The AFPadel Interclub 2026 is also won off the court: ELO frozen on Jan. 5, formats by category, encoding 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 the 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: control the formats to avoid making a mistake in the match plan
- Step 5: On match day, everything also happens on My AFPadel.
- The surprising detail: the “interclub day” in case of postponement.
- Key takeaways
- Useful links
Step 1: Block out the dates even before discussing the pairs.
The first pitfall is the calendar. Team entries are 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 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: category access depends on ELO points, with a reference date set at January 5, 2026. Specifically, this means that your ‘progressions’ during the season are not necessarily enough to re-qualify a team after entries close, except for specified exceptions (such as new affiliates or specific evaluations).
What you need to check before forming your team
- Individual level: the ELO floors/ceilings for the target category.
- The pair’s 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 compete 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, ‘8 players is fine’. On the court, one unavailability can swing your match. Especially since in interclub, 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 + licence + 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 day” can block a player from another match. |
| Ongoing Additions | Possible if the player is in order (licence, ELO points, membership fee) and added before the start of the match. |
| Captaincy | A non-playing captain can be a real asset for managing encoding, timing, and follow-up. |
Step 4: control the formats to avoid making a mistake in the match plan
Most matches are played in one set up to 9 games (tiebreak if 8-8), with deuce/advantage (no ‘golden point’). But beware: in WD400, WD500, and MD700, the format changes to best of three sets with a super tiebreak 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 team encoding before each series, then results encoding within the deadlines. The host club’s interclub manager/referee must check the consistency between the scoresheet and the players present. And most importantly: results must be encoded on the same day, by Monday midnight at the latest, otherwise you risk sanctions provided for in the rules. In short: plan for a “tablet/phone” contact person as seriously as your right-side player.
- Arrive with your lineups ready (at least for the first series).
- Check licences and eligibility before validating a rotation.
- Encode the results and finalize the match sheet at the end of the match.
The surprising detail: the “interclub 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 day’ as those on the corresponding weekend. Result: a player can find themselves ineligible without realizing it, simply because they have already played on that same official day. This should be integrated into your squad management from 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: encoding, control, signing, and respecting deadlines.
Useful links
- AFPadel Interclub 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 day (rotations, encoding, timing, license checks). Padel is already demanding enough; it’s best to avoid losing points over a poorly checked box.
