The AFPadel Interclubs 2026 are also won off the court: ELO frozen as of January 5, formats according to category, data entry on My AFPadel, and postponement rules. Here’s the checklist to be ready, without unpleasant surprises.
- Step 1: Block out the dates even before discussing pairs
- Step 2: Check ELO eligibility and choose the right category
- Step 3: Build a strong roster that holds up over five weekends
- Step 4: Understand the formats to get your game plan right
- Step 5: On match day, everything also happens on My AFPadel
- The surprising detail: the ‘interclub match day’ in case of postponement
- Key takeaways
- Useful links
Step 1: Block out the dates even before discussing pairs
The first pitfall is the calendar. Team registrations take place from January 5, 2026 to February 8, 2026 (midnight). Then, the group stage spans five weekends between mid-March and mid-April, before a final round that begins on the weekend of April 17–19. The finals are scheduled for June 13–14, 2026, at a neutral club (to be determined).
- Note down your fixed unavailability (holidays, work, exams) for March–April now.
- Form a core group of players available for all five group stage days (not just as ‘fill-ins’).
- Anticipate travel logistics as soon as the groups and schedules are published.
Step 2: Check ELO eligibility and choose the right category
The rules are clear: access to categories depends on ELO points, with a reference date set at 2026-01-05. Specifically, this means that your in-season ‘progressions’ are not necessarily enough to re-qualify a team after registrations close, except for specified exceptions (such as certain cases of new affiliates or special evaluations).
What you need to check before forming your team
- Individual level: the ELO floors/ceilings for the target category.
- Pair level: some divisions also impose a ‘pair’ point range.
- Specifics: different match formats depending on the categories, direct impact on strategy and bench management.
Note: women can also play in men’s categories under the same announced conditions (point equivalence). A specific provision also exists for players ranked WD500 to participate in MD500 within a framework strictly limited to this category and governed by selection and alignment rules.
Step 3: Build a strong roster that holds up over five weekends
On paper, ‘we have 8 players, that’s enough’. On the court, one unavailability and your match is jeopardized. Especially since in interclub matches, a match is played in rotations (series) with usage rules: a player cannot play two matches in the same series, and cannot play again with the same partner in the same match.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Core group | Aim for a base of reliable players (availability + license + compliant ELO) before adding reinforcements. |
| Tested pairs | Validate 3 to 5 combinations in training to avoid last-minute scrambling. |
| Plan B | Prepare 2 substitutes capable of playing in your category without exceeding ELO thresholds. |
| Match Day Rule | In case of postponement, the original ‘interclub match day’ can block a player from another match. |
| Ongoing additions | Possible if the player is in order (license, ELO points, membership) and added before the start of the match. |
| Captaincy | A non-playing captain can be a real asset for managing data entry, timing, and follow-up. |
Step 4: Understand the formats to get your game plan right
Most matches are played in one set up to 9 games (tie-break if 8-8), with advantage scoring (no ‘golden point’). However: in WD400, WD500, and MD700, the format switches to best of three sets with a super tie-break in the third. Over a season, this difference changes physical management, bench depth, and sometimes how you line up your players.
Step 5: On match day, everything also happens on My AFPadel
The rules require teams to be entered before each series, then results to be entered on time. The interclub manager/referee of the host club must check the consistency between the scoresheet and the players present. And most importantly: results must be entered on the same day, by Monday midnight at the latest, otherwise you risk penalties as per the rules. In short: designate a ‘tablet/phone’ contact person as seriously as you would your right-side player.
- Arrive with your lineups ready (at least for the first series).
- Check licenses and eligibility before validating a rotation.
- Enter the results and finalize the match sheet at the end of the match.
The surprising detail: the ‘interclub match day’ in case of postponement
In case of postponement, the match remains linked to its scheduled date. And for certain categories (MD100 and WD50), matches played on Friday are considered part of the same ‘interclub match day’ as those of the corresponding weekend. Consequently: a player can find themselves ineligible without realizing it, simply because they have already played on that same official day. Integrate this into your squad management starting in February.
Key takeaways
- Registrations: from January 5, 2026 to February 8, 2026 (midnight).
- The reference ELO is frozen as of January 5, 2026: your lineups must be compliant above all.
- Variable formats: WD400/WD500/MD700 require more depth and management.
- The match is also validated off the court: data entry, verification, signature, and adherence to deadlines.
Useful links
- AFPadel Interclubs 2026 Regulations (Official PDF)
- AFPadel: documents and regulations
- My AFPadel: platform (data entry, scoresheets, results)
- FIP: official documents (rules and guidelines)
One last simple piece of advice: do a ‘dress rehearsal’ before the first match day (rotations, entry, timing, license check). Padel is already demanding enough; so avoid losing points over a poorly checked box.
