It is not aimed at the world elite, nor at young people in training, nor at players seeking professional FIP points. FIP Beyond and the new international amateur circuit that the International Padel Federation plans to launch from 2026with a clear ambition: to structure global amateur practice on an international scale.

This announcement is officially included in the FIP World Padel Report 2025This marks a major strategic shift in the overall organization of padel. Previously focused on elite competition and training, the FIP is now expanding its scope to the heart of the pyramid: adult amateur players.

A circuit designed for the majority of participants.

With over 35 million amateur players recorded worldwide, compared to approximately 850,000 players registered with federations affiliated with the FIPThe gap is considerable. FIP Beyond specifically targets this population, often absent from international circuits, but which constitutes the economic, sporting and social base of world padel.

The positioning is clear: to offer a official international experience, without requirements of professional ranking, nor is it based on an elitist performance logic. This circuit is aimed at established club players, to regular amateur competitors, but also to profiles in career transition or at the end of professional career.

A new building block in the FIP ecosystem

With the launch of FIP Beyond, the International Federation now structures its offering around four distinct levels. Premier Padel embodies the world's professional elite. The CUPRA FIP Tour It remains the gateway to the top level and international ranking. FIP Promises is dedicated to young people and international training. FIP BeyondFinally, becomes the The first FIP ​​circuit officially reserved for adult amateurs.

This new circuit is not intended to deliver FIP professional ranking points, which clearly differentiates it from the FIP Tour. It is first and foremost a logic of participation, of structuring and institutional recognition.

A strategic lever for the globalization of padel

Beyond Europe and South America, padel is experiencing rapid growth in Asia, a Africa, a North America and Middle-EastIn these areas, there are many players, but competitive structures often remain scattered, local or private.

FIP Beyond would allow the FIP to propose a common framework based on the national federations (in theory…), while avoiding the economic and sporting constraints of the professional circuit. It's a structuring tool Globally… Won't this tool disrupt the circuits and organization put in place by the national federations?

The details still need to be clarified.

At this stage, several elements remain to be defined. The exact format of the tournaments, any categories of levels or ages registration conditionsAnd the specific role of national federations details within the local organization have not yet been provided.

These points should be clarified gradually throughout the year. 2026, at the time of the operational deployment of the circuit.

A response to the evolution of modern padel

With FIP Beyond, FIP doesn't want to cater solely to the top of the pyramid. Amateur, competitive but non-professional practice becomes a central issueThis new circuit addresses a real need: playing, travelling and competing in an official settingwithout ranking pressure or excessive financial constraints.

More than just an amateur circuit, FIP Beyond registers as a political, sporting and institutional tool to gain control of an amateur ecosystem that has so far eluded it. To be continued.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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