Until now, the International Padel Federation (FIP ) has mainly built up its “elite” levels: official competitions, pro circuits, youth courses. With FIP Beyond, a new project is underway: to provide amateurs with a worldwide frame that is clear and comparable from one country to another. The project was validated at the FIP General Assembly in Acapulco in November 2025, with a simple promise: to transform sometimes disparate club tournaments into a more structured experience, without denying the DNA of friendly, social but competitive padel.
The FIP Beyond format: three levels, a ranking, age categories
FIP has announced a three-tier circuit, with common rules and an international ranking system.
- B1: total prize fund announced between €6,000 and €18,000 per tournament.
- B2: total prize fund announced between €3,600 and €10,800 per tournament.
- B3: “pure competition” tournaments, with no prize money.
The age breakdown is also standardized, with a clear idea: to give a real place to senior padel, while keeping an entry door for 18-39 year-olds.
- Amateurs aged 18-39 (no prize money).
- Senior categories: +40, +45, +50, +55, +60.
On each stage, at least three categories must be open, with a strong constraint: +40 and +50 will always be on the schedule. The other categories will depend on entries, the site and the availability of courts – a detail that counts, because the success of an amateur tournament often hinges on logistics (slots, stringing together matches, managing tables).
Another structuring choice: in B1 and B2, the prize money is for senior categories (+40 to +60), with rewards announced for champions, finalists and semi-finalists. This is a way of attracting competitive pairs used to tournaments, capable of holding their own in matches where topspin, bandeja and vibora often make the difference in the heat of the moment.
Enticing promise, grey areas: what 2026 will have to prove
On paper, FIP Beyond can change two things. Firstly, it brings “international” recognition to players who are not aiming to become pros, but who want a common reference: a world ranking based on the 11 best results. Secondly, to create a season-long goal: access to official announced events (FIP Beyond Finals, Continental Cup by Pairs, World Cup by Pairs). It’s a motivating mechanism, close to what amateurs already love: playing, accumulating points, aiming for a “big event”.
But that’s also where the questions start. How will this circuit fit in with existing competitions in each country? In nations where there is already a dense offer (federal tournaments, private circuits, veterans’ championships), the added value will have to be very concrete: experience, legibility of the level, prestige, and above all a compatible calendar. For 18-39 year-olds, without prize money, attractiveness will also depend on the real cost to players: travel, entries, availability and what “playing worldwide” brings in addition to a good local circuit.
The FIP’s emphasis on participation, inclusion and social interaction is consistent with padel culture. It remains to be seen how this ambition will be translated in the organizing clubs, between welcome, refereeing, tempo of matches and density of tables. If execution follows, FIP Beyond could become a benchmark. If not, it runs the risk of coming up against a simple reality: the amateur chooses a tournament first and foremost because it’s practical, well organized… and there are good matches to be played.
