Adrian Geigle
Founder of PadelFinder.io · March 2026 · 8 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 auf RankedInRankedIn Account
This is where you sign up, find tournaments and track your ranking. Every player needs their own account with their real name and correct date of birth — nicknames aren't allowed.
rankedin.comHow much does the licence cost?
Weekly licence: €18 (valid 7 days) — perfect for trying it out
Annual licence: €59 (365 days) — worth it from your third tournament
Youth licence: €12 per year (up to 17 years old)
You buy the licence directly via RankedIn — credit card required. A RankedIn Pro licence is automatically included.
Which 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, GPS 50 to 350 have point limits — a cap on the combined ranking points of both partners. Teams with junior players get higher limits.
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 which one applies depends on the tournament category:
First come, first serve (GPS 50–250)
For smaller categories: first to register gets in. Once the spots are full, that's it — regardless of your ranking. Popular tournaments often sell out within hours.
Admission by ranking (GPS 350+)
From GPS 350 upwards, spots are allocated by ranking points. The strongest teams get in. It's not about who registers first, but who has the best ranking.
Registration deadline & entry fee
Tournament starts Mon–Thu? Deadline is Friday 10 pm. Starts Fri–Sun? Deadline is Monday 10 pm. The entry fee is set by the organiser — max €45 per player per category.
You can register solo first and add your partner later. Your registration only counts as confirmed once both players have accepted.
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 30 minutes before your match. On court, you only get 5 minutes to warm up — if you want longer, use a free court beforehand.
Anyone not on court within 15 minutes of the scheduled match time loses by walkover (W.O.). Better way too early than just barely late.
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.
Heads up: most GPS tournaments don't have referees. Disputed calls are settled between the players — padel runs on fairness. When in doubt, give the point. The tournament director has the final say.
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 match tiebreak to 10 points decides (also called champions tiebreak). A full third set is only played in the final of one-day tournaments.
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.
Good to Know
30-minute rest
Between matches, you're entitled to at least 30 minutes rest. You can waive this and play sooner if both teams agree.
Max 4 matches per day
No more than four matches per team can be scheduled per tournament day. If there are five or more, the tournament spans two days.
Withdrawal
Can't make it after all? Withdrawing before the deadline is no problem — you get your entry fee back within 14 days. After the deadline, it's trickier: whether you get a refund is up to the organiser.
Balls are provided
You don't need to bring your own balls. The organiser provides at least three balls per match. The official GPS match ball is the adidas SPEED RX.
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 from the last 12 months count for your ranking. Older results drop off automatically. 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, change of shirt, water bottle, snacks, towel. Don't forget an overgrip — you'll sweat more than you think. No need to bring balls, the organiser provides them.
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