The UK’s unpredictable weather costs sports clubs, schools, and leisure operators thousands of pounds every year in lost bookings, cancelled sessions, and underused facilities. Tennis clubs see their courts sit empty for months over winter. Golf driving ranges experience dramatic seasonal revenue drops. Schools regularly lose PE lessons to rain and wind. Across a market of nearly 2,750 tennis clubs, tens of thousands of football clubs, thousands of golf ranges, and around 30,000 schools, the scale of the problem is enormous.

Yet covering an outdoor facility needn’t mean building a permanent brick-and-steel structure costing millions. The market for sports facility coverings has evolved dramatically, and today there are solutions starting from under £100,000, with options to suit virtually every budget, sport, and site. The vast majority of UK tennis clubs still have no covered courts — Britain has just 1,600 indoor courts nationwide, far fewer per capita than comparable European nations — which means the opportunity for those willing to invest is significant.

This guide is designed to help facility managers, club committees, school bursars, local authority planners, and anyone else considering covering their outdoor sports facilities. It explains the main types of covering available, what each costs, when each makes sense, and what to consider before making a decision.

Why Cover Your Sports Facility?

Before exploring the different types of covering available, it’s worth understanding why so many organisations are choosing to invest. The reasons tend to fall into four categories.

Revenue Protection and Growth

The most compelling argument for covering a facility is financial. An uncovered tennis court in the south of England typically generates revenue for around seven to eight months of the year. Cover it, and you gain significant additional revenue hours per day through winter. For a club running four courts, the additional winter revenue from memberships, coaching, and court hire can be substantial, with many clubs reporting payback within two to three seasons.

Football training facilities face similar economics. When a pitch is waterlogged or frozen, the session is cancelled, the coach is still paid, and the players lose valuable development time. Covered training grounds eliminate this entirely. For golf driving ranges, covering bays can dramatically transform winter revenues, creating twelve-month predictable income from what was previously a heavily seasonal business.

Member Retention and Satisfaction

Sports participation in the UK follows a predictable seasonal pattern: membership enquiries peak in spring and summer, then drop away as the weather deteriorates. Clubs with covered facilities buck this trend. Their members play year-round, stay engaged, and are far less likely to let their membership lapse — covered clubs consistently report stronger member retention. For committee members, there’s also the pride factor: being remembered as the committee that transformed the club is a powerful motivator.

Competitive Advantage

In an increasingly competitive leisure market, having a covered facility is a genuine differentiator. It signals investment, ambition, and a commitment to providing a quality experience. For schools, it can be a factor in parental choice. For clubs, it’s a recruitment tool.

Community and Health Impact

Broader societal trends support investment in covered sports facilities. Government policy increasingly emphasises physical activity and community wellbeing. A facility that operates year-round serves more people, more often — and that matters when applying for grants, planning permission, or community support.

Types of Sports Facility Covering

There are three main categories of sports facility covering available in the UK market. Each has distinct characteristics, and the right choice depends on your budget, your sport, your site, and your operational requirements.

1. Seasonal Air Domes

An air dome (also known as an air-supported structure) is an inflatable membrane held up by slightly pressurised air. Seasonal air domes are designed to be erected in autumn and removed in spring, giving you weather protection through the winter months whilst retaining your outdoor facility in summer.

How They Work

A large membrane (typically polyethylene or PVC-coated polyester) is anchored around the perimeter of your facility and inflated by one or more fan units. The internal air pressure is only marginally higher than outside — typically 50–150 Pascals, barely perceptible to occupants. Entry and exit is through revolving doors or airlock vestibules that maintain the pressure differential. Remarkably, these systems run on standard single-phase 240v 13amp power — the same as a domestic socket.

Key Characteristics

• Installation time: Typically 3–4 days from arrival on site.
• Lifespan: 10–15 years for polyethylene (PE) membranes; 20–30 years for PVC membranes with proper maintenance.
• Light transmission: 40–60% natural daylight for PE membranes (reducing lighting needs); 20–30% for PVC, which offers greater durability.
• Climate control: Heated air systems available; natural ventilation in milder conditions.
• Wind resistance: Certified to withstand winds of up to 100mph.
• Removal: Complete removal in just 4–8 hours with a trained team, for storage over summer.
• Cost range: From approximately £85,000 for a single-court tennis dome.
• Planning permission: Often classified as a temporary structure, which can simplify approvals.

Best Suited For

• Tennis clubs wanting winter coverage but outdoor summer play
• Football training facilities requiring seasonal protection
• Schools needing flexible, multi-use covered space
• Golf driving ranges and practice facilities
• Any facility where summer outdoor use is important

2. Permanent Air Domes

Permanent air domes use the same air-supported technology as seasonal domes but are designed for year-round, 365-day operation. The leading permanent domes use double-skin membrane technology with an insulating air gap, delivering dramatically better energy performance — up to 50–70% energy savings versus single-skin alternatives. They’re equipped with sophisticated climate control, lighting, and acoustic systems.

Key Characteristics

• Installation time: 16–20 weeks from order to operation, with 7–10 days for on-site assembly.
• Lifespan: 20–30 years for the membrane; steel anchorage and foundations last significantly longer.
• Energy performance: Available in tiered energy specifications, up to A-rated (U-value 0.65 W/m²K), making them among the most energy-efficient sports buildings available.
• Wind resistance: Engineered for winds up to 180mph — suitable for the most exposed UK locations.
• Climate control: Full HVAC systems; suitable for temperature-sensitive sports and year-round comfort.
• Cost range: From approximately £150,000 depending on size and specification, rising to £500,000+ for large multi-sport installations.
• Planning permission: Generally requires full planning permission as a permanent structure.

Best Suited For

• Professional sports clubs requiring elite training environments
• Multi-sport leisure centres and community facilities
• Swimming pool covers and aquatic centres
• Facilities in extreme weather locations requiring year-round protection
• Operations where maximum utilisation and consistent conditions are essential

3. Framed Fabric Structures

Framed fabric structures use a rigid steel or timber frame clad with tensioned fabric membrane. Unlike air domes, they don’t rely on air pressure — the frame provides structural integrity. They can be fully enclosed, partially open, or feature sliding curtain sidewall systems for seasonal adaptability. Several frame types are available, including geodesic, compound curve (optimised for padel), steel arch, and timber arch designs.

Key Characteristics

• Installation time: 12–20 weeks from order to completion (including foundations and fabrication).
• Lifespan: 25–40 years for the structure; 20–40 years for the fabric membrane.
• Ventilation: Excellent natural airflow when open-sided; fully controllable when enclosed. No fans or cooling systems are required, which significantly reduces ongoing running costs compared to air domes.
• Cost range: From approximately £72,500 for geodesic structures, from £94,000 for padel-specific compound curve designs, from £150,000 for timber arch structures, and from £180,000 for steel arch structures.
• Planning permission: Required; treated as a permanent structure, though often easier to gain approval as a lightweight structure versus traditional buildings.

Best Suited For

• Padel courts (where the open-sided design suits the sport’s social atmosphere)
• Cricket nets and bowling lanes
• Spectator-facing facilities where visibility and aesthetics matter
• Sites where continuous air pressure operation is impractical
• Multi-use community spaces combining sport with events

Comparing Your Options

The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the three main types of sports facility covering. Use it as a starting point, but bear in mind that every project is different — site conditions, sport requirements, and operational models all influence the final recommendation.

There is no single “best” option. The right choice depends on your priorities. If seasonal flexibility and low upfront cost matter most, a seasonal air dome is hard to beat. If you need a premium, year-round environment for elite sport, a permanent dome delivers. If your sport thrives on open air and spectator engagement, a framed fabric structure may be the answer.

Understanding the Costs

Cost is invariably the first question any facility manager or club treasurer asks. The honest answer is that it varies enormously depending on the size of your facility, the type of covering, your site conditions, and your specification requirements. However, we can provide indicative ranges to help you plan.

Capital Costs

The purchase price of a sports facility covering typically includes the structure itself, foundation or anchoring systems, entry/exit systems (airlocks for air domes, doors for framed structures), and basic installation. Starting prices for each solution type are:

Final costs depend on the size of your facility, specification, site conditions, and location. A single-court tennis dome will sit near the entry level, whilst a multi-court complex or full-size football training pitch will be significantly more. All reputable suppliers will provide a detailed quotation based on your specific requirements.

Note: All prices exclude VAT. Groundworks, planning application fees, and optional extras (heating, lighting, etc.) may be additional.

Running Costs

Beyond the initial purchase, you’ll need to budget for ongoing operational costs. These vary significantly by structure type, size, and specification, so it’s important to get a clear picture from your supplier before committing. The main categories are:

• Electricity (air domes): Fan units run continuously when the dome is inflated, though seasonal domes require remarkably little power — running on standard single-phase 240v supply. Permanent double-skin domes achieve 50–70% energy savings versus single-skin alternatives.
• Heating: Optional for seasonal domes, integrated for permanent domes. Costs depend on the fuel source, insulation level, and your climate zone. Double-skin permanent domes with high-specification insulation (up to A-rated) significantly reduce heating requirements.
• Maintenance: Regular inspections, membrane cleaning, fan servicing, and minor repairs. Most suppliers offer annual maintenance contracts. Framed fabric structures have the lowest ongoing costs as they require no fan units or pressurisation systems.
• Insurance: Specialist cover is available and recommended. Premiums depend on location, structure value, and risk profile. Your supplier should be able to recommend specialist insurers.

As a general rule, seasonal air domes have the lowest running costs, framed fabric structures sit similarly low (with zero fan or pressurisation costs), and permanent air domes are moderate — though their energy efficiency has improved dramatically with modern double-skin technology.

Return on Investment

The financial case for covering a facility is usually compelling. The additional revenue from extended playing hours, winter coaching programmes, reduced member churn, and new booking streams typically outweighs the running costs comfortably. Tennis clubs commonly report payback within two to three seasons. Golf driving ranges often see even faster returns due to the dramatic uplift in winter trading.

Your supplier should be able to help you model the specific return for your facility, taking into account your current utilisation, pricing, and local market conditions.

Planning Permission and Regulations

Planning permission is one of the most common concerns for organisations considering a sports facility covering. The good news is that the process is often more straightforward than people expect, particularly for seasonal structures.

When Do You Need Planning Permission?

As a general rule, any permanent structure requires planning permission from your local authority. This includes permanent air domes and framed fabric structures. Seasonal structures can sometimes be treated differently, but there are important nuances.

• Temporary structures (under 28 days): Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (Schedule 2, Part 4, Class B), temporary use of land for up to 28 days per calendar year generally doesn’t require planning permission. However, a seasonal air dome that’s up for five to six months clearly exceeds this threshold.
• Seasonal air domes: These occupy a genuine grey area in planning law. Class A of the same legislation permits temporary structures “required in connection with operations” without specifying a time limit, which could in theory cover a seasonal dome. However, interpretation varies significantly between local authorities. Some councils have granted consent on the basis that the dome is seasonal and removable. Others require a full application. We strongly recommend seeking a pre-application opinion or, for greater certainty, a Lawful Development Certificate before proceeding.
• Permanent structures: Permanent air domes and framed fabric structures require full planning permission. The statutory determination periods are 8 weeks for minor applications and 13 weeks for major development, though in practice many applications take longer than this.

The Pre-Application Process

We strongly recommend submitting a pre-application enquiry to your local planning authority before committing to a project. Fees vary between councils — typically £100–£1,000+, with more complex applications involving site visits at the upper end — and the process gives you informal feedback on whether your proposal is likely to be supported. It’s a small investment that can save significant time and money.

Key Planning Considerations

When assessing your application, planning officers will typically consider:

• Visual impact: How the structure will look from neighbouring properties, roads, and public spaces. Modern air domes and fabric structures are far more visually sympathetic than their predecessors.
• Noise: Fan units for air domes generate some noise, though modern units are significantly quieter than older models. Your application should address noise impact on neighbours.
• Lighting: If the facility will be lit, light spill onto neighbouring properties may be a concern. Translucent dome membranes glow when lit internally, which some planners raise as an issue.
• Traffic and parking: Additional usage may mean more visitors. You may need to demonstrate that your parking and access arrangements are adequate.
• Hours of operation: Many permissions include conditions on operating hours, particularly if the facility is near residential properties.

Sport England

Sport England is a statutory consultee for any planning application affecting playing field land (defined as a site containing at least one playing pitch of 0.2 hectares or more). They are also an advisory consultee for applications affecting other major sports facilities. They’ll want to be satisfied that the covering doesn’t reduce the overall quantity or quality of sports provision. In practice, covering a facility generally enhances provision — Sport England reports that 94% of playing field applications result in protection or improvement — but early engagement is advisable.

Sport-Specific Considerations

Different sports have different requirements when it comes to facility coverings. Here’s a brief overview of the key considerations for the most popular sports.

Tennis

Tennis is the most common sport for facility coverings in the UK, and for good reason. With around 5.6 million adults playing annually and nearly 2,750 registered clubs, tennis is fundamentally a year-round sport — but the British weather compresses the playing season into six or seven months. Covering courts extends this to twelve months and transforms the club’s financial model.

• Preferred covering: Seasonal air domes are the most popular choice for tennis clubs, offering winter protection with summer outdoor play. Framed fabric structures suit clubs wanting a permanent covered solution.
• Height requirements: The LTA specifies a minimum clear height of 9 metres above the net. Higher clearances may be required for competition play — check current LTA facility guidance for your specific requirements.
• Surface considerations: Most covering types work with all standard tennis surfaces. Ensure the anchoring system doesn’t damage your court surface.
• Lighting: Many seasonal domes use the existing floodlighting, which shines through the translucent membrane. Permanent structures typically require integrated lighting.

Football

Covered football training facilities have become increasingly common at professional and semi-professional level, and are now growing in the grassroots and education sectors.

• Preferred covering: Air domes (seasonal or permanent) are the standard for football training facilities due to the large spans required.
• Size: A full-size 3G pitch dome is a major undertaking. Many clubs opt to cover a smaller training area or half-pitch.
• Surface: 3G artificial turf is the norm for covered football facilities. The dome protects the surface from weather degradation, extending its lifespan.
• Ventilation: Larger football domes require careful attention to air circulation and temperature management, particularly during intensive training sessions.

Padel

Padel is the fastest-growing racquet sport in the UK, with court numbers growing roughly 600% since 2019 to surpass 1,000 operational courts. The LTA’s formal adoption of padel governance has accelerated investment, and new facilities continue to open at pace. The sport’s unique characteristics make framed fabric structures, particularly compound curve designs, the preferred covering type.

• Preferred covering: Framed fabric structures with open or partially open sides. The social, spectator-friendly nature of padel suits open-sided designs. Air domes are not typically used for padel due to the court’s glass walls and structural requirements.
• Court dimensions: Standard padel courts are 20m x 10m, and are typically installed in clusters of two to four courts.
• Ventilation: Open-sided structures provide excellent natural ventilation, which padel players strongly prefer.

Golf

Golf driving ranges and practice facilities are an emerging market for air domes, providing year-round practice regardless of weather.

• Preferred covering: Seasonal air domes for driving ranges; framed canopies for covered bays.
• Height requirements: Sufficient height for full swing and ball flight is essential. Requirements vary depending on whether you are covering individual bays or a full open-flight range — discuss with your supplier.
• Ball containment: The dome membrane acts as a natural ball stop, but impact protection may be needed in high-traffic areas.

Education

With around 30,000 schools and more than 260 higher education institutions across the UK, education represents a growing market for sports facility coverings. A covered multi-use games area (MUGA) or sports hall alternative provides enormous value for PE departments, after-school clubs, and community lettings.

• Preferred covering: Seasonal air domes offer the best value proposition for schools, with low capital cost and the ability to remove the structure during summer.
• Multi-sport flexibility: School domes typically need to accommodate multiple sports — tennis, netball, basketball, badminton, and football — so height and floor markings are important considerations.
• Safeguarding: Schools have specific requirements around supervised access, emergency exits, and visibility. These must be factored into the design.
• Community use: Many school domes generate significant evening and weekend revenue through community lettings, helping to justify the investment.

Maintenance and Lifecycle

A well-maintained sports facility covering will deliver decades of reliable service. Neglect it, and problems accumulate. Here’s what to expect in terms of ongoing care.

Routine Maintenance

• Membrane cleaning: Air dome membranes should be cleaned at least once or twice per year to maintain light transmission and prevent algae or dirt build-up. Specialist cleaning services are available.
• Fan unit servicing: The inflation fans are the heart of an air dome. They should be serviced annually, with filters cleaned or replaced regularly.
• Anchorage inspections: Check anchor points, base plates, and tension cables periodically for wear, corrosion, or movement.
• Fabric inspections: Look for signs of wear, abrasion, or UV degradation. Small repairs are straightforward if caught early.
• Door and airlock systems: Revolving doors and airlock vestibules need regular servicing to maintain the pressure seal.

Seasonal Operations (Seasonal Domes)

For seasonal air domes, the annual cycle of erection and removal is a key part of the maintenance regime.

• Autumn erection: Typically September to October. The membrane is unfolded, connected to anchorages, and inflated. A professional team can complete this in 3–4 days.
• Spring removal: Typically March to April. A trained team can complete removal in just 4–8 hours. The dome is deflated, folded, and stored. Proper folding and storage are essential to prevent membrane damage.
• Storage: The membrane should be stored clean, dry, and folded correctly in a suitable storage facility. Poor storage is one of the most common causes of premature membrane failure.

Lifecycle Costs

Over the life of your structure, you should plan for the following major items. Your supplier can provide specific costings as part of their proposal:

• Membrane replacement: PE membranes typically last 10–15 years; PVC membranes 20–30 years. Replacement cost is a significant proportion of the original purchase price, so membrane choice is a key long-term decision.
• Fan unit replacement (air domes): Fan units are the mechanical heart of an air dome and will need replacing during the structure’s lifetime. Regular servicing extends their life considerably.
• Airlock and door refurbishment: Entry systems experience the most wear and tear. Budget for periodic refurbishment or replacement.
• Annual maintenance: A professional maintenance contract is strongly recommended. It protects your investment and ensures small issues are caught before they become costly problems.

Making Your Decision

Choosing the right sports facility covering is a significant decision. Here’s a framework to help you work through it systematically.

1. Define Your Requirements

   Which sport(s) will the facility serve? Do you need year-round coverage or seasonal protection? What is your capital budget? What ongoing revenue will the covered facility generate? Are there specific planning or site constraints?

2. Assess Your Options

   Based on your requirements, one or two of the three main structure types will likely emerge as front-runners. Use the comparison table in this guide to narrow your options.

3. Engage Specialists Early

   The best projects start with early engagement between the facility operator and the covering supplier. A good supplier will visit your site, understand your requirements, and provide honest advice — including telling you if a particular solution isn’t right for your situation.

4. Plan Your Funding

   Consider all available funding routes: capital reserves, bank finance, supplier financing, grants (Sport England, local authority, National Lottery), and community fundraising. Many projects use a combination.

5. Apply for Planning Permission

   If required, submit your planning application early. It’s often the longest lead-time item in the project. Use the pre-application process and engage with Sport England if your site involves playing fields.

6. Prepare Your Members and Community

   A covered facility changes the character of a site. Engage your members, parents, neighbours, and community early. Explain the benefits, address concerns, and build support. This also strengthens your planning application.

Next Steps

If you’re considering covering your sports facility, here are some practical next steps:

Covering your sports facility is one of the most impactful investments you can make. It transforms usage, protects revenue, and ensures that weather never cancels the game.