“How much does an air dome cost?” is the first question almost every club committee, school bursar, and facility manager asks. It’s a fair question — and the honest answer is that it depends on what you need. A single-court seasonal tennis dome and a multi-pitch permanent football training facility are fundamentally different propositions.

This guide cuts through the complexity. It sets out the realistic cost ranges for each type of sports facility covering, explains what drives the price up or down, breaks down the ongoing running costs, and helps you model the return on investment. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to build a credible budget and a compelling business case.

Capital Costs at a Glance

The table below gives indicative starting prices for each of the three main types of sports facility covering. These are entry-level figures for the most basic configurations — your final cost will depend on size, specification, site conditions, and location.

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

These starting prices typically include the structure itself, the anchorage or foundation system, entry/exit systems (revolving doors or airlocks for air domes, pedestrian doors for framed structures), and basic installation. What they don’t include is explored in the “Hidden Costs” section below.

What Affects the Price?

No two projects are identical. The following factors have the biggest impact on your final cost:

Size

This is the single biggest cost driver. Covering a single tennis court (approximately 18m x 36m) is a fundamentally different proposition from covering four courts or a full-size football training pitch. As a general rule, cost per square metre decreases as the covered area increases, so larger projects benefit from economies of scale.

Membrane Type

For seasonal air domes, you’ll choose between polyethylene (PE) and PVC membranes. PE is the more affordable option with a 10–15 year lifespan. PVC costs more upfront but lasts 20–30 years, making it the better long-term investment for facilities planning to use their dome for many seasons.

For permanent air domes, the membrane specification determines energy performance. Entry-level double-skin systems cost less than the fully insulated A-rated (ECO Ultra) specification, but the energy savings from the premium option often justify the additional investment within a few years.

Anchorage and Foundations

The ground your dome sits on matters. A simple concrete ring beam on good ground is the most cost-effective foundation for air domes. Challenging ground conditions — soft soil, high water table, or rock — may require ground anchors or more extensive groundworks, which increases cost. Framed fabric structures typically require continuous concrete beam foundations.

Access Systems

Air domes require pressure-maintaining entry systems: revolving doors for pedestrian access and airlock vestibules for equipment or wheelchair access. The number and specification of these entries affects cost. Framed structures use standard doors, which are simpler and less expensive.

Climate Control

A seasonal dome with no heating is the lowest-cost option. Adding gas or electric heating increases both capital and running costs. Permanent domes include full HVAC as standard, but the specification level (basic heating versus heat pumps with heat recovery) varies significantly in price.

Site Conditions and Location

Remote sites incur higher delivery and installation costs. Difficult access (narrow lanes, weight restrictions) can add to groundworks expenses. Sites in areas of high wind exposure may require enhanced structural specifications.

Seasonal Air Dome Costs

Seasonal air domes are the most affordable entry point into covered sports facilities. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what you can expect to budget.

Structure and Installation

Optional Extras

• Heating systems: Gas-fired or electric units (200–500kW) add £15,000–£40,000 depending on the size and specification.
• Enhanced lighting: If existing floodlights are insufficient, integrated LED lighting adds £10,000–£25,000.
• Additional access points: Each additional revolving door or airlock adds £5,000–£12,000.
• Storage solution: A purpose-built storage container or shed for off-season membrane storage may be required.

Permanent Air Dome Costs

Permanent air domes represent a larger capital investment but deliver year-round operation and significantly better energy performance. Costs vary with the energy specification chosen.

Structure and Installation

What’s Included

Permanent dome pricing typically includes the double-skin membrane, steel anchorage system, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), professional LED sports lighting, acoustic treatments, smart monitoring systems, and full installation with commissioning. The more you invest in insulation and energy efficiency at the outset, the lower your running costs will be over the structure’s 20–30 year life.

Framed Fabric Structure Costs

Framed fabric structures span a wide price range depending on the structural system and configuration chosen.

Framed structures offer significant configuration flexibility. Open-sided versions with no heating are the most affordable. Adding sliding curtain systems, fixed panels, heating, and professional lighting increases the investment but extends the facility’s usability and revenue potential.

Running Costs

The purchase price is only part of the picture. Ongoing operational costs vary significantly by structure type and should be factored into your business case from the outset.

Seasonal Air Domes

• Electricity (fan units): Seasonal domes run on standard single-phase 240v 13amp supply, consuming approximately 2.5–7.5kW continuously depending on size. Annual electricity costs for fan operation are typically modest.
• Heating (if installed): The largest variable cost. Gas-fired heating for a double tennis court dome can cost several thousand pounds per winter season, depending on usage hours and temperature targets.
• Seasonal management: Professional erection and removal (DomeCycle™) is an annual cost to budget for, though some clubs train their own teams.
• Maintenance: Annual servicing (DomeCare™) covering membrane inspection, fan servicing, and anchorage checks.
• Insurance: Specialist cover is recommended. Premiums are typically reasonable for well-maintained structures.

Permanent Air Domes

• Electricity: Three-phase supply required (100–400A depending on size). Fan units, HVAC, and lighting all contribute to energy consumption.
• Heating and cooling: The specification of your dome has a dramatic impact here. An ECO Ultra (A-rated) dome achieves 50–70% energy savings versus a single-skin alternative, which translates to thousands of pounds saved annually.
• Maintenance: Annual professional inspection (typically 2 days). Lower ongoing costs than seasonal domes as there are no seasonal erection/removal cycles.
• Insurance: Typically 0.3–0.5% of replacement value annually.

Framed Fabric Structures

• Electricity: Minimal if open-sided (lighting only). No fan units or pressurisation systems required — this is a significant cost advantage.
• Heating: Only required if enclosed with curtain or panel systems. Many operate without heating.
• Maintenance: Lowest of all three structure types. No mechanical systems to service. Annual fabric and steelwork inspection is recommended.

The Hidden Costs

When budgeting for a sports facility covering, the structure itself is the headline cost. But several additional items need to be factored in to avoid surprises:

• Groundworks: Foundation preparation, drainage, and any necessary ground improvements. This can range from £10,000 for straightforward sites to significantly more for complex ground conditions.
• Planning application fees: Formal planning applications cost several hundred to several thousand pounds depending on the scale and local authority fees. Pre-application advice adds £100–£1,000+.
• Professional fees: Structural engineers, planning consultants, and architects may be required for larger or more complex projects.
• Services connections: Electrical supply upgrades (particularly for permanent domes requiring three-phase supply), gas connections for heating, and water/drainage may be needed.
• VAT: All prices quoted by suppliers typically exclude VAT at 20%. For many sports clubs and educational institutions, VAT is irrecoverable and adds significantly to the total cost.
• Surface works: If your existing playing surface needs repair or upgrading before the dome is installed, this is an additional cost.
• Ongoing lifecycle costs: Membrane replacement (every 10–30 years depending on type), fan unit replacement (air domes), and door/airlock refurbishment should be factored into your long-term financial model.

Return on Investment

The financial case for covering a sports facility is usually compelling, because a covered facility generates revenue that an uncovered one simply cannot during the winter months.

Typical Payback Periods

Revenue Uplift

The revenue increase from covering a facility can be dramatic. Tennis clubs commonly report gaining six or more additional court-hours per day through the winter months. Golf driving ranges see winter revenue uplifts of 300–400%. Padel facilities in high-demand areas achieve full payback in 24–36 months.

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

Building the Business Case

A strong business case compares the total cost of ownership (capital cost plus running costs over the expected life) against the projected additional revenue. Don’t forget to include less tangible benefits such as improved member retention, enhanced competitive positioning, community impact, and the ability to attract grant funding.

Financing Your Investment

The capital cost of a sports facility covering is a significant investment, but it needn’t come from a single lump sum. There are several routes to funding your project.

Lease Finance

Spreading the cost over 5–10 years through a lease arrangement is one of the most popular options. The dome is treated as an operational expense (appearing on your P&L rather than balance sheet), and the monthly payments are often exceeded by the additional revenue generated — making the investment cash-flow positive from year one.

Hire Purchase

A hire purchase agreement lets you acquire the dome as a capital asset on your balance sheet, with payments spread over an agreed term. At the end of the term, you own the asset outright. This route suits organisations that prefer to build asset value.

Business Loans

Traditional bank finance or specialist sports facility lenders can provide flexible funding tailored to your organisation’s needs and cash-flow patterns.

Grants and External Funding

• Sport England: Various funding programmes for facility improvements that increase participation.
• Football Foundation: Significant funding available for football facility projects meeting their criteria.
• National Lottery: Community-focused funding for projects demonstrating broad participation benefits.
• Local authority grants: Many councils offer capital grants for sports facility improvements.
• Community fundraising: Crowdfunding, sponsorship, and membership levies can contribute to the funding mix.

Many successful projects combine two or more funding sources. Your supplier should be able to advise on the financing options best suited to your organisation type and financial situation.

Building Your Budget

Use this checklist to ensure your budget captures all the key cost elements:

Ask your supplier for a fully itemised quotation that clearly states what is and isn’t included. A reputable supplier will be transparent about costs and help you build a realistic total budget.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to start budgeting for a sports facility covering, here are the practical next steps:

• Get indicative costs: Contact suppliers for budget estimates based on your specific requirements. This costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
• Model your revenue: Work out the additional income a covered facility will generate. Your supplier can help with this.
• Explore financing: Understand the lease, hire purchase, and grant options available to you.
• Visit existing installations: See a dome or fabric structure in person and speak to the operator about their experience.
• Start the planning conversation: A pre-application enquiry to your local authority gives you early feedback and costs relatively little.

Understanding the true cost of a sports facility covering is the foundation of a successful project. With realistic budgeting and the right financing, covering your facility can be one of the most rewarding investments your organisation ever makes.