The Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026 will take place at the Padel Club NZ in Papamoa from 13–15 November 2026.

As padel competition in New Zealand continues to develop, the National Competition represents the highest level of domestic competition within the Padel New Zealand competition structure.

With a growing calendar of sanctioned and club competitions now providing competitive opportunities throughout the year for players across the wider padel community, the Nationals are intended for players ready to compete at the appropriate A or B Grade national level.

Registration Opening

General registration will open: Monday 28 September 2026 at 7pm

The registration link will be published through Padel New Zealand’s official channels.

Places in each grade are limited and demand may exceed the number of places available. Padel New Zealand cannot guarantee entry to all players wishing to participate.

Players intending to enter are therefore encouraged to be ready when registrations open. The team entry is only confirmed once both partners have completed their registration.

Grades

• Men’s A

• Men’s B

• Women’s A

• Women’s B

A Grade Priority Invitations

A priority invitation period will take place before general registration opens, allowing a capped group of players, based on their position in the Padel New Zealand national rankings, to secure an A Grade place ahead of general registration.

A Grade priority invitations are designed to ensure that leading nationally ranked players have an opportunity to compete in the highest grade of the National Competition, while still retaining A Grade places for players entering through general registration.

Initial priority invitations will be offered to the Top 16 ranked Men and Top 8 ranked Women, based on the September 2026 Padel New Zealand national rankings published immediately prior to the priority invitation period.

These thresholds have been set to recognise leading ranked players while ensuring that A Grade is not filled entirely through priority invitations. Places in both A Grade divisions will be retained for general registration.

Where an invitation is declined, not taken up by the stated deadline, or priority capacity otherwise remains available, further invitations may be extended down the rankings beyond the initial Top 16 Men or Top 8 Women, in ranking order, until the available priority allocation is filled.

Priority invitations will be issued to individual ranked players, who may nominate their chosen partner. Both players must confirm their intention to enter by the deadline stated in the priority invitation.

Initial priority invitation emails will be sent on Monday 14 September.

Priority invitations will be sent by email to the contact details held by Padel New Zealand. Players are responsible for ensuring their contact details are current and for responding by the deadline, 5pm on Thursday 24 September.

The number of teams able to enter through the priority process will be capped. Once the priority allocation for a division has been filled, no further priority invitations will be issued and the remaining places will be retained for general registration.

A priority place will be held once both players have confirmed their intention to enter by the stated deadline and will be secured once both players subsequently complete the official registration process.

All players will still be required to complete the official registration process on 28 September. Players with a confirmed priority place will be provided with a priority registration code to complete their entry.

Receiving a priority invitation does not alter any other competition requirements. Players and their chosen partners must still meet all applicable eligibility and competition requirements.

B Grade will remain open on a first-come, first-served basis through general registration at the Nationals, providing an inclusive competitive pathway for players to participate, develop and progress within the National Competition.

Key Dates

14–24 September: Initial priority invitation and confirmation period


25–27 September: Further priority invitations may be extended down the rankings where places remain


By 27 September: All priority places confirmed


28 September, 7pm: General registration opens

Player Licence

All players entering the Padel New Zealand Nationals must hold a current Padel New Zealand Player Licence for the 2026–27 licence year (1 July 2026–30 June 2027) and meet the applicable competition eligibility requirements.

See more information about player licences here.

Competition Format

The National Competition format has been developed by Padel New Zealand under the Padel New Zealand National Competition Framework and Competition Standards.

Competition formats, eligibility requirements and progression are determined by Padel New Zealand based on the competition structure, available court capacity and operational requirements.

The competition format and maximum team allocation for each grade will be published when general registration opens.

These decisions are made by Padel New Zealand, in consultation with the host club, for the competition as a whole and are not subject to negotiation based on individual player preferences.

At this stage in the development of padel in New Zealand, National Competition capacity is naturally limited by the size of available venues, with most clubs currently operating only a small number of courts. Padel New Zealand has structured the 2026 Nationals to maximise the number of players able to participate within the available venue capacity, while maintaining a competition format that supports fair competition and the integrity of the national rankings.

Enquiries and Conduct

To ensure enquiries are managed consistently, all event enquiries should be directed to info@padelnewzealand.org.nz and will not be handled through social media comments, Instagram, WhatsApp or Facebook messages.

We recognise that places are limited and that not every player wishing to enter may be able to participate. However, disappointment regarding registration, entry, grading, formats, scheduling or other competition decisions does not justify inappropriate behaviour towards the people delivering the competition.

Abusive, disrespectful, aggressive or personally derogatory communications towards Padel New Zealand representatives, volunteers, officials or host-club staff will not be tolerated.

Padel New Zealand reserves the right to refuse or withdraw an entry where a player fails to meet the conditions of entry or engages in serious or repeated inappropriate conduct in connection with the competition.

Before Registering

By entering the Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026, players acknowledge and agree to the published conditions of entry, competition requirements and applicable competition rules, including that competition formats and operational decisions are determined by Padel New Zealand.