If you have been quoted by a Spanish brand and then started searching for a campo da padel in Cina at a lower price, you are asking the right question: where does the money actually go, and does a padel court factory in China really build to the same standard?
This article answers that — material by material, process by process — and it does not ask you to take anyone’s word for it.
Tribunale di Pano is a source factory in Hebei, China, the country’s largest steel-pipe production base. We build the same premium specification that high-end Spain padel court makers like MejorSet and Padel Galis use, and below we walk through exactly where the two are identical, where they genuinely differ, and where the real price gap lives.

1. Raw Materials Comparison: China Padel Court vs Spain Padel Court
The materials are governed by international standards, so a properly run padel court factory in China uses the same grades and the same global brands as a MejorSet padel court. The difference is in process discipline and proof — not in the metal itself.
| Componente | Pano Court — China Padel Court | Spain Padel Court (MejorSet / Padel Galis tier) |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Steel | Q355 (GB/T 1591) = S355 (EN 10025), 355 MPa yield min. Mill cert per batch. Test result: 476 MPa tensile / 387 MPa yield (ref. TST2024S00056) | S355 (EN 10025), same 355 MPa minimum. European mill certificates standard at premium tier. |
| Corrosion Protection | Hot-dip galvanizing to ISO 1461 (344 g/m² achieved vs 275 g/m² minimum on recent France project) | Hot-dip galvanizing to EN ISO 1461, same standard and similar coating weights at premium tier |
| Verniciatura a polvere | AkzoNobel Interpon D2 / Jotun, 80–100 µm DFT, UV-resistant, salt-spray tested to ISO 9227. DFT logs supplied per panel. | AkzoNobel Interpon / Jotun or equivalent premium brands — identical product lines, same UV and salt-spray spec. |
| Vetro | 12 mm tempered safety glass, polished edges, EN 12150-1 certified, low optical distortion | 12 mm tempered safety glass, EN 12150-1 — one global standard applies equally |
| Mesh | Hot-dip galvanized welded mesh, 50×50×4 mm, one-piece panels, zero waviness | Hot-dip galvanized welded mesh, same aperture and wire spec at premium tier |
| Hardware | SS304 standard / SS316 for coastal sites. Concealed fixings wherever possible, premium hinges and locks. | SS304 / SS316 at equivalent spec — same global stainless steel grades |
| Artificial Turf | FIP-compliant, monofilament or fibrillated, 8–12 mm pile, certified infill | FIP-compliant turf — same certification requirement |
| LED Lighting | Flicker-free, anti-glare optics, 300–500 lux uniform, DIALux simulation provided pre-production | Similar lux targets and anti-glare spec at premium tier; DIALux simulation common |
Verdict: On a like-for-like premium build, the bill of materials in a campo da padel in Cina and a spain padel court is the same. What you are really buying when you pay more is the cost structure around that material.
2. Manufacturing Process Comparison
| Process Stage | Pano Court — China Padel Court Factory | Spain Padel Court (Premium Tier) |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Cutting | CNC laser cutting for every profile — consistent tolerances, zero manual marking error | CNC cutting standard at premium factories |
| Welding | Robotic welding for repeatable, consistent beads. Welds ground smooth, zero visible defects. One-piece formed sections where possible — no unnecessary splices. | Robotic and semi-automatic welding at premium tier. Weld finishing comparable. |
| Surface Prep | Degreasing → pre-treatment → hot-dip galvanizing (under the colour, not on top of it) → powder coat. Full sequence, no shortcuts. | Same full sequence at premium tier |
| QC Documentation | Mill Test Certificate (batch-matched), galvanizing certificate, powder batch cert, DFT readings panel-by-panel. All sent before balance payment. | Mill certs and finishing certs standard at premium tier. Batch traceability varies by brand. |
| Buyer Oversight | Signed Production Supervision Agreement — buyer written sign-off required at every stage before proceeding. Timestamped photos and videos per stage. | Factory visits possible; stage-by-stage buyer oversight less formalised as standard practice. |
| Third-Party Inspection | SGS or Bureau Veritas arranged at factory on buyer’s behalf. Inspector reports directly to buyer. | Third-party inspection available but less commonly built into the standard buying process |
| Production Capacity | 10,000 m² integrated factory, 500+ court sets per year. Mid-size orders within 30-day window; two full panoramic courts fit one 40HQ container. | Varies by brand. Lead times typically 16–24 weeks at premium tier. |
3. Design & Aesthetics Comparison
A luxury European look comes from a short list of details: hidden bolts and screws wherever structurally possible, a concealed glass-fixing system, flush joints, clean mitred corners, and cable routing run inside the structure instead of clipped to the outside.
| Design Element | Pano Court — China Padel Court | Spain Padel Court (MejorSet / Padel Galis) |
|---|---|---|
| Fixings | Hidden bolts and screws wherever structurally possible. Flush, screw-free external surfaces. | Latest generation uses concealed connection system — excellent aesthetics, clean lines. |
| Glass Fixing | Concealed clamp + neoprene seat + edge gasket. CAD cross-section drawing provided and buyer sign-off required before any steel is cut. | Proprietary concealed glass-fixing systems — design heritage strength. Strong visual result. |
| Corner Finish | Flush joints, clean mitred corners, no gaps at glass-to-frame junction | Refined corner detailing from years of player and club feedback — design heritage |
| Cable Routing | Run inside the structure — no external clips or exposed conduit | Internal routing standard at premium tier |
| Personalizzazione | Full RAL colour range, custom logo/branding on panels, bespoke dimensions for indoor venues, climate-specific surface systems | Good customisation range; fewer bespoke-dimension options at standard lead times |
| Match Samples | Send a MejorSet panel, colour card or finish standard — we cover freight both ways and match it before production | Own brand standard finishes; less common to match a competitor’s specification |
4. Connection Method: Hidden System vs Engineered Bolted Joint
The latest spain padel court generation uses a concealed connection that looks beautiful and tidy, but a traditional, properly engineered bolted joint is more robust and, for many sites, safer. This is one place where “newer” is not automatically “better.”
The hidden connection hides the fixing inside the profile — excellent for looks. But the traditional bolted connection carries load through a larger, fully accessible mechanical interface: it is stiffer under lateral wind load, easier to inspect, and easier to re-torque over the life of the court. For an exposed outdoor club, a rooftop, a coastal site or a high-wind region, that structural margin matters more than a flawless seam.
The Pano Court solution: You do not have to choose. We engineer courts so the joint reads as concealed on the outside — flush, screw-free, European in appearance — while a reinforced bolted connection plate does the structural work on the inside. You get the MejorSet look and the strength of the traditional joint.
5. Price Comparison: What Does a Padel Court Actually Cost?
The price gap is real but it does not come from the materials — it comes from the cost structure around them. The padel court cost difference is roughly 30–40% on identical premium specification.
| Cost Factor | China Padel Court (Pano Court) | Spain Padel Court (Premium Tier) |
|---|---|---|
| Labour & Fabrication | 3–5× lower than EU rates — the primary source of savings | EU labour rates, the largest single cost driver above materials |
| Materials | Same unit cost for Interpon powder, EN glass and SS316 hardware — no material discount, just overhead savings | Same material costs — the difference is what surrounds them |
| Brand & Distribution | Source factory — no distributor margin layer | Multi-tier distribution adds margin at each step for most markets |
| Freight | Comparable — China’s freight infrastructure is mature. Two courts per 40HQ container. | Comparable freight cost; slightly higher per-court rate due to fewer courts per container on some routes |
| Indicative FOB Price (1 standard panoramic court) | USD $28,000–$45,000 (premium spec, full glass panoramic, certified turf, LED) | EUR €45,000–€75,000+ equivalent at MejorSet / Padel Galis tier ex-works |
| Overall Gap | 30–40% lower for identical premium specification. The saving goes back to the buyer — it is not a spec downgrade. | |
6. Warranty, After-Sales & Lead Time Comparison
| Category | Pano Court — China Padel Court | Spain Padel Court (Premium Tier) |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Warranty | 5 anni on structural components, backed by batch-level material documentation | Typically 2–5 years at premium tier, varies by brand |
| Warranty Traceability | Every claim traceable to exact material batch — mill cert, galvanizing cert, powder batch, DFT log all tied to your production run | Batch traceability varies. Premium brands stronger on this; distributor-routed orders less so. |
| Spare Parts | Replacement glass, mesh, hinges, hardware — same production line, original spec and colour. No distributor queue. | Parts available but may route through distributor, extending wait time |
| On-Site Technical Support | Remote supervision by video call as standard; on-site technician support for multi-court projects. As-built component map for fast part identification. | Local technician dispatch possible within days in Europe — genuine advantage in home market |
| Production Lead Time | 30 days standard for mid-size orders | 16–24 weeks typical at MejorSet / Padel Galis premium tier |
| Installazione | Pre-labelled component system cuts on-site labour by est. 30–40%. Crew assembles in sequence against as-built drawing — no problem-solving on the slab. | Higher freight per court; similar site-labour cost; less pre-labelled system structure |
7. Summary Scorecard
| Dimensione | China Padel Court (Pano Court) | Spain Padel Court (Premium Tier) |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Material Grade | ✅ Identical international standard | ✅ Identical international standard |
| Manufacturing Process | ✅ Robotic weld, CNC laser, full HDG | ✅ Equivalent at premium tier |
| Aesthetics & Design | ✅ Concealed fixings, flush finish | ✅ Strong design heritage, refined details |
| Structural Robustness | ✅ Concealed look + engineered bolt inside | ⚠️ Concealed-only systems: aesthetics-led |
| Price (same spec) | ✅ 30–40% lower | ⚠️ Higher overhead & distribution cost |
| Garanzia | ✅ 5 years + full batch traceability | ✅ 2–5 years, varies by brand |
| Tempi di consegna | ✅ 30 days | ⚠️ 16–24 weeks |
| Local On-Site Support | ⚠️ Remote + on-site for large projects | ✅ Technician dispatch within days (Europe) |
| Buyer Oversight Process | ✅ Signed agreement + stage-by-stage sign-off + SGS/BV option | ⚠️ Less formalised as standard |
FAQ:
How Do I Verify a China Padel Court Factory Before I Commit Money?
This is the right thing to be cautious about, and at Pano Court we have built our process so you verify before you pay, not after. Here is exactly how, drawn from how we work with buyers every week.
Step 1 — Photo and Video Portfolio
We provide a full photo and video portfolio of completed installations, with court configurations and locations. You can review real projects from comparable markets and climates before any conversation about payment.
Step 2 — Reference Call with an Existing Trading Partner
We have a trading partner in Canada who has agreed to speak with prospective buyers — we arrange the call at a time that suits you. Speak directly to someone who has been through the process and is using the courts.
Step 3 — Factory Visit
Come in person at any stage. Inspect the production lines, review equipment, and meet the engineering and QC team. We welcome visits from buyers at any stage of evaluation — no pre-commitment required.
Step 4 — Signed Production Supervision Agreement
Before we begin, you sign a Production Supervision Agreement. Every material selection and every process stage requires your written sign-off before we proceed. Nothing moves without your confirmation. This is not standard practice in this industry — we make it standard because it is the right way to work.
Step 5 — Accredited Third-Party Inspection
We arrange SGS or Bureau Veritas at our factory on your behalf. They are fully accredited, they report directly to you, and the fee is modest for the peace of mind it buys. You receive an independent report from an internationally recognised inspection body — not our word, theirs.
Step 6 — Timestamped Production Photos and Videos
At each production stage — laser cutting, welding, hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating — you receive timestamped photos and short videos with DFT thickness readings. You review at your convenience, you confirm in writing, we move to the next step. You are present in the factory without leaving your office.
Step 7 — Sample Match
If you have a MejorSet sample panel, colour card or finish standard you want us to match, send it to us. We cover the freight both ways and produce a matching sample for your approval before production begins. “Concealed fixings” means different things to different factories — we eliminate ambiguity in writing before any steel is cut.
Which step should you start with? A reference call, the project video portfolio, and a signed production-oversight agreement together are usually enough to move forward with confidence. We are happy to start with whichever step is most useful to you.
Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Padel Club Investors in 2026
Il campo da padel in Cina vs spain padel court question is not really about geography. It is about whether the factory you are working with — wherever it is — builds to the same material standard, documents it with the same rigour, and stands behind it with the same warranty.
At the premium tier, a fabbrica cinese di campi da padel like Pano Court delivers the same steel grade, the same glass certification, the same powder brands, the same FIP-compliant turf, and the same structural warranty as the best Spanish manufacturers. The 30–40% cost difference flows entirely from lower fabrication labour and the absence of multi-tier distribution — not from a single specification compromise.
For a club developer opening three courts, that gap funds the fourth court. For a municipality equipping a public sports park, it funds the lighting and the maintenance contract. For a hotel or resort operator, it is the difference between a padel amenity that pays back in three years versus five.
The verification process exists precisely so you do not have to take that on faith. Use it.


