A tennis bubble — also called a tennis dome, air dome for tennis, or tennis air structure — is an inflatable fabric enclosure that converts outdoor tennis courts into an all-weather, year-round indoor facility.
What is a tennis bubble?
A tennis bubble is an air-supported structure designed specifically to cover one or more full-size tennis courts. Modern tennis bubbles are: – Made from PVC-coated polyester membrane (typically 900–1,050 g/m²) – Available in single-skin, double-skin insulated, and triple-skin configurations – Equipped with LED sports lighting, HVAC systems, and pressurised airlocks – Designed for seasonal or permanent operation
Sizing: how large does a tennis bubble need to be?
| Courts | Min. internal width | Min. internal length | Min. ridge height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 court | 15 m (49 ft) | 32 m (105 ft) | 8 m (26 ft) |
| 2 courts | 27 m (89 ft) | 32 m (105 ft) | 8 m (26 ft) |
| 3 courts | 39 m (128 ft) | 32 m (105 ft) | 9 m (30 ft) |
| 4 courts | 51 m (167 ft) | 32 m (105 ft) | 10 m (33 ft) |
| 6 courts | 73 m (240 ft) | 38 m (125 ft) | 11 m (36 ft) |
Tennis bubble cost: what you’ll actually pay
United States (USD)
| Configuration | Approx. footprint | Seasonal bubble | Permanent dome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-court bubble | ~5,000 sq ft | $70,000–$120,000 | $110,000–$200,000 |
| 2-court bubble | ~10,000 sq ft | $130,000–$230,000 | $210,000–$370,000 |
| 3-court bubble | ~14,000 sq ft | $180,000–$320,000 | $290,000–$520,000 |
| 4-court dome | ~21,000 sq ft | $260,000–$460,000 | $420,000–$720,000 |
| 6-court dome | ~30,000 sq ft | $380,000–$680,000 | $610,000–$1,050,000 |
United Kingdom (GBP)
| Configuration | Approx. footprint | Seasonal bubble | Permanent dome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-court bubble | ~900 m² | £95,000–£165,000 | £155,000–£280,000 |
| 4-court dome | ~1,950 m² | £195,000–£350,000 | £315,000–£550,000 |
| 6-court dome | ~2,800 m² | £280,000–£500,000 | £460,000–£800,000 |
Revenue potential: 4-court seasonal bubble (US suburban market)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating months | 6 months (October–March) |
| Gross annual revenue | $165,000–$230,000 |
| Annual operating costs | $45,000–$80,000 |
| Net annual contribution | $85,000–$185,000 |
Payback on a $380,000 dome: approximately 2–4 years.
Operating a tennis bubble: what to expect
- Airlocks: slight pressure sensation on entry — most players adapt within one or two visits.
- Sound: continuous blower hum, typically 55–65 dB at court level.
- Lighting: LED perimeter masts; spec 350–500 lux at court level.
- Temperature: well-specified bubbles maintain 16–20°C indoors in winter.
- Ball flight: minor differences vs outdoors; players adapt quickly.
Specification checklist
- [ ] Internal clear height ≥ 8 m (1–2 courts), ≥ 9 m (3–4 courts), ≥ 11 m (6+ courts)
- [ ] Wind load certification (typically 120–140 km/h for UK)
- [ ] Snow load rating (minimum 50 kg/m² for UK)
- [ ] Fire classification — minimum M2 (FR) in EU, NFPA 701 in US
- [ ] Minimum 2 blower units with automatic failover
- [ ] Lighting: ≥300 lux at court level (recreational), ≥500 lux (coaching/competition)
- [ ] Membrane warranty: minimum 10 years
HeroX AirDomes installs tennis bubbles and multi-court domes across the US, UK, Europe, and the UAE.
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