FIP: The International Padel Federation
The FIP (Fédération Internationale de Padel) is the world governing body for padel. It oversees rules, rankings, and international competition, including the World Padel Championships.
Key takeaways
- World governing body for padel, founded in 1991
- 60+ member nations across all continents
- Oversees rules, rankings, and World Padel Championships
- Launched Premier Padel as the official professional tour
- FIP certification is the global standard for coaches
Want to practice this? A coach can show you in one session.
The Fédération Internationale de Padel (FIP) is the global governing body for padel. Founded in 1991, it oversees the rules of the game, maintains the official world rankings, and sanctions international competitions including the World Padel Championships.
The FIP currently has over 60 member nations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Its role includes promoting the growth of padel worldwide, standardising rules and court specifications, and working with national federations to develop the sport at all levels.
In recent years, the FIP has been at the centre of padel's governance evolution. The creation of Premier Padel (the FIP's official professional tour, backed by the Qatar Sports Investment group) in 2022 marked a significant shift, establishing a unified international tour alongside (and sometimes in competition with) existing tours.
For players and coaches, the FIP's main relevance is in certification standards, rule governance, and the international tournament calendar. FIP-certified coaches are recognised worldwide, and FIP rules are the universal reference for how padel is played.
Frequently asked questions
Is FIP certification important for padel coaches?
FIP certification is widely recognised as the gold standard for padel coaching qualifications. On Padel Coach Finder, we verify FIP certifications as part of our coach verification process.
Ready to put this into practice?
Find a verified padel coach near you. Search by city, compare certifications and reviews, and book your first lesson for free.
Find a CoachRelated topics
Premier Padel: The Unified Professional Tour
Premier Padel is the official professional padel tour sanctioned by the FIP. Launched in 2022, it aims to unify professional padel under one global calendar.
Organisations & ToursWorld Padel Tour (WPT): The Original Pro Circuit
The World Padel Tour was the premier professional padel circuit from 2013 to 2023. It hosted top-level competition across Europe and beyond, showcasing the world's best players.
Levels & RatingsFIP Ranking: How Professional Padel Rankings Work
The FIP ranking is the official world ranking for professional padel players, maintained by the International Padel Federation. It's based on results in FIP-sanctioned tournaments worldwide.