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A P250 tournament awards 250 points to the winning pair in the padel rankings of the Fédération Française de Tennis. The other participants also earn points, according to their final position and the number of pairs entered in the draw. The P250 is the third category of the FFT-sanctioned circuit, after the P25 and the P100: it is aimed at players who already compete regularly. Points remain valid for a rolling period, which means players must keep competing to maintain their ranking.
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Key takeaways
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What is a P250 tournament?
In the world of padel, several events are organised to bring people together and create enthusiasm among players from every region. The best example is padel tournaments. Often organised by clubs, tournaments are for many players an opportunity to meet up and play together. It is also the moment for padeleros to put into practice everything they have learnt during their training sessions or in friendly matches with friends.
But where there is a tournament, there is a padel ranking, and players also come to compete and win the tournament. The number following the P is the number of points the winners add to their total. The other participants also earn points based on their final position in the tournament.
The P250 occupies a pivotal position in the FFT hierarchy. It is the first level at which the standard becomes genuinely consistent and where you encounter players who train with a padel academy or a coach. The days are longer than at P25 and the matches more hard-fought, which completely changes the preparation required.
How are points calculated in P250?
A point that is often misunderstood: the number of points awarded to non-winning positions varies considerably depending on the size of the draw. A semi-final in a 32-pair tournament does not earn the same points as a semi-final in an 8-pair tournament. This is why players aiming for rapid progression in the French rankings favour tournaments with the largest draws.
P250: what are the differences compared to other tournament categories?
First of all, the number of points. Beyond the amount awarded to the winner, the points for the other participants also differ. Each tournament category has its own scoring system, such as the P25 or the P1000, which we have also covered in other articles. If the number of points changes, the level changes too. P250s are the third tournament category in terms of playing level: it is advisable to have reached level 7, or even 7.5, to be competitive. Tournament organisers keep a close eye on registrations in order to maintain as much balance as possible in the draw. If you are not yet at the required level, don't panic — other tournaments are available, such as the P100, which award fewer points but are more accessible in terms of level.
To assess your level accurately, our article on padel levels details the scale used by French clubs. A half-level gap shows up very quickly in a P250 draw: the main difference from the P100 is not about power, but about consistency and reading of the game — something our guide on doubles strategies covers in depth.
What are P250 tournaments in padel?
P250 tournaments, like other tournaments, are quite frequently organised by many clubs across France. In larger clubs, organisers try to run a tournament — or more — every week, which can mean a P250 every six weeks or even every month. For smaller clubs, you will need to be more patient or travel a little further afield. The official calendar can be found on Ten'Up, filtered by category and regional league. Clubs also communicate well in advance, and our article on organising a padel tournament explains the logistics behind these events.
What formats are used for P250s?
Several formats are possible for P250 matches, although some are preferred over others. For tournaments other than P25, formats A1, A2, B1 or B2 are generally favoured. However, in any configuration, points are counted normally.
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Format |
Match format |
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A1 |
3 sets of 6 games |
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A2 |
3 sets of 6 games, no-ad scoring |
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B1 |
2 sets of 6 games; 3rd set = match tiebreak to 10 points |
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B2 |
2 sets of 6 games, no-ad scoring; 3rd set = match tiebreak to 10 points |
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C1 |
2 sets of 4 games, tiebreak at 4/4; 3rd set = match tiebreak to 10 points |
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C2 |
2 sets of 4 games, no-ad scoring, tiebreak at 4/4; 3rd set = match tiebreak to 10 points |
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D1 |
1 set of 9 games, tiebreak to 7 points at 8/8 |
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D2 |
1 set of 9 games, no-ad scoring, tiebreak to 7 points at 8/8 |
In practice, B2 is the most common format in P250: it allows a full draw to be completed in a single day without sacrificing match quality. The no-ad point, which removes advantage at deuce, shortens games and puts real pressure on the server. Two direct consequences: the reliability of the serve becomes decisive, and communication with your partner carries more weight than in a longer format.
How do you enter a P250 tournament?
Three conditions must be met. A valid FFT padel licence, issued by an affiliated club: this is what registers you in the rankings. A partner, since entry is always by pair. And a level compatible with the draw, which the organiser verifies from your ranking.
Registration is done via Ten'Up or directly with the organising club, with entry fees set freely by the club. A referee is present on site to manage the draw and scheduling, and balls are provided for each match. From P500 onwards, an additional criterion comes into play: the pair weight, i.e. the sum of both players' rankings, which is used to decide between applicants when demand exceeds available places.
Frequently asked questions
How many points does a P250 tournament award?
The winning pair of a P250 earns 250 points in the padel rankings of the Fédération Française de Tennis. Pairs eliminated before the final also earn points, according to their final position and the number of pairs entered in the draw: a 32-pair tournament distributes more points at each tour than an 8-pair tournament.
What level do you need to play in a P250?
A level of 7 or above on the scale used by French clubs, which corresponds to a regular competitive player who is comfortable with rebounds off the glass and capable of sustaining a structured rally. Below that, the P100 is more suitable. Organisers filter registrations based on rankings to preserve the balance of the draw.
What is the difference between a P250 and a P100?
First, the number of points awarded: 250 versus 100 for the winning pair. Then the level: the P100 brings together players at levels 6 to 7, while the P250 is for players from level 7 upwards. Finally, the selectivity, as P250 organisers scrutinise rankings more closely. The match formats, however, are the same.
Are P250 points earned permanently?
No. The FFT padel rankings operate on a rolling period: a result stops counting once the regulatory time limit has passed and is removed from the player's total. It is therefore necessary to compete in tournaments regularly to maintain or improve one's ranking, even when a strong performance was achieved the previous year.
Summary
The P250 awards 250 points to the winning pair and distributes the remainder according to final position and draw size. It is the third category of the FFT-sanctioned circuit, accessible from level 7, with match formats primarily in A1, A2, B1 and B2. An FFT licence, a partner and a compatible ranking are the three entry requirements. And since the rankings operate on a rolling period, consistency counts as much as a one-off performance.
To approach this level in the best possible conditions, equipment is no longer a minor detail: a racket suited to intermediate or advanced players provides the ball exit that entry-level equipment often lacks, and a good choice of balls avoids surprises on tournament bounces.
