The announcement of the introduction of Star Point System from the 2026 season on the circuit Premier Padel has reignited a central debate in professional padel: that of score format.
While initial communications suggested a reform aimed at improving the readability of matches and preserving the physical condition of players, the precise outlines of the system remained unclear until now.

Now, one important element has been confirmed: the Star Point constitutes indeed a distinct scoring format, officially recognized by the International Federation of Padel (FIP), and different from the NO AD currently applied on the FIP Tour.

The current framework: NO AD on the FIP Tour, classic advantage on Premier Padel

To date, two main formats coexist in international padel:

  • On the FIP Tour (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), the current format is the NOAD, also called golden point.
    Its operation is strictly codified:
    • classic game up to 40–40;
    • a single decisive point;
    • the restarting pair chooses the side;
    • The point immediately awards the game.
    This format is compulsory, non-modular and does not know no regulatory variant on FIP tournaments.
  • Speaking on Premier Padel, the traditional system to advantage remains currently in force, with games potentially extending over several consecutive ties.

The Star Point: a new format recognized by the FIP

Contrary to initial assumptions, the Star Point does not correspond to a simple change of name of punto de oro.
This is a intermediate format, officially recognised by the FIP, located between the classic advantage and the Golden Point.

Its principle is now clearly identified:

  • after several successive ties (deuce 1, deuce 2, deuce 3),
  • un decisive final pointCalled Star Pointis played.

The specific features of Star Point are as follows:

  • la The restarting pair chooses the side ;
  • no change of position is not allowed;
  • en mixed matchthe receiver must be of the same sex as the server.

This format aims for a dual objective:

  • retain a degree of tactical construction and tension in the game;
  • limit the excessive proliferation of equalities, a source of very long matches.

A partial response to the players' reflections

This development echoes certain positions expressed in recent months by several players, including Franco Stupaczuk.
The Argentinian had publicly expressed support for an intermediate system, allowing the spirit of padel to be preserved while avoiding endless games.

He had notably mentioned the idea of limit the number of benefitsbefore concluding with a decisive point.
If this proposal had not then no regulatory valueStar Point now follows a similar logic, while also being framed by a recognized format.

What has been confirmed, and what remains to be clarified

At this stage, several elements can be established with certainty:

  • le NO AD / punto de oro the rule remains on the FIP Tour ;
  • le Star Point current is a format officially recognized by the FIP ;
  • Its introduction is planned from 2026 on Premier Padel ;
  • the reform aims to reduce the duration of matches, improve the TV predictability and limit the Physical load of the players.

However, some points still need to be confirmed by a complete regulatory text:

  • many exact conditions of application Star Points according to tournament categories;
  • the possible coexistence of several formats depending on the circuits;
  • the precise framework for its integration into the entire international calendar.

A pivotal moment for professional scoring

The appearance of Star Point marks an important step in the reflection carried out by the professional padel authorities on the evolution of the game.
By introducing an intermediate format, the FIP and Premier Padel seem to be looking for a balance between tradition and modernization, without completely shifting towards the immediate Golden Point.

Future official communications will reveal whether this system will eventually become a new standard of high-level padel, or if it will remain confined to certain specific circuits.

Pending the full publication of the regulations, one thing remains certain: the Star Point is neither a simple rebranding of Punto de Oro, nor an assumption, but a good one new recognized format, which is expected to structure professional padel from 2026.

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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