1. General Rules for All Categories

• Points System for Games: The scoring system for individual games follows standard padel/tennis rules:
  • 0 = Love
  • 15 = First point won
  • 30 = Second point won
  • 40 = Third point won
  • Game = Player/team wins the fourth point, provided they are ahead by at least 2 points.
  • If the score reaches deuce (40-40), the next point is played as a Killer Point, where the winner of the point immediately wins the game.
• Tie Breaks: In all matches that reach 6 games, a tiebreak is played to decide the winner of the set. The tiebreak is played as per standard padel rules, with the first player/team to reach 7 points (leading by at least 2 points) winning the set.

2. Categories and Match Format

Beginner Category

• Group Stages:
  • Best of 7 Games
• Last 32:
  • Best of 7 Games
• Last 16:
  • Best of 9 Games
• Quarterfinals & Semi-finals:
  • Best of 11 Games
• Grand Final:
  • Best out of 3 Sets (Each set follows the general padel/tennis rules of up to 6 games won first, with a tiebreak at 6-6)

Intermediate Category

• Group Stages:
  • Best of 7 Games
• Last 16:
  • Best of 9 Games
• Quarterfinals & Semi-finals:
  • Best of 11 Games
• Grand Final:
  • Best out of 3 Sets (Each set follows the general padel/tennis rules of up to 6 games won first, with a tiebreak at 6-6)

Match Tiebreak Rule

In the event of a tied score at:

3–3 in Best of 7 games matches,
4–4 in Best of 9 games matches, and
5–5 in Best of 11 games matches,

a deciding tiebreak to 5 points shall be played.

The player/team due to serve next according to the normal order of service shall serve the first point of the tiebreak. Thereafter, service alternates every two points. Players/teams change ends after every 4 points played.

3. Group Stages and Progression

• Advancement from Group Stages: In all categories, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages. The teams will be ranked based on their performance in the group stage.
• Points Allocation:
  • Win = 3 points for the winner, 0 points for the loser.

Tiebreaker Criteria for Equal Points:

In case two or more teams are tied in terms of points in the group stages (for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place), the following criteria will be used to determine who advances:

1. Games Won: The team with the higher number of games won throughout the group stage will take priority.
2. If Games Won Are Equal: If teams are still tied after considering games won, the next step is to look at head-to-head results (the result of the match between the tied teams).
3. If Head-to-Head Results Are Also Equal: If the head-to-head match is also a tie or if further clarification is needed, the next criterion is to compare point difference (the difference between points won and points lost during all group stage matches).
4. Final Resort – Sudden Death: In the unlikely event that teams are still tied after all criteria above, a playoff match will be arranged between the tied teams to determine who advances.

4. Cheating and Category Misrepresentation

• Player Category Guide: Players must compete in the category that best reflects their skill level. To assist teams and individuals in determining the correct category, we have created a Player Category Guide, which is publicly available and has been shared with all company representatives. You can view the guide here: Player Category Guide.
• Consequences for Misrepresentation: If it is discovered that a team has lied about their respective category to gain an unfair advantage, the team will be immediately disqualified from the current tournament.
• Further Consequences for Dishonesty: Additionally, any company or team found to be dishonest about their category will be banned from future editions of the IFR Padel Cup. We take fairness and integrity seriously to ensure the best possible experience for all participants.

5. General Conduct

• All players must behave in a sportsmanlike manner throughout the tournament. Unsportsmanlike conduct or breaches of these rules may result in disqualification.
• Players are required to arrive on time for all scheduled matches. Delays may lead to a loss by default.

6. Equipment

• Rental Rackets: For players who do not have their own rackets, complimentary rental rackets will be provided. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Padel Balls: Padel balls will be provided throughout the tournament. New balls will be introduced for all knockout stage matches to ensure the highest quality of play.

Personal Equipment: Players are responsible for bringing their own appropriate athletic wear and other equipment, aside from rackets.

7. Coin Toss to Determine Serving

• Determining Serve: At the start of each match, a coin toss will be held to determine which team will serve first. The winner of the toss will have the option to either serve first or receive. The loser of the toss will choose the side of the court they want to play on, and the match will proceed accordingly.