Padel Federations: Who Governs the Sport?

Padel's governing structure mirrors that of most international sports: an apex international body sets the rules, manages the world ranking, and oversees international competition, while national federations handle domestic registration, competition, coaching certification, and grassroots development.

The International Padel Federation (FIP), founded in 1991, is the global governing body. It defines the official rules of padel, manages the FIP world ranking, and governs international team competitions including the World Padel Championship. FIP works alongside the World Padel Tour (WPT) and Premier Padel circuits, though the relationship between governing bodies and professional tours has been complex and evolving.

In the United Kingdom, padel falls under the remit of the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association), which has integrated padel alongside tennis since the sport began growing in Britain. The LTA manages coaching certification levels (Level 1–3), venue registration, and the affiliated league system. Spain's governing body is the Real Federación Española de Pádel (FEP), arguably the world's most influential national federation given Spain's dominance in the sport. Argentina's Asociación de Pádel (APF) governs the game in one of padel's oldest markets.

For players, federations matter most when it comes to official ranking, tournament entry, and coaching certification. Coaches holding LTA certification in the UK, FEP in Spain, or equivalent national qualifications have met specific standards set by their federation — an important quality indicator when choosing a coach.