Are you dominating the tournaments in your region? Do you feel like you’ve exhausted local competition and you watch videos of FIP Rise or Promotion tournaments, thinking: “Why not us?”
The International Padel Federation (FIP) circuit is the door to the professional world. It’s the antechamber to Premier Padel, the essential step to gain valuable points that will perhaps one day allow you to face the world stars. But be careful, you don’t register for an international tournament the same way you register for your local club’s tournament. It’s a standardized, rigorous process that requires some administration.
Whether you are a young hopeful or an experienced amateur looking for challenges, here is the step-by-step guide to validate your first entry on the FIP Tour.
1. The essential condition: The FIP License
Even before looking at the calendar, you must be administratively recognized by the International Federation. Your national licence (French, Belgian, Spanish…) is not enough to play internationally.
You need a FIP License Number.
How to get it?
Contrary to what one might think, you generally cannot buy it directly on the
- Log in to your federation’s portal (FFT in France, AFP/PWB in Belgium).
- Request the approval or activation of your international FIP licence.
- Once validated, you will receive a unique number. This number is your passport: without it, the registration software will block you.
2. Understanding the hierarchy: Where to register?
Don’t aim for a FIP Platinum or a Premier Padel Major right away. You might not even make it into the qualifying. You need to choose your category based on your level and your points (which are at zero at the start).
The tour is divided into several categories (Cupra FIP Tour):
- FIP Promotion: It’s the door. This is where players with no points (or very few points) have the best chance of entering the main draw. The level is already very strong (often players from the national Top 100/200).
- FIP Rise: The next level up. There are more points and money to be won. It’s the hunting ground for players aiming for the world Top 300.
- FIP Star / Gold / Platinum: These tournaments are reserved for the elite and players who already have a solid FIP ranking.
Tip: To start, aim for a FIP Promotion near you or in a neighboring country to limit costs.
3. The Technical Procedure: The Official Software
Everything happens online. The FIP uses dedicated management software (often via the Padel FIP platform which manages rankings and entries).
The step-by-step procedure:
- Account Creation: Create your player profile on the official FIP website. You will need to enter your FIP licence number, your date of birth, and your nationality.
- Forming the pair: You don’t register alone. You must register with your partner. They also must have an up-to-date account and FIP licence. One of the two players initiates the entry and invites the other via the system. The other must validate.
- Payment: Registration fees (generally between €20 and €40 per player depending on the category) are often paid on-site at the organizing club (“sign-in”), but some procedures may require an online deposit. Be sure to check the tournament’s “Fact Sheet”.
4. Monitoring the “Deadline” and “Entry List”
This is the most stressful moment.
- The Deadline: Entries usually close one to two weeks before the start of the tournament (often on Wednesday or Thursday at noon). Don’t be a minute late.
- The Entry List: Once registered, you appear on the provisional list. A few days after closing, FIP publishes the final list ranked by points.
- The best pairs go into the main draw (Final Draw).
- The next ones go into qualifying (Previas).
- The last ones are on the waiting list (Waiting List).
If you have no points, the draw or the order of entry will determine your fate.
5. Logistics: A necessary investment
Playing on the FIP Tour costs money before it makes any.
As a beginner on a
- Expenses are your responsibility: Transport, hotel, meals. Unlike Premier Padel where hospitality is offered to main draw players, on the FIP Tour, you often have to manage on your own.
- Prize Money: It’s modest. Winning a first round of FIP Rise probably won’t cover your plane ticket. It’s an investment to gain points.
6. D-Day: The “Sign-in”
Are you accepted into the draw? Congratulations!
Don’t forget the crucial Sign-in step. The day before matches begin, you must confirm your presence with the referee, either physically or sometimes remotely, depending on the rules.
If you miss the sign-in, you are disqualified and replaced by a team on the waiting list.
Conclusion: A human adventure
Getting started on the FIP Tour is an incredible experience. You will discover other playing styles (Spanish, Italian, Argentinian), play in sometimes difficult conditions, and learn the rigor of high-level play.
It’s a challenging journey, but simply seeing your name appear in the world
So, are you ready to pack your bags for your first international tournament, or do you still prefer to perfect your vibora at home?
