The FIP Circuit: The Silent Foundation of Professional Padel

Full stadiums, live broadcasts, sponsorship deals, and players who’ve become true sports stars — Premier Padel is undoubtedly the global showcase and the goal many players strive for.
But what we see on the center courts of Doha, Rome or Paris is only one — the most visible — part of a much more complex structure.

Behind every spectacular shot in a Major tournament lies a long, demanding journey that starts on a different circuit: that of the International Padel Federation (FIP). And that’s where the real story begins.

Players must earn their place by competing in FIP tournaments — many held in small cities, with fewer fans, less media exposure, and often in far more modest conditions. These are events where padel is lived in a rawer, more authentic way, and where what's at stake is not just a title, but something far more valuable: the ranking points needed to keep moving forward.

These tournaments are the true battleground for those working to build a professional career. This is where rising talents begin to test themselves against international competition, where experienced players fight to climb back up the rankings, and where many athletes balance their passion with side jobs, endless road or air travel, and training sessions at impossible hours

Understanding the System to Understand the Sport

One of the lesser-known aspects outside the professional circle is how the ranking points system works — the very system that determines a player’s progress.

In short: the more FIP tournaments you play — and the more rounds you advance through — the more points you earn in the official FIP ranking. And those points are the key to unlocking access to higher-level events, including the Premier Padel circuit.

Each tournament has a category — which was updated just last year (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum…) — and the higher the category, the more points at stake.

It’s not just about winning matches: it’s about planning an entire season, choosing the right tournaments, and doing it all with the persistence of someone who knows that climbing the ladder is slow… but possible

More Than Just a Sport

What the FIP has managed to build in recent years is a global network of opportunity. It has democratized access to professional competition, allowing players from any country — even those without major sponsors or resources — to enter the circuit, earn points, and, through hard work, rise to the top.

Premier Padel is the dream. But FIP is the way.