoor padel less than 100 meters from a dwelling without protection is a major strategic error. Town halls now require noise impact studies before issuing permits. The trend for 2026 and beyond is therefore inevitably towards Indoor Padel or Semi-Covered Padel with lateral sound insulation.
Conclusion: The price of growth
This study should not be seen as an attack against padel, but as a necessary warning for its long-term survival. Tennis took decades to become part of the urban landscape. Padel, with its meteoric growth, has burned a hole in the process.
To keep the party going, investors and players will have to accept that silence has a price. It’s better to have slightly more expensive and better insulated tracks, than tracks closed by court order.
Have you ever noticed the difference in sound? Do you think snowshoes should be regulated to make less noise?
