Adrian Geigle
Founder of PadelFinder.io · February 2026 · 6 min read
Your First Padel Tournament
How it works — from registration to the rankings
Thinking about entering a padel tournament but have no idea how it all works? You're in the right place. I'll walk you through every step — from signing up to checking your ranking after the event.
Before You Start: What You Need
To compete in official tournaments in Germany, you need two things: a licence from the German Padel Federation (DPV) and an account on RankedIn, the central platform for tournament registration and rankings.
DPV Licence
Required for most tournaments. Only exception: GPS 50 events work without one — perfect for trying it out.
dpv-padel.deWhich Tournament Is Right for Me?
Tournaments in Germany run under the German Padel Series (GPS). The number after 'GPS' tells you how many ranking points the winner receives — giving you a good sense of how competitive the field is.
From GPS 50 (beginners) to GPS 1500 (pros), there's something for everyone. The higher the category, the stronger the opponents.
Point Limits
To keep competition fair, lower categories usually have point limits — a cap on the combined ranking points of both partners. The exact limits are set by the organiser, so they can vary from tournament to tournament.
Not sure about your level yet? Start with a GPS 50 or GPS 100. You'll be in good hands.
How Do I Get Into a Tournament?
This is where it gets interesting, because there are two different registration methods — and knowing them can be crucial:
Admission by ranking
At many tournaments — especially in the higher categories — spots are allocated by ranking points. The strongest teams get in. It's not about who registers first, but who has the best ranking.
First come, first serve
Especially at smaller tournaments: first come, first served. Once the spots are full, that's it — regardless of your ranking.
You can register solo first and add your partner later. Your registration already counts as a team entry — at first-come-first-serve tournaments, this secures your spot.
Popular tournaments sell out within hours. Set up a tournament alert on PadelFinder.io and get notified by email as soon as new tournaments are listed.
Registration doesn't mean confirmation: the final acceptance often comes just a few days before the tournament. Check your status on RankedIn regularly.
Match Day
On RankedIn you can see the official tournament start time. But you'll only find out your personal match time after the draw — so plan some buffer.
Arrive at least 20 minutes before your match so you have time to warm up.
When you arrive, find the tournament director — they're your go-to person for everything. Pay the entry fee (if not already done online), find out your court and ask if there's a free court for warming up.
How the Matches Work
The exact format is set by the organiser and can vary. In most cases, matches are played in best-of-three format: first to win two sets advances.
If it's 1:1 after two sets, a champions tiebreak to 10 points decides.
Golden Point
Also widely used in Germany: at deuce (40:40), a golden point is played — the returning team chooses which side to receive on, and a single point decides the game.
Lost? No Drama.
The great thing about padel tournaments: losing in the first round doesn't mean it's over. Most tournaments have a consolation round where you play against other teams that were also eliminated early. You'll typically get at least two matches per tournament.
After the Tournament: How the Ranking Works
On the Monday after the tournament, the German ranking on RankedIn is updated. You can then see your collected points and track how you're developing in the national ranking.
Best 8 count
Only your best eight tournament results count for your ranking. Quantity alone won't get you far — if you win eight GPS 100 tournaments, you'll have 800 points regardless of how many more you play.
Categories & Genders
Most tournaments offer separate categories:
Men
Women
Mixed
Some tournaments also offer age categories (e.g. Over 40, Over 50). The GPS point limits ensure you always compete at your level.
Tips for Your First Tournament
Packing list
Racket, balls (just in case), change of shirt, water bottle, snacks, towel. Don't forget an overgrip — you'll sweat more than you think.
Getting there
Arrive early. Traffic, parking, changing — it all takes time. Better 30 minutes early than 5 minutes late.
Mindset
Your first tournament is for learning, not winning. Enjoy the atmosphere, meet other players and have fun.
Fair play
Padel has a strong fair-play culture. When in doubt, give the point. Greet your opponents and tap rackets after the match.
Ready for your first tournament?
On PadelFinder.io you'll find all upcoming padel tournaments in Germany at a glance. With our calendar subscription, they'll automatically appear in your calendar.
Go to Tournament Calendar