Badminton: courts, shuttles and finding partners
Badminton is fast, cheap to start and played indoors all year. Courts in sports halls are often booked by clubs, so knowing when to look and how to join a session makes the difference.
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How it's played
- Singles or doubles on a 13.4 × 6.1 m court with the net at 1.55 m. Rally scoring to 21 points, win by two, best of three games.
- The serve is diagonal and must be struck below the waist; in doubles the service court is shorter and wider than in singles.
- The shuttle must not touch the floor; rallies are won with clears, drops, smashes and net play.
What you need
- Racket: light graphite racket; beginners should pick a flexible shaft.
- Shuttlecocks: plastic (nylon) shuttles for practice and casual games, feather shuttles for competition – feathers break quickly.
- Non-marking indoor court shoes with good grip; running shoes slide and mark the floor.
How to find a court near you
- Courts are in municipal sports halls, school gyms, leisure centres and badminton clubs. Halls usually mark four to eight courts.
- Check net height, floor type (sprung wood or synthetic), lighting and ceiling height (low ceilings ruin clears), and whether the hall rents rackets.
- Club nights and “pay and play” sessions are the best way to find regular partners.
- In Sparrio, filter by badminton to find halls near you and request a court; post a partner request for singles or doubles.
Booking tips
- Book 60 minutes for singles and 90 for doubles with rotations.
- Ask whether the booking is for one court or the whole hall – pricing differs.
- Bring a spare tube of shuttles; venues rarely provide them.
What affects the price
- Courts are rented per court per hour; some halls price per person for open sessions. Evening slots and premium halls cost more.
- Each venue in Sparrio shows its own price range.
Frequently asked questions
Plastic or feather shuttles?
Plastic for casual play and practice; feather for matches. Feather shuttles fly truer but break faster.
Can I hire a badminton court without being a club member?
Many halls offer pay-and-play slots; venues on Sparrio show their own rules.
How do I find badminton partners?
Post a request in Sparrio or join a club night at a venue near you.
Related guides
Last updated: 2026-10-18