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Padel is played with four players: two teams of two, on an enclosed 20-metre by 10-metre court. It is the only format recognised in competition, by both the International Padel Federation and the FFT. Casual variations exist with two or three players, but outside the official framework. Here are the rules, player positioning on court, and four-player scoring.
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Key takeaways
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Padel is played with 4 players, in doubles
Two teams of two on a 20 m x 10 m court
Four players, two on each side of the net, on an enclosed court surrounded by glass and mesh. This is not just custom, it is the rule. The court measures 20 metres by 10, with a net height regulation between 88 and 92 centimetres. Two players easily cover their half of the court, which makes the rallies so long. Our article on padel court specifications details all the dimensions.
Why doubles is the only official format
Padel was designed for doubles from day one. The glass walls extend shot trajectories, the serve is underarm below the waist, and the ball is played after rebounding: everything lengthens the rallies. With two players, covering the court becomes unsustainable. The official padel rules make no exceptions, including in official FFT-sanctioned tournaments.
Right side, backhand side: how to divide the court as a pair
Playing with four means choosing your side, and this choice shapes the entire gameplay of the pair. The right-side player covers the right lane and plays mainly forehands: they provide consistency, return balls, and build the point. The left-side player, known as the backhand side, takes the central balls and handles smashes. They are generally the more attacking player in the duo.
Three principles apply at every level: partners move together, as if connected by a three-metre rope; central balls belong to the player on the left, unless called out loud; you never cross the court to retrieve a ball in your partner's half.
Can you play padel with 2 or 3 players?
Singles padel, on a narrower court
Singles padel is played on dedicated courts about 6 metres wide, compared to 10 for a standard court. These facilities remain rare in France. Scoring does not change, nor does serving, but the game becomes far more physical and much less tactical: angles disappear, as does point construction. We have detailed 1-on-1 padel in a dedicated article.
Playing with 3: the training option
With three, forget about playing a match. The setup is still great for practice: two players at the net against one at the back, or one player feeding balls while the other two hit volleys. Many coaches use it for drilling wall rebounds.
How many points is a padel match played to?
The question of the number of players almost always brings up scoring. Padel uses tennis scoring, with a frequent twist in tournaments: the golden point at 40-40, the famous punto de oro.
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Unit |
Rule |
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Point |
15, 30, 40, game |
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Deuce |
Advantage, or golden point depending on the tournament format |
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Game |
First to 6 games wins the set, with a 2-game lead |
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Tie-break |
Played at 6-6, first to 7 points with a 2-point lead |
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Match |
Best of 3 sets, sometimes a 10-point match tie-break in the 3rd set |
Each scenario is detailed in our guide on how to keep score in padel.
What you need to play with four players
A 90-minute slot, four rackets, a can of fresh balls and proper padel shoes. If it is your first match, our guide to getting started in padel covers everything step by step. Equipment is personal: everyone plays with their own, suited to their level. Our selection of padel rackets for beginners brings together round, forgiving models that tolerate off-centre hits. For footwork, padel outsoles handle sharp changes of direction on synthetic turf, where running shoes quickly give way: our padel shoes section covers all levels.
Frequently asked questions
Is padel always played with 4 players?
In competition, yes, without exception: padel is played with four players, in two teams of two. In casual play, there is nothing to stop you playing with two on a standard court or with three in training, but these formats are not official and award no points towards federation rankings.
Can you play padel with two players on a standard court?
It is possible, and many players do it to work on their defence or fitness. Each player then covers half of a 10-metre-wide court, which becomes very demanding. Rallies are shorter, movement is greater, and much of the tactical appeal of padel is lost.
How long does a 4-player padel match last?
A best-of-three-sets match generally lasts between one hour and an hour and a half, which explains the 90-minute court bookings offered by clubs. The format matters a lot: a 10-point match tie-break instead of a third set significantly shortens the game.
Summary
Padel is played with four players, in doubles, on a 20-metre by 10-metre court, with scoring identical to tennis. Variations with two or three players exist for casual play, but none are recognised in competition. All that is left is to choose your side and get equipped. For your first booking, our beginner selection brings together rackets, balls and accessories in one single section.
