Padel tournament formats
The four formats clubs use for social nights, and when to pick each one.
| Format | Partners | Pairings | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americano | New every round | Fixed in advance | Social nights, meeting new players |
| Mexicano | New every round | Drawn from the table | Mixed ability groups, close games |
| Mixed Americano | New mixed partner | Fixed in advance | Mixed socials |
| Team Americano | Same all event | Round robin | Leagues, fixed partnerships |
Points or time?
Playing to a points total keeps every court finishing together, which suits Americano and Mexicano. Playing to time is simpler when courts are booked in fixed slots: set the timer, play, and enter whatever the score is when it sounds.
Picking the points total
- 16 points: about 10 minutes, good for big groups or short bookings.
- 24 points: about 14 minutes, the most popular choice for a two hour session.
- 32 points: about 18 minutes, for longer, more competitive matches.
Odd numbers
Every format here handles odd numbers. Spare players sit out in rotation, and the live table can rank by average points per match so nobody loses out by resting.