A spectacular idea, but not insignificant
Federico Chingotto, in association with Alejandro Galán and one of the very best players in the FIP ranking, has put forward a radical idea: do away with seeds and let the draw decide everything. At this stage, this is not an official project of Premier Padel or the FIP, but a proposal that reopens a real sporting debate.
In concrete terms, such a system would disrupt three major circuit landmarks:
- no more automatic protection for the best pairs;
- more tables built around the ranking ;
- the possibility of Tapia / Coello countering Galán / Chingotto in the first round.
For the fans, the spin would be immediate: huge match-ups earlier in the week and heightened tension in the early rounds. But there’s a backhand too: if several favourites are eliminated too quickly, the finals could become less readable for the general public.
The FIP ranking, the basis of today’s balance
The idea touches on one of the pillars of professional sport: rewarding consistency. Today, FIP points are used not only to establish a symbolic hierarchy. They determine entry into the draw, the position of pairs, first-round byes and part of the circuit’s legibility.
Premier Padel rules do indeed provide for pairs to be seeded according to their combined ranking at the time of the draw. So the direct answer is clear: can Premier Padel do away with seeds as early as 2026? Technically, only a regulatory change would allow it. From a sporting point of view, it would be a major turning point.
- The current system rewards the most consistent pairs.
- It avoids all the big match-ups falling into the same part of the table.
- It helps organizers and promoters build a clear progression towards the weekend.
A hybrid model more credible than a revolution
But the debate is not over. Premier Padel is still looking for its ideal format between Majors, P1, P2 and Finals. A middle way seems more realistic than a full draw.
- reduce the number of protected pairs;
- increase the proportion of randomness between certain areas of the table;
- test a special format on an unconventional event.
Chingotto’s proposal also comes at a time when the men’s circuit is becoming increasingly dense. Behind Arturo Coello / Agustín Tapia and Alejandro Galán / Federico Chingotto, pairs such as Lebrón / Augsburger, Stupaczuk / Yanguas, Nieto / Sanz or Di Nenno / González can turn a round of 16 into a final before its time. Recent upsets are a reminder that a seed doesn’t guarantee anything if the level rises in the early rounds.
The real issue, then, is less about eliminating seeds than about how much unpredictability Premier Padel wants to accept. Too much randomness would weaken the logic of the ranking; too little randomness could make certain draws predictable. Between the two, professional padel can look for a more nervous format, without denying the credibility of a world circuit.
To understand the other regulatory side of the circuit, Actu Padel has already detailed the Premier Padel rules on partner changes. The official texts can also be consulted on the FIP documents page.
To remember:
- Chingotto offers a totally free print run, with no seeds.
- The current rules protect the best pairs via the combined FIP ranking.
- A hybrid model seems more realistic than total abolition in the short term.
- The debate is between immediate spectacle, sporting merit and circuit clarity.
