P50 Padel Points: Official FFT Scoring System, Rules & Complete 2026 Tournament Guide

Since March 1, 2026, competitive padel in France has reached a new milestone with the P50 tournament. Born from a decision by the General Assembly of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) on January 10, 2026, this brand-new format fills a gap felt by thousands of players: too strong for P25s, not yet ready for P100s.

If you're wondering how many points a P50 awards, whether you're eligible to compete, or how this new format can boost your FFT ranking, this guide answers every question with the full official scoring table and up-to-date rules.

1.What is a P50 padel tournament?

The P50 tournament is the new intermediate category in the FFT hierarchy, officially sanctioned since March 1, 2026. The name is easy to remember: winners walk away with 50 points added to their French national ranking.

Positioned between the P25 (the entry gate to sanctioned padel, ideal for beginners) and the P100 (the first truly competitive regional tier), the P50 targets players at level 3 to 4 who already have a few tournaments under their belt and are looking for a challenge that matches their ability.

The reasoning is straightforward: French padel has exploded, with one million active players expected in 2026. Demand for balanced competitions against similarly skilled opponents has never been higher. The FFT heard this need and created a tailor-made tier to bridge the gap between recreational padel and regular competition.

💡

P25 = discovery | P50 = intermediate | P100 = confirmed (FFT France hierarchy)

2.Does the P50 exist in other countries?

Before diving into the scoring table, an important note for international players. The P50 as defined by the FFT only exists in France.

• Belgium (AFPadel): a "P50" category exists, but with different rules and scoring
• Spain (FEP): star-based system, no direct equivalent
• Italy (FIT): category system (1st to 4th), no P50
• International pro circuit (FIP / Premier Padel): Majors, P1, P2, FIP Tour, an entirely different structure

International players wishing to enter an FFT P50 must hold an FFT license and register through the Ten'Up app.

3.The official P50 padel points table (2026)

As with every FFT category, the number of points awarded in a P50 depends on two factors: your final ranking in the tournament and the number of registered pairs in the draw.

The larger the draw, the more generous the points for intermediate finishes. The winner always takes home a fixed 50 points, regardless of draw size.

Official P50 points breakdown

4 to 12 pairs

• 1st: 50 points
• 2nd: 40 points
• 3rd: 30 to 33 points
• 4th to 8th: 1 to 28 points
• 9th to 12th: 1 to 3 points

13 to 20 pairs

• 1st: 50 points
• 2nd: 40 to 43 points
• 3rd: 35 to 38 points
• 4th to 8th: 15 to 35 points
• 9th to 12th: 8 to 18 points
• 13th to 16th: 1 to 10 points
• 17th to 20th: 1 to 5 points

21 to 32 pairs

• 1st: 50 points
• 2nd: 43 points
• 3rd: 38 points
• 4th to 8th: 23 to 35 points
• 9th to 12th: 16 to 23 points
• 13th to 16th: 12 to 19 points
• 17th to 20th: 6 to 14 points
• 21st and beyond: 1 to 12 points

Source: FFT, Padel Competition Guide 2026

Key takeaways from the scoring table

• Larger draws (21-32 pairs) are more rewarding for intermediate finishes. A 4th place in a 21+ pair draw earns up to 35 points, compared to only 28 in a small draw.
• Even an early exit earns points: you collect at least 1 point from 4 registered pairs onward.
• P50 tournaments can host up to 7 matches per day in short formats (4-game sets or super tie-break).

4.Who can play a P50 tournament? Official ranking cuts

The P50 is an intermediate category, meaning it is closed to highly ranked players to ensure balanced draws. The FFT has set clear restrictions:

• Men's tournaments: players ranked in the Top 10,000 of the FFT ranking are barred
• Women's tournaments: players ranked in the Top 1,000 of the FFT ranking are barred
• Mixed tournaments: same limits apply (Top 10,000 men, Top 1,000 women)
• Basic requirement: hold a current-year FFT license and be at least 11 years old

5.P50 vs P100: what are the differences?

If you're torn between the two formats, here are the main distinctions:

• Winner's points: 50 pts (P50) vs 100 pts (P100)
• Men's cut: Top 10,000 barred from P50, Top 8,000 barred from P100
• Target level: level 3-4 for P50, level 4-5 for P100
• Purpose: P50 bridges the gap from recreational to competitive play; P100 is for players already committed to regular competition

The P50 is therefore the natural stepping stone to the P100. If you consistently finish on the podium in P50s, it's probably time to try the next tier.

6.How do P50 points improve your FFT ranking?

The rolling 12-month ranking

The FFT padel ranking operates on a rolling ranking principle: only your best 12 results over the last 12 months count. P50 points fit seamlessly into this system and can have a lasting impact on your national position.

Every month (the first Tuesday), the FFT publishes an updated ranking. Your P50 points appear shortly after your participation.

Why P50s accelerate your progression

Compared to the P25, the P50 offers faster progression for three reasons:

• Points are better valued: a P50 win awards double a P25. String together good results and your ranking climbs much faster.
• The playing level is more balanced: you face opponents at your level, giving a more accurate picture of your real progress.
• It's the ideal warm-up for P100s: playing P50s gets you used to the pace of sanctioned competition before stepping up to P100s.

Tie-break rules and special cases

• No classification match: tied pairs share the least favorable rank and receive the same number of points.
• Single-pool tournament: a tie-break by sets or games won is possible.
• Multi-pool tournament: no off-court tie-breaking is allowed.
• Repechage: only the sporting rules outlined in the tournament specifications apply.

7.5 tips to succeed in your first P50 tournament

Ready to take the plunge? Here are the keys to approaching your first P50 in the best conditions. For a deeper dive into preparation, our complete guide to improving at padel covers technique, tactics and mindset in detail.

• Don't skip steps: start with one or two P25s if you've never played in a sanctioned competition. Avoid the most common beginner mistakes before moving up a category.
• Work on stress management: tie-breaks often decide matches at this level. Mental toughness is an underrated performance factor.
• Target large draws: a P50 with 21+ pairs is far more rewarding in points for intermediate finishes.
• Choose your partner strategically: complementarity (baseline / net) is key in doubles. Analyze each other's strengths before signing up.
• Check Ten'Up before registering: verify your eligibility and the tournament format to avoid surprises on match day.

8.Frequently Asked Questions

How many points does a P50 padel tournament award? The winner of a P50 earns 50 points, regardless of draw size. Other ranks follow a sliding scale based on the number of registered pairs. See the full table in this article.

Since when do P50 padel tournaments exist? P50 tournaments have been officially sanctioned since March 1, 2026, following the FFT General Assembly decision of January 10, 2026.

Do P50 tournaments exist in other countries? No, the P50 category as defined by the FFT is exclusive to the French circuit. Each country has its own amateur ranking system: Spain uses a star-based system, Italy uses categories (1st to 4th), and Belgium has its own nomenclature. At the professional international level, the FIP and Premier Padel use different categories (Majors, P1, P2, FIP Tour).

9.Ready to level up?

P50 tournaments are the ideal springboard to structure your competitive progression. To maximize your results, analyze your matches with PadelIQ: AI identifies your areas for improvement and suggests drills tailored to your level.

1st analysis free, no credit card required

Get started now →