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What is A1 Padel?
A1 Padel is an international professional padel circuit created in 2020 under the name APT Padel Tour. It was launched by Monaco-based businessman Fabrice Pastor, already involved in the development of padel through the Fabrice Pastor Cup. Renamed A1 Padel in 2023, the circuit aims to offer a strong alternative to dominant circuits such as the World Padel Tour and Premier Padel, with a more global, open and inclusive approach. A1 Padel aims to democratise professional padel by multiplying opportunities for players from around the world, particularly those from countries outside the traditional Spanish and Argentinian strongholds.
Origins and objectives of the circuit
The founding idea of A1 Padel is to offer a circuit that combines performance, spectacle and accessibility. By focusing on emerging destinations and offering a more flexible economic model for players, the circuit stands out through its ambition to internationalise padel as much as possible. Fabrice Pastor, its creator, aims to make it one of the major circuits worldwide in the coming years, while promoting young talents and redefining the codes of professional padel with a more free, innovative and visually striking style.
How does the A1 Padel circuit work?
The A1 Padel circuit is structured around several tournament categories: “Future” tournaments for young prospects, “Open” and “Master”, which are the pillars of the season, as well as “Grand Master” events, which bring together the best pairs of the moment. Each tournament awards points for the official A1 Padel ranking, which determines access to major events and the prestigious end-of-season Master Final. The formats are competitive yet accessible, with draws of 32 or 48 teams depending on the category, and an attractive prize policy: the best players can earn up to €500,000 if they take part in the majority of tournaments. The ranking system rewards consistency throughout the season.
Where are A1 Padel tournaments held?
One of the strengths of the A1 Padel circuit is its presence across several continents. Events take place in Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. There are iconic tournaments in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and São Paulo, as well as in Beausoleil (France), Lanzarote (Spain), Monte-Carlo and New York, where a tournament was held in the heart of Central Park. Destinations such as Senegal, South Africa, Panama and Bahrain enrich the calendar, offering unique diversity in the world of professional padel. These selected locations help create a distinctive atmosphere around the events, with spectacular settings and a warm atmosphere.
The star players of A1 Padel
The A1 Padel circuit has attracted both established talents and promising young players. The Argentine duo Maximiliano Arce and Franco Dal Bianco regularly dominate the rankings thanks to their consistency and ability to shine at major events. Another remarkable pair, Juan Ignacio de Pascual and Gonzalo Alfonso, rising young stars of Argentine padel, made their mark on the 2025 season with a resounding victory at the Grand Master de Beausoleil. Spaniard Pablo Lijó, a former Premier Padel player, caused a sensation by joining A1 Padel, becoming the first Spaniard to win a tournament on the circuit. Names such as Tolito Aguirre, Adolphe Allemandi and Santi Pineda also add depth to the field, making every tournament unpredictable and intense.
Why is A1 Padel becoming increasingly popular?
The growing success of A1 Padel is due to several factors. First, the aesthetics of the circuit: the distinctive red courts, modern facilities, meticulous organisation and spectacular settings attract spectators and media alike. Then, the spectacle on offer is highly intense, with matches often more open and dynamic than on other circuits. Accessibility is also a major asset: entry to some tournaments is free, broadcasts are available via YouTube or platforms such as Mitele (Mediaset), and the closeness between players and fans is encouraged. Finally, for players, the format is attractive thanks to greater freedom of participation, a clear financial policy and genuine opportunities to progress internationally.
