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A P250 tournament awards 250 points to the winning pair in the French Tennis Federation’s padel rankings. Other participants also earn points according to their final placing and the number of pairs in the draw. P250 is the third category on the officially sanctioned circuit, after P25 and P100, and is aimed at players who already compete regularly. Points remain valid on a rolling basis, so players must keep competing to maintain their ranking.
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Key points to remember
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What is a P250 tournament?
In the world of padel, events are organised to bring people together and create excitement among players in every region. Padel tournaments are the best example. Often organised by clubs, tournaments give many players a chance to meet up and play together. They also give padel players an opportunity to put into practice everything they have learnt in training or matches with friends.
But where there’s a tournament, there’s a padel ranking. Players also come to compete and win the tournament. The number after the P is the number of points the winners add to their total. Other participants also earn points according to where they finish.
P250 occupies a pivotal position in the FFT hierarchy. It is the first level where the standard of play becomes genuinely consistent and you encounter players who train at a padel academy or with a coach. Tournament days are longer than in P25 events and matches are more closely contested, which changes how you prepare.
How are P250 points calculated?
One point is often misunderstood: the points awarded for places below first vary considerably with the size of the draw. Reaching the semi-finals in a 32-pair tournament does not earn the same points as reaching the semi-finals in an 8-pair tournament. That is why players aiming to climb the French rankings quickly favour tournaments with larger draws.
P250: how does it differ from other tournament categories?
First, the number of points. It is not just the winners’ points that differ: the points awarded to other participants vary too. Each tournament category has its own points scale, as with the P25 and P1000, which we have also covered in other articles. As the points change, so does the standard of play. P250 is the third tournament category by playing level: ideally, you should be at level 7, or even 7.5, to be competitive. Tournament organisers carefully review entries to keep the draw as balanced as possible. If you are not at that level yet, don’t worry: other tournaments are available, such as P100 events, which award fewer points but offer a more accessible level of play.
To assess your level accurately, our article on padel levels explains the scale used by French clubs. A difference of half a level quickly shows in a P250 draw: the main difference from P100 is not power, but consistency and reading the game, skills covered in our guide to doubles strategies.
What are P250 padel tournaments?
Like other tournaments, P250 events are held fairly often by clubs across France. At larger clubs, organisers try to stage one or more tournaments a week, which can mean a P250 every six weeks or even every month. At smaller clubs, you may have to be more patient or travel a little further. The official calendar is available on Ten'Up, where you can filter by category and regional league. Clubs also announce events well in advance, and our article on organising a padel tournament explains the logistics behind them.
What formats are used in P250 tournaments?
Several match formats are possible in P250 tournaments, although some are preferred over others. For tournaments above P25, A1, A2, B1 and B2 are generally favoured. Whatever the format, however, points are scored in the usual way.
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Format |
Match format |
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A1 |
3 sets to 6 games |
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A2 |
3 sets to 6 games, deciding point |
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B1 |
2 sets to 6 games; 3rd set = 10-point match tie-break |
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B2 |
2 sets to 6 games, deciding point; 3rd set = 10-point match tie-break |
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C1 |
2 sets to 4 games, tie-break at 4–4; 3rd set = 10-point match tie-break |
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C2 |
2 sets to 4 games, deciding point, tie-break at 4–4; 3rd set = 10-point match tie-break |
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D1 |
1 set to 9 games, 7-point tie-break at 8–8 |
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D2 |
1 set to 9 games, deciding point, 7-point tie-break at 8–8 |
In practice, B2 is the most common P250 format: it allows a full draw to be completed in a day without compromising match quality. The deciding point eliminates advantage at 40–40, shortening games and putting real pressure on the server. This has two direct consequences: a reliable serve becomes crucial, and communication with your partner matters more than in a longer format.
How do you enter a P250 tournament?
You need to meet three requirements. A valid FFT padel licence issued by an affiliated club: this is what gives you a ranking. A partner, since entries are always made as a pair. And a playing level suited to the draw, which the organiser checks against your ranking.
You can enter through Ten'Up or directly with the organising club, which sets its own entry fee. A tournament referee is on site to manage the draw and schedule, and balls are provided for each match. From P500 upwards, an additional criterion comes into play: pair weight, meaning the sum of the two players’ ranking positions, which is used to decide who gets a place when applications exceed the available spots.
Frequently asked questions
How many points can you earn in a P250 tournament?
The winning pair in a P250 earns 250 points in the French Tennis Federation’s padel rankings. Pairs eliminated before the final also earn points according to their final placing and the number of pairs in the draw: a 32-pair tournament awards more points at each tour than an 8-pair tournament.
What level do you need to play in a P250?
Level 7 or above on the scale used by French clubs: a player who competes regularly, is comfortable with rebounds off the glass and can sustain a well-constructed rally. Below that level, P100 is a better fit. Organisers screen entries by ranking to preserve the balance of the draw.
What is the difference between a P250 and a P100?
First, the points awarded: 250 for the winning pair, compared with 100 in a P100. Then the standard of play: P100 attracts players at levels 6 to 7, while P250 is for players at level 7 and above. Finally, entry is more selective, as P250 organisers scrutinise rankings more closely. The match formats, however, are the same.
Do P250 points stay on your record permanently?
No. FFT padel rankings work on a rolling basis: once a result passes the specified time limit, it no longer counts towards a player’s total. You therefore need to play tournaments regularly to maintain or improve your ranking, even if you achieved a strong result the previous year.
In summary
P250 awards 250 points to the winning pair, with the remaining points distributed according to final placing and draw size. It is the third category on the officially sanctioned FFT circuit, open to players from level 7 upwards, with matches mainly played in A1, A2, B1 and B2 formats. An FFT licence, a partner and a suitable ranking are the three entry requirements. And because rankings work on a rolling basis, consistency matters as much as a single strong performance.
To compete at 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 output often lacking in entry-level models, while a good choice of balls helps avoid surprises with bounces during tournaments.
