The UK’s 2026 padel calendar includes Premier Padel P1 London (3-9 August at Olympia, the headline event), seven LTA Grade 1 National Elite events, 21 Grade 2 National events, plus FIP Bronze and Silver tournaments. Entry fees range from £30-£50 per pair at Grade 5-6 amateur level to £200-£500 at Grade 1. The LTA British Tour is the heart of UK competitive padel; FIP events feed international rankings. Beginners should start at Grade 5 or 6 club tournaments before progressing to Grade 4 county-level events. Register via the LTA portal or each tournament’s organiser. Last updated: April 2026.
The UK padel calendar 2026: a landmark year
UK padel is reaching a milestone in 2026: the Premier Padel P1 is coming to London for the first time. This is historic - the UK finally joins the elite international circuit that Spain, Argentina, and France have hosted for years.
Beyond that marquee event, 2026 offers unprecedented domestic tournament opportunities. This guide aggregates every significant 2026 padel event so you can plan your calendar.
The tournament landscape now spans professional (Premier Padel), national elite (LTA Grade 1), national competitive (LTA Grade 2), regional (Grade 3 - 4), and open entry (Grade 5 - 6). New players often ask: “Where do I start?” The answer: Grade 6 (social) or Grade 5 (open entry), then work upward as ranking points accumulate.
Premier Padel P1 London 2026: The Headline Event
Premier Padel P1 London is scheduled for 3 - 9 August 2026. The venue has been confirmed as Olympia London, but major candidates include Wimbledon (unlikely but prestigious), Pure Padel (large enough to host), or a dedicated purpose-built court. Whichever location, this is unmissable for UK padel fans.
The P1 is the elite professional circuit - the world’s top 20 pairs in each gender compete for major prize money and ranking points. You won’t compete here as a recreational player, but attending is brilliant. Watching the world’s best play padel teaches you more about tactics in three hours than countless coaching sessions.
Tickets will likely open in March or April 2026. Mark August 3 - 9 on your calendar if you want to witness padel history in the UK. Expect tickets to sell fast - the tennis crowd in London will be curious, and serious padel fans will treat it like a pilgrimage.
Beyond spectating, the P1 brings visibility to UK padel. Courts will fill, coaching will boom, and more people will try the sport. It’s a catalyst event for our growing community.
LTA British Tour: The Heart of UK Competitive Padel
The LTA British Tour is the backbone of UK padel tournament structure. It comprises 7 Grade 1 National Elite events, 21 Grade 2 National events, spanning 35 weeks across the year. This is significantly more competition than existed in 2024, showing how rapidly the sport is organising.
Grade 1 events are for the top 100 UK-ranked players - competitive. Grade 2 events are National level but more inclusive - strong amateur players regularly compete here. Both grades offer ranking points that feed into the official LTA rankings.
Events are spread regionally to maximise access. London dominates (roughly 40% of events), but Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and other cities host tournaments. Check the LTA website for the full 2026 calendar and your nearest events.
The tour runs year-round with peaks in spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November). Summer (July - August) quiets slightly before the P1 takes centre stage, then activity resumes in September.
Entry to Grade 2 and Grade 1 events typically opens 4 - 6 weeks in advance. You’ll need an LTA ranking (based on tournament results) to enter Grade 1. Grade 2 is more relaxed but higher-ranked players get priority entry.
FIP Tour UK: International Rankings Path
The FIP (Federación Internacional de Pádel) sanctions international-level tournaments. The UK hosts 5 FIP events in 2026:
FIP Bronze (1 event): This is Rocks Lane Chiswick - the gold standard UK venue. Bronze is entry-level for international rankings but requires solid competitive experience.
FIP Silver (4 events): Spread across London, Jersey, and Ilford. Silver sits between Bronze and Gold in prestige and difficulty. These events attract players gunning for European rankings.
There are 3 FIP Promises junior events - pathways for talented young players to gain international experience early.
FIP tournaments are expensive (entry £100 - £200 per pair) and highly competitive, but they offer official international ranking points. If you’re serious about padel as a competitive pursuit, FIP events are where you validate yourself against international standards.
The FIP pathway is essential for serious UK juniors targeting careers in padel (coaching, sponsorships, or professional play). Even if you don’t compete, watching FIP events shows a higher level of padel than domestic Grade 1 - absolutely worth attending.
Tournament Grading System: Finding Your Level
The UK uses a transparent grading system so tournaments match your ability:
Grade 1 (National Elite): Top 100 UK-ranked players. Highly competitive, significant prize pools. Entry is by ranking, not open registration.
Grade 2 (National): Intermediate-to-advanced players, roughly positions 100 - 500 in UK rankings. Open entry but prioritises ranked players. This is where serious club players aim.
Grade 3 (Regional): Regional events for good intermediate players (roughly 500 - 2,000 in rankings). Less formal than Grade 2, more affordable.
Grade 4 (County): County-level competitions, perfect for developing players with 3 - 6 months tournament experience.
Grade 5 (Open/Entry): First-come-first-served entry, no ranking requirement. This is your starting point.
Grade 6 (Social): Relaxed, fun tournaments designed for newer players and social groups. No ranking system, just sign up and play.
Most beginners enter Grade 5 or Grade 6 first, then grade up based on results. You’ll climb grades naturally as you improve - it’s a satisfying progression pathway.
Entering Your First Tournament: Grade 5 and 6 Events
Grade 5 and Grade 6 events are specifically designed for you. Entry is simple: most charge £30 - £50 per pair, you find a partner, and you’re in. The format is typically round-robin (play multiple matches, not single-elimination) so you’ll get hours of competitive play.
Expect 8 - 16 pairs per tournament, spread across 2 - 3 hours of matches (usually 1 - 2 matches per pair). You’ll play players near your ability and leave having felt competitive experience without crushing pressure.
Many clubs run Grade 6 tournaments monthly - ask your local club for details. These are low-stakes, fun, and a brilliant introduction to tournament play. The social element is often better than the competition!
Registration opens 2 - 4 weeks ahead, usually through the LTA website or club-specific portals. Popular tournaments fill fast (50 pairs cap), so book early.
What to expect: your first tournament will feel nervously exciting. Most players overestimate the pressure - the reality is just “more formal padel.” You’ll play better than you expect, make friends, and want to enter again immediately.
Schools Championships and Junior Pathways
The UK PADEL Schools Championships are huge. Over 110 junior players competed across 17 schools in 2026, with the U15 category as the primary focus. Schools padel is one of the fastest-growing segments - some estimate 50+ schools now have padel programmes.
If your child plays at school, inter-school competitions run through the academic year. These feed into county and national junior pathways. UK Padel Academy and LTA coaching structures support junior development from age 8 onwards.
Junior tournaments are graded similarly to adults: from social/entry level (U10 - U12) through competitive (U13 - U18). Juniors competing seriously will accumulate 10 - 15 tournaments per year.
The pathway is clear: school competitions > county events > national finals > FIP Promises (for elite juniors). Parents often ask: what age should kids start competing? Answer: age 10 onwards if they’ve had 3 - 6 months of coaching. Before that, focus on skills development.
Finding Tournaments and Registration
The LTA website publishes the full tournament calendar. You can filter by grade, region, and date. This is your primary source of truth for official events.
Your local court is the second resource. Almost all clubs run or host tournaments. Ask the reception team or check the club website for their schedule.
Facebook padel groups (region-specific) often announce tournaments and have tournament-focused threads. UK Padel Community groups sometimes have dedicated event calendars.
Online registration varies by tournament. Some use the LTA portal, others use Eventbrite, some use club-specific systems. Most require payment upfront (£30 - £200 depending on grade) and a partner name.
Registration tips: most tournaments close 2 - 4 weeks before the event. Popular Grade 1 - 2 events fill within days of opening. Sign up immediately if you’re keen on a specific tournament. Grade 5 - 6 events rarely fill, so you’re safer to register later.
What to Expect at Your First Tournament: Day-by-Day
Week before: confirm details with your partner, check the venue location and parking, review the tournament draw (posted 2 - 3 days prior), and pack a bag with backup clothes, plenty of water, and snacks.
Tournament day: arrive 30 - 45 minutes early to check in, get your court assignment, and warm up. The tournament usually starts with a briefing on rules and court times. Then you’re on.
Your matches: each match is typically best-of-three sets, where each set is first to 6 games (win by 2; tiebreak at 6-6). Games use tennis scoring (15/30/40/game with deuce/advantage). Matches last 45-90 minutes depending on opponents. Between matches, you’ll have 10-15 minutes to recover.
The social element: most tournaments include a meal or refreshments midday. You’ll chat with other players, make friends, and hear stories about other clubs and coaching. This is often the best part.
Post-tournament: results are updated live or posted within days. You’ll feel the buzz of competitive play for days - it’s addictive. Most first-time competitors register for another tournament before they leave.
Tournament Etiquette and Rules to Know
Padel tournaments follow official FIP rules slightly adapted by the LTA. You don’t need to know everything, but a few essentials:
Serve and scoring: two serves per player per point (like tennis). To serve, drop the ball, let it bounce once on your own side, then strike it underhand below waist height into the opponent’s diagonal service box. Point scoring is 0, 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage (same as tennis).
Serve position: you must serve underhand, inside the service box. This is padel-specific and different from tennis.
Wall play: balls can be hit before or after hitting the wall - both are legal. If the ball bounces twice before being hit, the point is lost.
Lets: if a serve touches the net but lands in, it’s a let (re-serve). If a return rally hits the net and goes over, play continues.
Tournament etiquette: arrive on time, thank opponents after matches regardless of result, respect court times (keep matches to their allocated duration), and follow the referee’s calls without argument.
Most players new to tournaments are nervous about “breaking rules.” In reality, tournaments at Grade 5 - 6 are relaxed. Referees are there to clarify, not punish. Focus on playing well, not being perfect.
Finding a Tournament Partner: Tips and Resources
Tournaments are almost always doubles. Finding a partner matters - you need someone at your level (not much better or worse) and ideally someone you get along with.
Your local club is the best source. Ask your coach or club reception for recommended partners. Many clubs have partner-matching boards.
Facebook groups and Meetup have partner-finding posts. Search “[your city] padel partner” and you’ll find local players hunting teammates.
Playing regularly at your court creates natural partnerships. After a few weeks, you’ll recognise regulars and naturally form doubles pairs. This is often more reliable than formal matching.
Partner qualities that matter: similar skill level (technical ability, not shot accuracy), reasonable communication during play, and ability to be positive after losses. Personality matters more than skill for tournament success.
UK padel events & tournaments FAQ
Can I watch Premier Padel P1 London without playing?
What’s the difference between LTA and FIP tournaments?
How do I know if I’m ready for my first Grade 5 tournament?
Are UK padel tournament costs expensive?
Can I enter a UK padel tournament with a lower-skilled partner?
What happens if my partner gets injured and can’t play in an LTA tournament?
How are UK padel tournaments formatted - single elimination or round-robin?
Do I need an LTA ranking to enter tournaments?
For international tournament rankings and the FIP-sanctioned event calendar, see the International Padel Federation. To find and book courts in the UK, use Playtomic or MATCHi. The LTA Padel hub publishes the British Tour calendar and Grade 1-6 entry information.
