NI Padel
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Grades Explained

NI Padel tournaments run at four grades. Grade 1 is the highest level; Grade 4 is regular competition for intermediate players. The grade sets the standard of the draw and the ranking points on offer.

The grades

Which grade should I play?

  1. Grade 1

    NI Championships

    The highest level of NI Padel competition. Less frequent, intended to attract the best available players, with the largest prize funds and the most ranking points.

    1,500 Winner

  2. Grade 2

    NI Open Series

    Regular advanced-level competition. Some of NI’s best players alongside strong Grade 3 competitors ready to challenge themselves higher.

    700 Winner

  3. Grade 3

    NI Challenger Series

    Open to everyone, with no rating cap and nothing to qualify for. The place to test yourself against a higher standard, whether you have outgrown Grade 4 or just fancy the step up.

    300 Winner

  4. Grade 4

    NI Club Series

    Regular intermediate players, whether starting out in competition or competing at this level often. Both players must be Playtomic 4.0 or below, or equivalent.

    125 Winner

Players may enter a higher grade to challenge themselves, subject to available places and the tournament’s acceptance rules.

Not sure?

The quickest way to choose

  • Intermediate, and rated 4.0 or below on Playtomic or equivalent? Grade 4 NI Club Series
  • Want to test yourself a level up from Grade 4? Grade 3 NI Challenger Series
  • A strong competitive player, or regularly performing well at Grade 3? Grade 2 NI Open Series
  • Already competing at the top level and after the biggest draws and prize money? Grade 1 NI Championships

Points

Ranking points available

Awarded to each player individually, by grade and by how far the pair goes.

Result Grade 1 G1 Grade 2 G2 Grade 3 G3 Grade 4 G4
Winner Winner 1,500 700 300 125
Runner-up Runner-up 1,050 490 210 85
Semi-finalist / 3rd–4th Semi-final 675 315 130 50
Quarter-finalist / 5th–8th Quarter-final 375 175 70 25
Reached the knockout Knockout 225 105 42 15
Bowl winner Bowl winner 120 56 22 8
Bowl runner-up Bowl final 60 28 11 4
Group stage Group stage 0 0 0 0

How the ranking works

  • Points are awarded to each player individually, and both partners receive the full amount.
  • Your ranking is your best five results from the previous 52 weeks, of which at most four may be Grade 4.
  • Results expire 52 weeks after the tournament finished.

The full explanation, with a worked example

Individual tournament formats, draw sizes, schedules and scoring systems may vary. Full details are always published on the relevant tournament entry page.

See the calendar How ranking points work Full regulations