Design

Guidance Note

http://www.badminton.ee/failid/061113SpEng1.pdf

Sports Halls: Sizes and Layouts

Sports Halls: Sizes and Layouts

Introduction

Which sports how many courts?

This Guidance Note recommends minimum

dimensions for the design of multi-sports halls.
As well as being the UKs most popular indoor
spor t badminton has the most demanding
requirements f o r a number of
functional elements including lighting and
associated roof structure, background colours
and air velocities. For these reasons the overall
dimensions of the five halls shown are derived
from the optimum arrangement of badminton
cour ts compatible with the minimum spatial
requirements of other indoor sports.

Guidance on selecting a hall size to

accommodate a range of sports at different
levels of play is shown in the table. It covers
the spor ts that require line markings and
confirms the number of courts and pitches for
each size of hall. The table omits spor ts that
need less space for which all the sizes noted
have ample capacity and sufficient clear
height. The abbreviations used denote:

The space required for most games depends

on the standard of play; generally the higher
the standard the larger the space. The playing
area is usually the same size but increased
safety margins and clear height may be
required. For most competition play an extra
zone is required for team benches and an
officials table and a fur ther security zone
between teams and spectators may be
required for major events. Adding these margins
around the playing area produces the critical
overall space the minimum safe area for each
standard of play.
In specialist halls individual requirements,
partic- ularly for sports that need a larger pitch
such as handball, hockey and korfball, may
overrule the modular method in favour of the
key sports critical dimensions. Other factors
which may militate against the modular method
include:

dedicated extra space for example a

sprint chute for indoor athletics

additional spectator seating

where a large hall serves as a regional

sports arena

to adjust to structural and key building

component sizes

non-sports events that require increased

space

where a multi-sports hall is designed for

county or national standard play in one or
more sports.

recreational

practice

club

LD

lower divisions, local league

TD

top divisions, local league

Cy

county

Rg

regional

N
international

national

A few three-court halls have been built, but with

an area only 20% less than four-court halls and
because of the restrictions imposed on most
team g ames they are not considered to
represent value for money. However, threecourt (27 x 18 x 7.6m), two-court (17 x 18 x
6.17.6m), and one-court (10 x 18 x 6.1m)
sports halls are covered in the Guidance Note
Village and Community Halls.

Sports hall structure, lights and division netting

must be aligned between badminton courts.

Sport

Badminton and
short tennis
Basketball

Four-court hall

Six-court hall

Eight-court hall

Nine-court hall

Twelve-court hall

33 x 18 x 7.6m
594m2

33/4 x 27 x 7.6m
918m2

37 x 33/4 x 7.6/9.1m
1221m2

51 x 27 x 7.6/9.1m
1377m2

54 x 33 x 9.1m high
1782m2

Standard of play

Standard of play

Standard of play

Standard of play

Standard of play

C
R

Cy

C
R

Cy

C
R

3
9.1m ht

3/6* 3/6*
9.1m ht

Cy

C
R

Cy

12

6/9*

Gymnastics

2P

3P

Five-a-side
football

1
Mini

1
9m ht

Indoor
hockey

1
Unihoc

Korfball

2P

3P

Netball

2P

1/2P

2P

1/2*

1/2*

Volleyball

1/2P

1/2
10.5m ht

2/3*

1/3
10.5m ht

2/4*

2/3
10.5m ht

Sports hall
athletics

2P

2P

C(LD) C(TD)
2
1

2P

C
R

C(LD)
1

Handball

C(TD) C(TD)
1
1
2P
2P

Cy

C(LD) C(TD)
1/2P 1/3P

C(LD) C(TD)
3
1/2* 1/2*

1
1
9m ht 9m ht
1

1
1
9m ht 9m ht

Notes
* Maximum number of courts, without spectator seating, for preliminary rounds
P Below space standard for competition play recommended by the governing body, but suitable for practice and training
0m
27m

18m
0m

0m

33/4
m
37
m
51
m
54
m

Modular incremental sports hall dimensions.

0m

33m

27m

0m

33/4m 0m

Four-court hall
The critical minimum dimensions for this most
popular size of sports hall are 33 x 18 x 7.6m.
Main structure must always be aligned between
the badminton courts to create four bays. Extra
width can be considered to enable cricket nets
to be hung alongside ra ther than over the
badminton courts and to provide an extended
spectator zone. An extra 1.5m added to the
length and 0.25m to the width allows for a fullsize netball court with side and end margins.

beechwood floor. Preferred positions for door

openings and viewing panels are included
around the perimeter. The netball play area is
shown reduced to allow full safety margins.
Smaller scale diagrams for individual spor ts
are shown later in the Guidance Note. They
provide background on the possibilities and
restrictions inherent in planning multi-purpose
spaces but do not show all line mar kings.
Consult governing body handbooks for this
level of detail.

Notes
A minimum height of 7.6m must be
provided over the whole badminton court
area and 7m minimum for most team
games including basketball and volleyball.

The 33 x 18m dimensions allow four

doubles play badminton courts with a
central division net.

County standard badminton requires a

length of 34.8m and a height of 9.1m.

The 18m width is ideal for several of the

smaller space sports. A full-length fencing
piste, short mat bowls carpet and up to four
table tennis tables can be accommodated
across the width of the hall.

Badminton courts can be central in the hall

or offset to provide a narrow circulation
zone to the entrance side of the hall.

Badminton

Cricket nets

Team games

Trampoline/judo

Table tennis/badminton

Different uses of a four-court hall.

Bagged cricket and hall division netting can

be stowed outside the critical play areas for
most sports but for five-a-side football
which utilises the whole space nets must
be hoisted above shoulder height.
Basketball benefits from an increase in
width to 19m to allow full side margins
or, alternatively, the minimum margins
plus officials space.

The diagram on page 5 shows the full markings

typically used in a four-cour t hall with key
setting out dimensions. Recommended line
colour is shown on a background that denotes
a

Short bowls/gymnastics

34.8m

2.2m

2.0m

2.0m

2.0m

2.2m
21.0m

Spectator zone

An example of enhanced dimensions for county

level badminton also ideal for netball.

1.6m
6.1m

Equal

2.0m
min

Minimum
for bagged
cricket net

Entrance 2

6.1m

Storage

Equal

1.2m 1.2m

Badminton 2

'U' netting track

6.1m

Equal

33.0m
Four bays with beams between courts

1.5m

Badminton 1

Entrance 1

1.5m

Badminton 3

1.5m
min

2.0m
min

6.1m

Equal

1.95m

2.0m
min

1.6m

Badminton 4

18.0m

A 33 x 18 x 7.6m four-court hall.

Six-court hall
The 33/34 x 27 x 7.6/8.4m hall crea tes
two team spor ts z ones or a competition
play area aligned with spectator seating. The
3 + 3 badminton court arrangement is
recommended in preference to the 4 + 2 layout
originally used in this type of hall. The 34m
length provides the required safety margin
behind the badminton cour ts. Fur ther
increases in length will be required for
county standard play.

Notes

Align structure between badminton courts

to provide three full-span bays or introduce
a primary beam across the centre of the
hall.
Division netting is hung between the three
rows of courts. It can also be considered
between two end courts but this zone is
usually designated for retractable seating.

A height of 9.1m and extra length is

required for county standard badminton.

Two standard basketball courts or two

reduced five-a-side football courts can be
laid across the hall with modified D end
markings.

Wider pitches for recreational handball,

hockey and korfball are possible in the
six- court hall as well as more space for
sports hall athletics.

The 4 + 2 badminton court arrangement

requires a four-bay structure to ensure that
lighting and transverse netting accord with
the four primary courts.

In the 4 + 2 layout shown there is

insufficient length to accommodate the full
run-back to end-on courts in the 9m zone.

Large halls can be divided into two or more team

game or competition zones.

9m

Recreational
courts/seating

18m

Competition courts

The traditional 33 x 27m layout gives a longer

competition court for team games but structure
must run between the four primary badminton
courts.

2.0m

2.0m min

17.0m

13.4m

1.05m

1.05m

1.05m

Storage

3.5m

Front
row
seating

28 x 15m county basketball

Court 1
1.5m

Court 2

Court 6
3m min

Two 25 x 14m basketball courts

30.5 x 15.25m county netball

Court 3
Storage

Court 4

Court 5

2.0

2.0m

13.4m

17.0m

6.1m

18.0m

9.0m
27.0m

A 33/34 x 27 x 7.6/8.4m six-court hall. The minimum area for six badminton courts and ball games.

Sports hall activities in order of popularity

Activity

Eight-court hall

Hall visits (%)

Badminton

24.4

Keep fit/aerobics/step/yoga

23.6

Indoor five-a-side football

18.3

Martial arts

6.3

Carpet / mat / short bowls

6.1

The critical dimensions are 37 x 33/4 x 7.6 or

9.1m. This hall can be divided into two full-size
play zones for most sports hall team games.
Height requirements become more demanding
as hall size increases and the environmental
impact of extra high halls has to be weighed
against more restricted use and possible ball
damage in too low a hall.

Gymnastics

3.6

Notes

Basketball

2.3

Netball

2.1

Table tennis

1.9

Dance

1.8

This size is particularly suitable for county

netball and top division basketball. For
netball the court would be marked out to
take advantage of the 37m dimension or,
preferably, width would be increased.

Trampolining

1.8

Indoor hockey

1.6

Tennis/short tennis

1.5

Align structure between badminton courts

to provide four full bays or introduce a
central primary beam.

Roller skating/roller blading

1.2

Indoor cricket

1.0

Four county standard badminton courts can

be marked out or rolled down and require a
clear height of 9.1m.

Multi-sports session

0.7

Racquetball

0.6

Volleyball

0.6

To accommodate a minimum size indoor

hockey pitch, handball or korfball, length
must be increased to 39m.

Boxing

0.4

Archery

0.2

Fencing

0.2

These halls can seat upwards of 1,000

spectators for a table tennis final or for
other sports with limited space requirements. Escape routes from the hall must
take this capacity into account.

Indoor golf

0.1

Roller hockey

0.1

Other in hall

1.1

Invariably, eight-court halls are used for

non-sports events and access for users
and equipment requires extra consideration. An increase in overall area is
sometimes justified.

Base: All sports hall visits.

Note: Percentages add up to more than 100%
as a user could take part in more than one
activity during a visit.
Source: Survey of Sports Halls and
Swimming
Pools in England, Sport England (1999).

Retracted curtains

2.0m

Badminton, short tennis and court hall games as below

2.4m
min

1.5m

1.5m

1.6m
min

37m min

Five-a-side/handball/unihoc/sports hall athletics

18.5m

Storage

Variable 22m max

Storage

18.5m

1.6m
min

Or spectators
Volleyball
Basketball or
badminton as above
Retracted curtains

1.5m min netball

16.5m/17m

16.5m/17m
33m/34m

A 37 x 33/34 x 7.6/9.1m eight-court hall. The minimum area for two full zones for ball games. County
standard badminton courts would align along the hall length.

Spectator seating

Nine-court hall

Spectator requirements should be established

at the outset as seating capacity is a major
deter minant in selecting hall dimensions.
Additional space can often be justified to
increase income or to add flexibility for both
spor ts and non-spor ts events. S pecta
tor provision can take several forms:

This 51 x 27 x 9.1m high hall is suitable for

club standard indoor hockey, handball, korfball
and five- or six-a-side football. Its elongated
dimensions also provide more scope for sports
hall athletics and gymnastics. Spectator
capacity within the hall is limited for long pitch
games when extra width may be considered
worthwhile.

Chairs or benches lined along the side of

the hall and outside the critical overall
sports space.

Casual viewing via glazed screens or a

spectator paddock at hall level.

Retractable units with benching or folddown chairs mounted in recesses or kept in

a separate store. The fold-back units will
have a depth of at least 1m which must be
added to the halls dimensions. Seating
stores should have external access for
delivery and extra high doors may be
required.

Other types of demountable seating stored

on site or hired when required.

The critical factors in specifying seating are to

provide unobstructed viewing and to maintain
spectator safety. Specific provision must be
included for viewing from wheelchairs.

Bleacher seating: mobile pull-out units can be

arranged around different competition court
layouts.

A smaller hall 47m in length would be suitable

for a full-size indoor hockey pitch with 1.5m end
run-outs but does not provide such a spaceefficient layout for badminton.

Notes

Hall area is 11% greater than the eightcourt hall but there is greater sports
capacity and, essentially, space for the
three long pitch games.

Run main structure to divide the hall into

three zones with secondary structure
between badminton courts.

It can provide three to six activity zones with

good access from a circulation route down
the length of one side of the hall.

There is space for six county standard

roll-down badminton courts with seating
for approximately 500 spectators in the
central zone.

The 27m width does restrict flexibility in

laying out the smaller team games and
results in more courts being run lengthwise
down the hall.

Narrower dimensions than for the eightcourt hall can result in a more economical
structural design.

6.1m

2.2m

Full-size hockey

Badminton 1

Storage

Badminton 2

Handball/korfball full-size

1.5m

Storage

Or viewing across end courts approximately

500 spectators. Also five-a-side,
two handball, two or three volleyball etc.
Badminton 4

Badminton 5

Badminton 6

Or: close
together
with more
space one
side of
hall

18m

1.5m

15m

1.5m

51m

Badminton 3

15m

3.0m

6.1m

18 x 27m three-court hall zones

1.5m

6.1m

Inadequate space for seating

2.0m

Wide
access way
1.5m
2.3m
6.1m

2m

6.1m

2m

6.1m

2.5m

Or with minimum 9.1m clear height, county badminton

setting out for roll-down courts
Badminton 7

Badminton 8

Badminton 9

18m

Storage

2.2m

Approximate position of full-size hockey

2.3m
18.0m

9.0m
27.0m

A 51 x 27 x 7.6 / 9.1m nine-court hall for a full-size indoor hockey pitch and other big pitch sports.

Upgrading sports halls

Twelve-court hall

Some spor ts halls built during the past 30

years do not conform to current recommended
dimensions. Increasing the length is sometimes
possible but it is unlikely that the width or clear
height can be economically increased. It is
never wor th spending large sums of money
on upg rading halls of substandard size or
surrounding them with new accommodation. If
they are too small they need to be replaced.

At 54 x 33 x 9.1m this size has the capacity of

a small regional arena, a spectator venue for
local and county level competition. It is a larger
version of the nine-court layout.

The following notes are offered as a guide to

determining the viability of older halls:

Check clear dimensions. Take site

measurements rather than relying on old
drawings then compare with current
recommended standards.

If the hall is undersize determine whether

a revised court layout will permit current
safety and officials zones to be
achieved.

If clear height is significantly compromised

consider a replacement hall as the first
option. Anything below 7m over the
playing area is now regarded as unsuitable
for all but recreational levels of play for
sports with specified height requirements.

Check that safety margins can be met each

side of division netting.

Notes

Three modules of the four-court hall can be

arranged by dividing the length into 18m
(and variable) width zones or two six-court
hall zones.

Primary structure should run between these

zones with secondary structure between
badminton courts.

Extra flexibility is provided by lengthwise

subdivision.

Over 700 seats can be aligned along one

side of the hall for handball, hockey or
korfball spectators and more for other
sports or entertainment events.

An increase in width permits banks of

seating to each side and possibly also to
each end of the competition pitch.

If hall dimensions appear suitable check that

the following fea tures already exist or
can be incorporated:

area elastic floor to conform to BS

4077: Part 4

flush wall surfaces from floor to ceiling

without recesses or projections and with
50% light reflectance

outward opening doors flush with the

surrounding wall surface

compact fluorescent light fittings mounted

between badminton courts.

A first generation sports hall with lighting and

structure that would be difficult to upgrade to meet
current standards.

1.5m

Storage

Approximately
300 seats in nine
rows for big pitch
matches

18m

44 x 22m indoor hockey pitch in an overall area of 50 x 26.2m

Storage

Three county badminton roll-down

courts in both end zones, with 750
seats in this central zone, or
nine courts using each zone

54m

Approximately
175 seats
18m

Three four-court hall zones

each 33 x 18 x 8.4m min
Storage

or
Two zones each 33 x 27m

Approximately
300 seats
in rows
Badminton 2

Badminton 3

Badminton 4

1.2m 1.2m
min min

1.5m

1.5m

18m

Storage

Badminton 1

2.0m
9.0m

27.0m
33.0m

A 54 x 33 x 9.1m twelve-court hall, or the basis for a regional arena. Capacity includes three ball game zones
each of four-court hall size, or divided into two zones of 33 x 27m with plenty of spectator seating for
hockey and centre-court ball games using the whole hall.

Dimensions for individual sports

0.46m

1.5* 2.2m

2.59m

6.1m

1.5* 2.2m

Officials

0.76m

1.98m

3.96m

2.0* 2.3m
(see table)

2.0* 2.3m
(see table)

13.4m

Dimensions of a badminton court.

Recreational /
Club
Minimum height over court

County/
Regional

National /
International

7.6

9.1

9.1

13.4

13.4

13.4

Width

6.1

6.1

6.1

Wall from baseline, min

2.0*

2.3

2.3

Wall from sideline

1.5 min

2.2

2.2

Between parallel courts, min

1.5*

2.0

2.0

Playing area (doubles court)

Length

Minimum overall area

For a single court
For a parallel pair
For each additional court

17.4 x 9.1
17.4 x 16.7
+7.6

18 x 10.5
18 x 18.6
+8.1

*Baseline to division netting 1.5 min; sideline to division netting 1.2 min
Badminton space requirements (m).

18 x 10.5
18 x 18.6
+8.1

0.9m min

Officials

13 15m

1.05 2.05m

1.8m
1.575m

1.05 min
2.05 preferred
24 28m
1.05 min
2.05 preferred

1.05 2.05m

Dimensions of a basketball court.

Recreational /
Club

County/
Regional

National /
International

Playing area
Length

2428

2428

28

Width

1315

1315

15

Out-of-bounds surround

1.05 min

2.05

2.05 min

Extra one side for officials

and team areas
Minimum overall space
Area

0.9 min

3.0

3.0

Height
Basketball space requirements (m).

R: 20.1 x 12.1
C: 30.1 x 18 to
26.1 x 16
R: 6.7
C: 7.0

32.1 x 22.1 to
28.1 x 20.1
7.0

32 x 22.1

7.0

1m min
3.66 4.0m

29.12 33.12m
1m min

1m min

Dimensions for cricket practice.

Minimum

Recommended
maximum

Length

29.12

33.12

Width

3.66

4.0

Height of horizontal top net

4.0

4.5

Safety margin surrounds

1.0

Cricket practice space requirements (m).

18.3 27.4m

Reduced
'D' radius
6.25 6.75m
for narrow,
older halls
Goal

Recessed
goal

1.75m mimimum
from corner to 'D'
30.5 36.5m

Dimensions of a five-a-side football pitch.

1m 1m

Officials, subs bench and sin bin

4.5m

150

3m

Centre line

Goal

1m min

6m

17 20m

6m

4.5m

4m

3m
30 40m
1m min

1m min

Dimensions of a handball court.

Recreational

Club/
County/
Regional

Playing area
Length

30

34.5 40

40 min

Width

17 min

18 20

20

Side margins, min

None

Officials / team bench space,

1.0 additional one side
End margins, min
Minimum overall space
Area
Height
Handball space requirements (m).

32 x 17
6.7 7.6

1.0

National /
International

1.0

1.0
1.0
36.5 42 x 21 23
7.6 9.0

1.0
42 x 23
9.0

1.5m 1.2m
1.5m min

3m

16.75 22m

Officials and team bench

33.5 44m
1.5 3m

1.5 3m

Dimensions of a hockey pitch.

Playing area
Length
44 (including back lines)

Recreational

Club/
County/
Regional

2:1 length/width

36 44 or
33.5

36

1822 or
16.75

1.5 3.0

3.0

Width
18 22
(including 100 x 100mm side boards)
Run out behind back lines

1.5

National /
International

Clearance outside side boards

1.5 min

1.5 min

Officials table and team benches

(additional clearance on one side)
Overall area

1.2

1.2

Height
Hockey space requirements (m).

2:1

3950 x 22.226.2
or 36.5 x 21
No prescribed minimum height

4250 x
22.226.2

2m

2.5m

1 2m

2.5m

Inner dividing line

16 20m

2.5m 2.5m

1 2m

Officials

6.67m

2.5m
32 40m
1 2m

1 2m

Dimensions of a korfball pitch.

Recreational

Club/
Intercounty

National /
International

Playing area
Length

3236 min

3640

40

Width

1618 min

1820 min

20

Side margins
Extra margin for table
and bench
End margins
Minimum overall space
Area
Minimum height
Korfball space requirements (m).

12.0

12.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

34 x 22 to
49 x 22

40 x 22 to
44 x 26

44 x 26

7.0

9.0

9.0

1.5m min 1.5m min

Equal

Equal

Equal

15.25m

Officials and team bench

1.5m min

0.45m
radius

30.5m
2m min

2m min

Dimensions of a netball court.

Recreational

Club

County

Regional
/ National

Playing area
Length

30.5

30.5

30.5

30.5

Width

15.25

15.25

15.25

15.25

1.5*

1.5*

1.5*

1.5 2.0*

1.5 min

1.5

2.0+

2.0+

Margin along sidelines

Extra margin for match tables
and team benches
Margin space behind goal
lines, min
Overall area

34.5 x 18.25

Minimum height
6.77.0
* 2m between parallel undivided courts
+ 3m between end-on courts

2.0+

34.5 x 18.25

34.5 x
19.75 min

7.0 7.6

7.6

2.0+
34.5 x
19.75 20.75
7.6

Note: In standard and undersize sports halls, court size must be reduced to maintain minimum
run- off margins.
Netball space requirements (m).

2 3m
3 5m

Scorer and reserves section

3 5m

9m

0.5 1.0m

3.0m
3 8m

3.0m
18m

3 8m

Dimensions of a volleyball court.

Recreational

Club/
County/
Regional

National

International

18.0

18.0

18.0

18.0

Width

9.0

9.0

9.0

9.0

Backline clear space

3.0

3.0

5.0

8.0

Sideline clear space

3.0

3.0 min

3.0 min

5.0

Officials space

2.0

2.0

3.0

2.0

3.0

Playing area
Length

(additional on one side)

Spectators margin
(additional on the other three sides)

Minimum overall space

Area
Clear height
Volleyball space requirements (m).

24 x 15
7.0

24 x 17
8.0

28 x 19

40 x 25

10.5

12.5

Court markings show up well on this beech floor

and the badminton court zones are clearly defined.

Spor t England aims to lead the development of spor t in England by

influencing and serving the public, private and voluntary sectors. Our aim
is:
more people involved in sport
more places to play sport
more medals through higher standards of performance in sport

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Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. Sport England, its servants
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or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from reliance placed on the material in this publication, or any other
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This guidance and Sport England policies on Lottery funding applications are subject to change from time to time, including
variations required to comply with governmental directions on the application of Lottery funds. Sport England reserves the right to
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There are a number of Guidance Notes on related

matters. A current list is available from:
Sport England Publications
PO Box 255, Wetherby LS23 7LZ
Tel: 0870 5210255. Fax: 0870 5210266
Minicom: 0870 1207405. E-mail (order enquiries
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Sport England is the brand name of the
English Sports Council which is the

distributor of Lottery funds to sport.

 Sport England, February 2000

SE/980/5M/2/00
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Place, London WC1H
0QP Tel: 020 7273
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v.uk
Design concept by GDA Creative Solutions
Produced by NBA Tectonics
Photography by Alastair
Carew-Cox, Alan
Edwards, Charlie Fawell
and Richard Sowersby
Printed in England by Belmont Press

Ref: 980
10
ISBN 1 86078 108 X