Guide
How padel scoring works
In short
Padel is scored like tennis: points go 15, 30, 40 and game, a set is first to six games with a two game lead, and a match is best of three sets. At 6-6 a tie-break to seven points decides the set. At 40-40 the game is decided by advantage, a golden point, or since 2026 on the pro tours the star point. For a club league, pick one way of scoring per league and put it in the house rules before the first match.
Running a league? Padeliga checks every score against these rules and keeps the table for you, free for UK clubs. See the padel box league app or Padeliga for clubs.
Points and games
A game goes 15, 30, 40, then game. At 40-40 (deuce) there are three ways to finish it, all allowed under the International Padel Federation (FIP) rules for 2026:
- Advantage. Win two points in a row from deuce to win the game. This is the traditional method.
- Golden point. At 40-40 one deciding point wins the game, and the receiving pair choose which side to receive on. Common in club and social play because it keeps matches to time.
- Star point. Approved by the FIP in November 2025 and used on the professional tours from 2026. Deuce and advantage are played normally twice; if the game reaches deuce a third time, one deciding point (the star point) is played, with the receivers choosing the side.
Most club leagues use advantage or golden point. Say which in the house rules.
Sets
A set is first to six games with a lead of two, so 6-4 wins a set but 6-5 does not; the set goes on to 7-5. At 6-6 a tie-break decides it and the set is recorded as 7-6.
The tie-break at 6-6
The tie-break is first to seven points with a lead of two, counted 1, 2, 3 rather than 15, 30, 40. The first server serves one point, then each side serves two in turn, and the pairs change ends every six points. It is often written with the loser’s points in brackets: 7-6(5) means the tie-break finished 7-5.
Matches: best of three, or a match tie-break
A standard match is best of three sets. To save court time, many leagues play a match tie-break (also called a super tie-break) instead of a third set: first to ten points with a lead of two. A match might then read 6-4 3-6 10-7.
Short sets
For short court slots, some competitions play short sets. The FIP’s own short set is first to four games with a lead of two and a tie-break at 4-4; LTA grade 3 and 4 tournaments use short sets to four. Some leagues borrow Fast4 from tennis instead: first to four games with a tie-break at 3-3. Agree exactly which before the season starts.
Points, one score a match
Social formats such as the Americano skip games and sets. Every rally is a point, a match is one score, such as 16 to 8, and it ends at a set total or when the time is up. A league can use the same scoring for a social league, where short matches with a new partner suit better than full sets. With no sets or games to count, the table splits level players by point difference and points won instead: see league tables and tie-breakers.
Scores that cannot happen
- A set that finishes level, such as 6-6 or 7-7.
- 7-4 or worse: once a set reaches 7 games the loser must have 5 or 6.
- A third set after one pair has already won two.
Padeliga turns these away when a score is entered, so the table stays right. Score it in Padeliga.
Serving, briefly
The server bounces the ball and hits it at or below waist height, diagonally into the opposite service box, with two attempts. Serving alternates between the pairs each game, and between the two partners each time their pair serves.
How Padeliga does it
When a Padeliga league is set up, staff pick its scoring: best of three sets, a match tie-break to 10 as the decider, Fast4 short sets, or points, one score a match, like 16 to 8, the way an Americano is scored, so a club can give a beginners league shorter matches than its top division. Padeliga records whatever shape of match was actually played, and a tie-break set can keep its tie-break score as 7-6(5). It only rejects scores that cannot happen, such as a set finishing level. Either pair enters the sets, the other confirms them, and the table uses the sets and games for its tie-breakers, so staff never type a score in. In a league scored as points, the table counts wins first, then point difference, then points won.
Questions
What is a golden point in padel?
At 40-40, one deciding point wins the game instead of playing advantage. The receiving pair choose which side to receive on.
What is the star point in padel?
A scoring rule used on the professional tours from 2026. Advantage is played twice; if the game reaches deuce a third time, one deciding point wins it.
How does a tie-break work in padel?
At 6-6 in a set, the first pair to seven points with a lead of two wins the set 7-6. A super tie-break, or match tie-break, is played instead of a third set: first to ten points with a lead of two.
Is padel scored the same as tennis?
Yes, the points, games and sets are the same. Padel commonly adds the golden point, and the pro tours now use the star point.
Which scoring should a club league use?
Best of three sets with advantage or golden point is the usual starting point. If court slots are short, play a match tie-break instead of a third set, or short sets, and say which in the rules.
Can a padel league be scored in points?
Yes. Some social leagues score each match as one number of points, like 16 to 8, the way an Americano is scored. Pick it before the season starts and put it in the house rules, because it changes how the table splits level players.
Run your club’s leagues in Padeliga
Members join from a code or the QR poster, agree times in the app and confirm each other’s scores, and the table updates itself. Staff see every league on one screen. Padeliga is free padel league software for clubs. Free for clubs, free for players, and we’ll set up your first league with you.