Your First Padel Tournament: Entry, Match Day and Nerves

The most important step happens before you enter: choosing the right category. Almost every tournament is graded by playing strength – beginner, amateur or C draws, or the licence-free GPS 50 in the German Padel Series. If in doubt, enter one level lower rather than higher: close matches teach you more than two quick 0-6 losses against well-drilled pairs. Not sure where you stand? Our padel level check helps you place yourself.

For padel tournaments you usually enter as a fixed team – so find a partner at a similar level first. Registration runs through the organiser's listing, for official events usually via Rankedin. Watch the entry deadline and fee, and read the listing once in full: it tells you the format, categories and schedule. You'll find suitable tournaments near you in our tournament calendar – filterable by city, category and date.

Most entry-level tournaments start with a group stage, followed by knockout rounds or placement matches depending on where you finish – so you almost always get several matches, even if you lose the first one. Plan for half a day or a full day, with possible waits between matches. Bring plenty of water, snacks, a spare shirt and patience for the downtime. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your first match and warm up properly.

Almost everyone's legs shake in the first match – your opponents' too, by the way. Two things help: play simpler than in training (a high lob instead of a risky winner, a safe serve instead of a hard one) and be clear about the goal: your first tournament is about the experience, not the trophy. The nerves usually fade after the third rally – and afterwards you'll know exactly what to work on in training.