Licensed players from the Hauts-de-France League will send an official letter to contest a rule governing Men's P500 padel tournaments. The issue at hand is the ban on holding these competitions on weekdays, a provision specific to this league, according to the signatories.

Sébastien Tison initiated this letter and petition. He believes that this rule limits competitors' opportunities to play, directly impacts the national ranking, and creates unequal treatment, both with players from other regions and with players from their own league.

In this reasoned document, the players request the removal of this clause and the opening of a dialogue with regional authorities, in order to reassess a system which they consider detrimental to their sporting progress.

It highlights a regulatory issue specific to a region. In a letter addressed to the Hauts-de-France Tennis League, several licensed players are requesting a review of a rule governing the organization of Men's P500 category padel tournaments.

A local rule at the heart of the debates

The point of contention concerns a provision in the League's 2026 approval annex: the prohibition of organizing Men's P500 events on weekdays, except on public holidays.

According to the signatories, this rule only applies to the final bracket, i.e. the main phase of the tournament, where points are awarded for the national ranking.

Another point raised: an internal distinction in the regulations. Women's P500 tournaments are not subject to this restriction and can be organized without limitation on weekdays.

A situation considered isolated on a national scale

The letter is based on a comparison between regional leagues. According to the evidence presented, no other league in France prohibits Men's P500 events during the week.

Regions such as Normandy, Île-de-France, Occitanie and PACA allow these competitions without any particular restrictions, and without a seasonal cap.

Conversely, in Hauts-de-France, the P500 Men's category is:

  • prohibited during the week
  • limited to three tournaments per season
  • subject to distance and scheduling constraints

These cumulative rules are presented as mechanically reducing the number of competitive opportunities.

An impact mentioned on the national ranking

The authors of the letter remind us of the central role of P500 tournaments in the FFT ranking system.

Since the reform of March 1, 2026, these tournaments have seen their importance strengthened, particularly due to a more complex points system and a key role in:

  • access to P1000 tournaments
  • the progression in the national ranking
  • the qualifications for the French Championships

Since the ranking is based on the 12 best results over 12 months, any limitation on the number of tournaments available is likely to have a direct effect on the progress of players.

Advanced inequality of treatment

The letter highlights two types of differences:

  • between male players from Hauts-de-France and those from other regions
  • between male and female players within the same league

The signatories believe that, at an equivalent level, a player operating in another region can participate in more P500s and accumulate more points, without equivalent constraints.

A question broadened to include federal principles

The document also refers to several reference texts from the French Tennis Federation, including:

  • the federal statutes, which mention a principle of non-discrimination
  • the code of ethics, which emphasizes accessibility to sports practice

The authors believe that the regional rule could conflict with these principles by limiting access to certain competitions for a category of players.

The requests made

The signatory players put forward several proposals:

  • removal of the clause prohibiting P500 men on weekdays
  • communication of a possible sporting justification
  • opening a consultation with the stakeholders concerned

They also suggest alternatives aimed at framing the calendar without total restriction, such as a limit on the number of tournaments per week or rules for geographical distribution.

Behind the scenes, some sources suggest a system has been put in place to address observed irregularities in tournament organization. This argument has not yet been the subject of any detailed official communication from the relevant authorities.

In this context, the debate remains open between the need for regulation and sporting fairness for licensed players. The signatories of the letter, for their part, are calling for clarification and a possible evolution of the current framework.

Padel Magazine will return to this subject soon in order to gather the league's direct viewpoint, and to understand precisely the motivations and objectives pursued by this regulation.

Team Padel Mag

The team Padel Magazine has been trying to offer you the best of padel since 2013, but also surveys and analyses to try to understand the world of padel. From the game to the politics of our sport, Padel Magazine is at your service.

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