League Rules
These Terms and Conditions ("Rules") govern participation in the Padel Champions League ("the League", "we", "us", "the Organiser"). By registering, paying, or taking part in any fixture, all players and teams confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Rules in full. These Rules form a binding agreement between each participating team and the Organiser.
1. General Overview
1.1 The League runs for 12 consecutive weeks, with one scheduled fixture per week per team.
1.2 Each fixture follows standard padel rules as set out by the International Padel Federation (FIP), as modified by these Rules.
1.3 The League comprises 11 fixtures across the 12-week season. Each team plays every other team in its division once.
1.4 The Organiser's decision on all matters relating to the League — including fixtures, scoring, standings, eligibility, conduct, and discipline — is final and binding.
1.5 The Organiser may amend, update, or clarify these Rules at any time. The version published at padelcl.com is the definitive version and takes precedence over any earlier or verbal statement.
2. Fees and Payment
2.1 The entry fee is £80 per team, payable in full on registration via the website. Registration is not complete, and a team is not entered into the League, until the entry fee has been received in full.
2.2 All entry fees are strictly non-refundable once the League has commenced. This includes, without limitation, teams that are disqualified, removed, suspended, or that choose to withdraw for any reason. No refund, credit, or transfer will be given in these circumstances.
2.3 Court fees for each fixture must be paid in full no later than 24 hours before the scheduled fixture. A fixture is not considered confirmed until payment has been made in full by all required parties.
2.4 The responsibility for collecting, chasing, and recovering any funds owed for a fixture lies solely with the team or individual who books the court. The Organiser holds no responsibility whatsoever for collecting, advancing, recovering, or reimbursing court fees or any other payment between players or teams, and accepts no liability for any shortfall, non-payment, or dispute arising between participants in relation to such funds.
2.5 The Organiser does not hold, process, or guarantee any court-fee payments between teams. Any financial arrangement relating to court hire is strictly a matter between the participating teams and the venue.
3. Eligibility and Substitutes
3.1 All players must register as part of a team. Only registered players, or approved substitutes, may take part in a fixture.
3.2 Substitutes:
A maximum of 3 substitute appearances are permitted per team over the course of the League.
A substitute must be of the same playing level as the player they replace.
The opposing team must be notified of the proposed substitute and must agree that the named individual may play, no later than 24 hours before the scheduled fixture. A substitute may not play without the opposing team's prior agreement.
Substitutes must not be used to gain a competitive advantage. The Organiser reserves the right to reject any substitute it considers ineligible or inconsistent with the spirit of the League, and its decision is final.
Playing an unregistered or unapproved player, or a substitute the opposing team has not agreed to, may result in forfeit of the fixture and/or a points deduction at the Organiser's discretion.
4. Scheduling, Confirmation and Attendance
4.1 Fixtures are scheduled once per week. A full schedule is published before Week 1.
4.2 Each team must confirm and join its scheduled fixture no later than 24 hours before the fixture is due to take place. Failure to do so will result in a 1 point deduction from the offending team.
4.3 If a team cannot attend a fixture, it must notify the Organiser and the opposing team at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to give at least 24 hours' notice may result in a 3 point deduction from the offending team, at the Organiser's discretion, in addition to any forfeit applied under Rule 5.
4.4 Players are responsible for arriving on time. Lateness penalties:
5 minutes late: start 1 game down.
10 minutes late: start 2 games down.
More than 15 minutes late: forfeit one set.
4.5 Rescheduling of a fixture is at the Organiser's sole discretion and is not guaranteed.
4.6 The Organiser accepts no responsibility and no liability whatsoever for any team or player that fails to attend a scheduled fixture. Responsibility for attendance rests entirely with each team. The Organiser is not obliged to reschedule, compensate, or take any action in respect of a non-attendance, and any consequence of a team failing to turn up rests solely with that team.
5. Forfeits, No-Shows and Cancellations
5.1 If a team cancels on the day of a fixture, the fixture is forfeited and recorded as a 6–0, 6–0 loss to the cancelling team.
5.2 A no-show is treated as a forfeit. A walkover or forfeit awards 3 points to the non-offending team.
5.3 The Organiser bears no responsibility or liability for any cost, loss, inconvenience, travel, or expense incurred by any team or player as a result of another team's cancellation, late notice, non-attendance, withdrawal, or disqualification. Any such matter rests solely between the teams involved.
5.4 Where a team withdraws from or is removed from the League part-way through the season, the Organiser may void all fixtures involving that team for all affected teams, so that final standings reflect only completed fixtures. This is an administrative fairness measure applied equally to all affected teams and is not a penalty against any individual team.
6. Checkpoints
6.1 Two checkpoints apply during the season:
Checkpoint 1: a minimum of 3 fixtures must have been played by the end of Week 4.
Checkpoint 2: a minimum of 6 fixtures must have been played by the end of Week 8.
6.2 Failure to meet Checkpoint 1 will result in a 3 point deduction.
6.3 Failure to meet Checkpoint 2 will result in disqualification and removal from the League. No refund will be given in these circumstances (see Rule 2.2).
6.4 All fixtures must be played on or before the published League end date. The Organiser is under no obligation to grant extensions.
7. Scoring and Standings
7.1 Matches are best of 3 sets, with a tie-break at 6–6. A Golden Point applies on the first deuce.
7.2 To win a fixture, a team must win 2 of 3 sets.
7.3 Draws: if the score is 1–1 and the third set is not completed within the time limit, the fixture is a draw. If only one set is completed, the fixture is a draw.
7.4 Fixtures are capped at 1 hour. The score at the 1-hour mark must be submitted and, once submitted, is final.
7.5 Points: Win = 3, Draw = 1, Loss = 0, Walkover/forfeit = 3 points to the opponent.
7.6 Standings are updated regularly. Any scoring dispute must be raised with the Organiser promptly; the Organiser's determination is final.
8. Conduct and Fair Play
8.1 All players must demonstrate sportsmanship, respect, and fair play at all times.
8.2 Unsporting behaviour — including verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, or cheating — may result in warnings, point penalties, forfeits, or expulsion from the League. No refund will be given on expulsion.
8.3 The Organiser's decision on all disciplinary matters is final.
8.4 Teams that agree to a decision, arrangement, or interpretation of the Rules before or during a fixture and continue to play on that basis shall be deemed to have accepted that position and may not subsequently challenge it solely because the result of the fixture is unfavourable to them.
9. Liability, Risk and Indemnity
9.1 All players take part in the League entirely at their own risk.
9.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Organiser accepts no liability for any injury, illness, death, loss, damage, theft, cost, or expense of any kind suffered by any participant or third party arising out of or in connection with participation in the League, including travel to and from fixtures, use of any venue, or the conduct or non-attendance of any other team or player. Nothing in these Rules excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by the Organiser's negligence, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
9.3 The Organiser is not responsible for the acts, omissions, conduct, attendance, payment, or credibility of any participating team or player.
9.4 Participants are strongly encouraged to hold their own personal sports, health, and accident insurance. The Organiser does not provide insurance cover of any kind to participants.
9.5 Each team agrees to indemnify and hold the Organiser harmless against any claim, loss, or expense arising from that team's own acts, omissions, conduct, or non-attendance.
9.6 Venues are independent third parties. The Organiser is not responsible for the condition, availability, safety, or booking of any venue or court.
10. Cancellation and Weather
10.1 In the event of bad weather or other circumstances beyond reasonable control, fixtures may be rescheduled at the Organiser's sole discretion.
10.2 The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the League or any fixture where necessary, giving notice to participants where reasonably practicable. The Organiser is not liable for any loss arising from such cancellation, suspension, or modification.
11. Prizes
11.1 Prizes are awarded per division, with medals for runners-up and a player-of-the-league award.
11.2 Indicative prize fund per division: 1st £250, 2nd £150, 3rd £100.
11.3 The prize fund is based on full-capacity sign-up and may change depending on actual entries. The Organiser's allocation of prizes is final.
12. Data Protection
12.1 Personal information collected at registration is used solely for League administration and communication.
12.2 Data is stored securely and is not shared with third parties without consent, save where required by law.
13. Acceptance of Terms
13.1 By registering for, paying for, or participating in the League, each player and team acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Rules in full.
13.2 If any provision of these Rules is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.