Padel Tennis: World Ranking Tournaments - What is the Premier Padel Tour?

Love Padel? Then you're definitely familiar with the breathtaking volleys, spectacular salidas, and mind-boggling speed the pros bring to the court! At OLIVER SPORT, we explain what makes the Premier Padel tournament circuit—which has rapidly emerged as the world's premier and most prestigious padel tour—so special, and why you should definitely be tuning in.

Who Pulls the Strings in Global Padel?

The Premier Padel Tour was founded in 2022. Since 2024, it has been the sole official global professional tour after acquiring and integrating the structure of the World Padel Tour (WPT). Premier Padel represents the pinnacle of competitive padel. Driving it forward are two core organizations responsible for its global expansion and official rulebook:

• FIP (Fédération Internationale de Padel): The global governing body, responsible for the official rules of the game and the Padel World Rankings (FIP Ranking).
• QSI (Qatar Sports Investments): The financial and strategic engine powering the Premier Padel Tour, establishing tournaments at prestigious venues worldwide.

The tour was established in close collaboration with the Professional Padel Association (PPA), the union representing top male padel players, to champion player interests. Since 2024, top female players have also been fully integrated into the tour.

Who Are the Key Sponsors?

• Qatar Airways: The title sponsor and namesake of the tour, officially designated as the Qatar Airways Premier Padel Tour.
• Major international brands like Red Bull (as official broadcast partner and content creator) and auto manufacturers like CUPRA (frequently serving as regional title sponsors, e.g., in Germany) serve as key partners.
• Wilson: Provides the official match ball.

What Do You Need to Know About Premier Padel?

• Frequency: The tour runs on an annual season schedule featuring over 20 tournaments.
• Global Reach: Tournaments take place in over 15 countries worldwide (e.g., Qatar, Rome, Paris, Miami, Germany).
• Host Locations: Venues are selected to position padel in established sports markets as well as high-growth, financially strong regions.
• Categories (by Prestige & Points):
  • Major (Highest Tier): Tournaments offering the highest ranking points and prize money (e.g., Paris Major at Roland Garros).
  • P1: The second-highest tier, attracting top-ranked players across the board.
  • P2: Tournaments held in emerging markets targeted for padel growth.
• Season Finale: The season culminates with the Premier Padel Finals (e.g., in Barcelona).

Who Is Dominating the Courts?

The Premier Padel Tour is the ultimate stage for the world's finest padel athletes (the parejas). They battle across Major, P1, and P2 events for vital FIP ranking points.

At the top of the FIP rankings, the action is currently led by dominant pairs like Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia (victorious at the Doha Qatar Major), along with their fiercest contenders Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto. Juan Lebrón and Franco Stupaczuk remain top title contenders as well.

Why Should You Watch Padel Tournaments?

Premier Padel matches are currently live in Valladolid, Spain. Check here to see what events are currently being played. Alongside Premier Padel, other world-renowned circuits exist, such as the Cupra FIP Tour or Hexagon World Series. Watching top pros in action is the fastest way to elevate your own game. You can also stream matches live on RedBull TV. Pay attention to these professional elements:

• Tactics & Positioning: Pros rarely rely on raw power alone. They use court depth management and patience to create scoring opportunities.
• Wall Play (Bande): Glass walls aren't just for defense; they're used offensively. Spectacular out-of-court plays (salidas) and razor-sharp viboras are standard fare.

Premier Padel has successfully established padel as a true global sport. The circuit draws massive arena crowds and delivers a captivating experience through high-end broadcast coverage. It serves as ultimate proof that padel represents the modern, community-driven athletic movement of the future—supported worldwide by clear structures and precise regulation.