A backyard basketball court is not just a place to play – it is a reason to get outside instead of staying in front of a screen. Planned well, it lasts for years with minimal upkeep. Several decisions must be made before the concrete is poured. This article covers the full process: dimensions and surface through hoop and lighting.

Planning – where to start

Before you measure the garden, answer three questions. Who will play – children, adults, or mixed ages? That drives dimensions, hoop type, and surface. Will the court be basketball-only, or do you want volleyball or pickleball too? That affects size and line layout. Do you already have a hard base (concrete, asphalt, pavers) or are you building from zero? That is the biggest cost lever in the project.

Check local zoning rules – a typical backyard court with surface and hoop often does not need a building permit, but confirm locally. Details: Backyard courts and building permits – what the rules say.

Dimensions for a backyard basketball court

A full 5-on-5 court is 28 × 15 m – professional hall size. On a private plot you usually build 3x3, half a full court with one hoop. Practical options:

• Mini training zone (6 × 4 m to 8 × 5 m) – shooting and play under the rim for children. For small gardens.
• Half court 3x3 (8 × 6 m to 12 × 9 m) – full 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 play, 6.75 m arc, key under the backboard. Standard for backyard courts.
• Full FIBA 3x3 court (15 × 11 m) – tournament dimensions with run-offs totalling at least 17 × 13 m. For advanced players and large plots.

Every option needs run-off – minimum 1.5 m behind the end line under the backboard and 1 m on the sides. A court flush against a fence invites injury.

Location and orientation

Orient the long axis north–south so players are not staring into the sun on shots. Check for tree branches that will hang over the backboard in a few years, and distance from neighbours’ windows – play generates noise worth planning for.

Base – the non-negotiable rule

Modular surfacing is not laid on soil, grass, or loose aggregate. You need a hard, level base.

• Concrete pour (best) – concrete C16/20, 12–15 cm thick, reinforced, with joints every 3–4 m and drainage fall 0.5–0.6%. Minimum 28 days curing before tiles.
• Existing asphalt in good condition – modules can go directly on top. Often the biggest saving in the project.
• Stable block paving – acceptable if level and not sinking.

More on base choice: Best base under modular surfacing – what to choose.

Sport surface – what works outdoors

Outdoor courts use modular surfacing – one-day install, winter resistance, drainage through perforations, years without maintenance. Hoop And Court offers several Enlio models with different cushioning levels and prices:

• Enlio Double Layer – 149 PLN/m² – economical, recreational. Good durability and ball bounce at low cost. Moderate backyard use.
• Enlio Soft Connection – 139 PLN/m² – flexible connectors, better cushioning than Double Layer, FIBA and ITF certified, 40 × 40 cm format. Multi-sport and tennis courts.
• Elastic Pro – 179 PLN/m² – solid mid-range surface. Housing estate and school courts.
• Enlio E630 – 179 PLN/m² – SES elastomer cushion system, clearly higher cushioning. Especially recommended for pickleball and heavier use.
• Enlio SES Battle – 249 PLN/m² – TPE elastomer, 40–50% shock absorption, FIBA and FIBA 3x3 certified. Used at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Best for serious training.
• Enlio SES Elite – 399 PLN/m² – top model, official FIBA 3x3 surface. Supplied by Hoop And Court for the main arena at the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Warsaw. Professional facilities.

Full model comparison: Enlio surfaces – which model for a backyard court.

Basketball hoop – models for the garden

Backyards suit fixed in-ground hoops – set in a concrete foundation poured with the slab. Pole foundation (about 60 × 60 × 100 cm) is done before the pour, not after. Hoop location is final.

Hoopair line – strong value:

• Hoopair D54-F – 5,999 PLN – backboard 137 × 91 cm, adjustment 215–305 cm. Solid entry for recreational and kids’ courts.
• Hoopair D60 – 8,699 PLN – glass backboard 152 × 91 cm, adjustment 165–305 cm, breakaway rim. Balance of quality and price for regular play.
• Hoopair D72 – 9,899 PLN – glass backboard 183 × 107 cm, adjustment 165–305 cm. Full match backboard, maximum extension.

Goalrilla line – premium for serious players:

• Goalrilla CV72 – 15,399 PLN – glass backboard 183 × 107 cm, heavy steel frame. Maximum stability, safe for hanging on the rim.
• Goalrilla DC72E1 – 18,999 PLN – top model with extension adjustment, tempered glass, breakaway rim. Pro quality in a home garden.

Goaliath line – accessible pricing:

• Goaliath Gotek 54 – 4,299 PLN – backboard 137 × 81 cm, height adjustment, portable base. When you need location flexibility.

Hoop accessories: Goalrilla Pad (pole pad – 1,499 PLN), Goalrilla LED (backboard light – 2,299 PLN), Yard Guard ball containment (Goalrilla 1,599 PLN, Goaliath 1,299 PLN).

Customisation – colours, lines, logo

Modular surfacing allows customisation polyurethane cannot match. Lines are coloured tiles – no repainting for the life of the court. Choose surface colours, multi-sport line layouts, and inlaid logos or patterns. More: Court customisation – colours, lines and logo on modular surfacing.

Lighting and ball stops

Without lighting, use is limited to daylight. LED floodlights on 2–4 poles extend the season year-round. Cables must be laid before the pour. Goalrilla LED lights the backboard – a good add-on for evening shooting. Yard Guard nets stop balls behind the hoop and protect the garden and neighbours.

What a backyard basketball court costs

Indicative costs for a 3x3 court of about 80 m²:

• new concrete base: 25,000–50,000 PLN,
• modular surface (by model): 11,000–20,000 PLN,
• fixed hoop (Goaliath Gotek 54 to Goalrilla DC72E1): 4,300–19,000 PLN,
• surface installation: 3,000–5,000 PLN.

With an existing hard base, the largest cost line drops away. Total then roughly 18,000–44,000 PLN depending on hoop and surface. A well-designed court can also add property value – recreational infrastructure appeals to families buying or renting.

Hoop And Court prepares free quotes for backyard courts. If you have a plot and an idea – contact us and we will outline what is possible and what it costs.