With the announcement of the new 2025 regulations on the circuit side Premier Padel, many players have noted what they call “a flashback” of the professional circuit supported by the International Federation of Padel.
Players involved in the qualifications feel excluded from decision-making. Many have told us the following. In order not to put these players in difficulty with regard to Premier Padel, we summarize their comments. It seems that a consensus is emerging among all the players concerned by these new provisions of Premier Padel.
Furthermore, we will try to get feedback from Premier Padel regarding these different points.
"Premier Padel becomes the World Padel Tour"
“We are pointing out a central problem with the new format of Premier Padel : a circuit that is closing, contrary to the initial promises. The players had already complained about the World Padel Tour, described as too closed with particularly demanding qualifications and very few places available in the main draw. This system favored players already present in the main draws, allowing them to stay in place without achieving significant performances.”
Top 70 players qualify!
"Premier Padel had promised a more open circuit. However, three weeks before the start of the season, a radical change occurred: reduction in the number of teams in the final draws, shortened qualifications, and a reduction in the points awarded. As a result, even players ranked in the Top 60 or 70 are in qualifying. In addition, these qualifications, now more demanding with three rounds instead of two, offer less chance of reaching the main draw.”
Complicated conditions for players from the qualifications
“The new configuration of qualifications imposes severe constraints. With only four teams accessing the final table (against eight previously) and a reduced allocation of points, the system discourages players.
If you lose in the first round of qualifying, you leave with 0 euros and 0 points, despite the effort and costs involved. This system protects players already in the final table, particularly those ranked at the bottom of the table, making their dislodgement almost impossible.
To illustrate this injustice: a player who manages to reach the main draw several times through qualifying will score less points than a player who systematically loses in the first round of the final draw. This system slows down the emergence of new faces and limits surprises, to the benefit of established players.”
Direct consequences for players ranked outside the Top 100
“For players ranked above the Top 100, the opportunities are drastically reduced. These players will have to turn to FIP tournaments, which remain poorly organized, unprofessional and with low financial rewards. (Editor's note: the players are talking about FIP tournaments in general and are not talking specifically about France, which is a very good student)
Worse still, in the big FIP tournaments, players from Top 30 or 40 "Enter to collect points, winning against lower-ranked competitors. This creates a vicious circle that prevents players at the bottom of the rankings from progressing."
“Unfulfilled commitments by Premier Padel"
“We recognize the financial difficulties of promoters, in particular the logistical costs associated with welcoming players. However, Premier Padel should help the organizers very concretely, because it actually places the big costs on the organizers of the events. Premier Padel is notable for its lack of investment.
Let us recall that certain promises, such as the support of hotels for the qualifications, were abandoned. If Premier Padel really believes in the development of padel, they too must invest money and not just collect the work of the organizers."
“A huge step backwards: the FIP, a mere subordinate of Premier Padel"
“The new format of Premier Padel is a huge step backwards. There needs to be better financial involvement from Premier Padel in order to guarantee a truly open circuit, capable of supporting the global development of padel. This change is essential so that all players, regardless of their ranking, have a fair chance to progress.
And then, obviously, the big absentee remains the International Federation of Padel. Of course, she multiplies the grand speeches and attributes to herself at full speed the enormous work carried out by the organizers throughout the world. But the observation is clear: now that the World Padel Tour is no longer there, the FIP and Premier Padel seem to have forgotten the fundamentals that justify their position today. Once again, players may have to raise their voices to shake up the governing bodies. And that is very regrettable.”

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.