As tennis gains popularity in Canada, harsh winters and limited indoor court options remain significant barriers for year-round play. The Farley Group provides a game-changing solution with cost-effective, air-supported structures, aka. a sports bubble, that transform outdoor courts into versatile, climate-controlled spaces, ensuring Canadians can enjoy tennis regardless of the season.
Canada has traditionally been celebrated for hockey and winter sports, but tennis? Not so much. Just a few decades ago, the sport barely made a blip on the radar. Yet today, tennis is enjoying a remarkable surge in popularity.
According to Tennis Canada, tennis remains a growing sport in Canada, with nearly 5 million Canadians having played tennis in 2023. The love of the racquet sport is growing amongst the younger population too, particularly among those aged 6 to 17, has increased by 11% compared to 2022, fueled by inspiration from Canadian stars like Félix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez, and Bianca Andreescu.
The Winter Dilemma
Despite this growing enthusiasm, Canada’s winters present a major hurdle. Bitterly cold temperatures and snow-covered courts make outdoor play nearly impossible. Indoor facilities could solve the problem, but there are simply not enough to meet demand.
Of the 7,500 tennis courts available in warmer months, only 10% are covered for winter use, leaving just one indoor court for every 50,000 Canadians.
As Michael Downey, CEO of Tennis Canada, explained to The Globe and Mail, “We’re fighting this perception that tennis is just a summer sport.” He highlights a Tennis Canada study showing that 51% of Canadians would play more tennis if they had access to affordable indoor courts nearby.
The Solution: Air-Supported Structures
This is where air-supported structures—like the ones we design, manufacture, and install at The Farley Group—come in.
Domes are a cost-effective, flexible solution to Canada’s winter tennis woes. Whether seasonal or permanent, these sports bubbles provide players with year-round access to the sport they love. Seasonal domes can be installed as temperatures drop and removed in spring, while permanent air domes offer climate-controlled conditions for comfort no matter the season.
And they’re not just practical—they’re versatile. Air-supported structures can house not only tennis courts but also soccer fields, swimming pools, gyms, and multi-use community spaces. They can even feature customizable interiors, like high-contrast liners to improve ball visibility, ensuring players enjoy an optimal experience.
Bringing Tennis to Communities Across Canada
With tennis participation skyrocketing and demand for indoor courts rising, now is the time for municipalities to invest in this solution. At The Farley Group, we’re proud to support Tennis Canada and Roger Communications’ continued efforts to promote the sport and educate communities about the benefits of domes. Together, Tennis Canada and Rogers provided 1.2 million for year-round community tennis court projects in 2024.
Interested in bringing a tennis bubble to your area? We’d love to help you explore the possibilities. Contact us today to learn more about our air-supported structures and how they can transform your community.
Together, we can make year-round tennis a reality for Canadians coast to coast.