How to Enter Your First Padel Tournament (UK 2026)

Two things, mainly:

• An LTA Advantage membership. To play any LTA-sanctioned competition you need a paid LTA Advantage membership - the free Fan tier does not cover competitive play. You sign up once on the LTA site and it covers you for the year.
• A partner. Padel is doubles, so you enter as a pair. If you don't have one, our guide to finding a padel partner covers clubs, apps and social nights where partnerships form. Some entry events also pair up solo entrants.

Beyond that, you just need your own kit and a willingness to play - no ranking or prior experience is required for the entry grades.

The LTA grades run backwards, from Grade 6 (entry) up to Grade 1 (pro). The two you care about as a beginner:

• Grade 6 - introductory competitions, often run as Americanos or social mix-ins. The focus is participation and fun rather than points, making them the gentlest possible first step.
• Grade 5 (Local Tour) - the designed entry point to ranked competition. Acceptance is first-come, first-served rather than by ranking, so anyone can enter, and the format guarantees you multiple matches. This is the bedrock of the UK rankings system.

Most players start with a Grade 6 or a Grade 5 Local Tour event. Both let you learn how tournaments run without being thrown in against seasoned competitors. See our LTA padel pathway guide for how the grades fit together.

It is a straightforward online process:

• Go to the LTA Padel competitions page and use the filters - select Padel, choose your grade (start with Grade 5 or 6), and filter by region or postcode to find events near you.
• Book early. Beginner slots are popular and can fill within hours of opening, so set a reminder for when entries go live rather than leaving it to the last minute.
• Enter as a pair with your partner's details, pay the entry fee, and you're in.

Our UK tournament calendar helps you spot what's coming up so you can plan around it.

Entry-level events are designed so you get your money's worth of court time. The common format is a Compass Draw: if you lose your first match you are not sent home - you move into a different bracket (West, North and so on) and keep playing. That guarantees every pair at least three matches, win or lose. Some events use round-robin groups for the same reason.

Expect a fast pace. Matches are often shortened - a single set to six games, or a FAST4-style format - so concentration matters from the very first point. Because of the multi-match guarantee, a Grade 5 day can run for several hours (sometimes up to six), so pace yourself and bring food and water. It is a relaxed, friendly environment and a great place to learn the rules in a live setting.

A little preparation makes the day far more enjoyable:

• Know the rules. Brush up on scoring and the wall rules so nothing on court surprises you - our scoring guide covers the essentials.
• Play a few games with your partner first so you have some understanding of each other's positioning before match day.
• Pack properly. Spare grips, a second top, water, snacks and sun protection if you're outdoors - you could be there hours.
• Warm up. A quick mobility and hitting routine before your first match prevents both poor starts and injuries.
• Manage expectations. Your first tournament is about experience, not silverware. Enjoy the matches, watch better players, and you'll improve just by being there.