NATIONALS 2026 PLAYER HUB
Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026 – Player Hub
Welcome to the Nationals 2026 Player Hub
13–15 November 2026 | The Padel Club NZ, Papamoa
Welcome to the Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026!
This page contains the essential information for all registered players, including tournament schedules, competition formats, match rules, venue facilities and important updates.
Please read the information carefully before arriving at the venue.
1. VENUE & TOURNAMENT HOURS
The Padel Club NZ
2 Turiwhatu Street
Papamoa, Tauranga 3187
Tournament dates and starting times
Friday 13 November: Matches from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Saturday 14 November: Matches from 8:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday 15 November: Matches from 8:00am to late afternoon
Daily finishing times will depend on the final schedule, match durations and weather conditions.
Medal ceremony: Sunday 15 November, following the completion of all finals and bronze medal matches. Ceremony is scheduled for 6pm but will depend on finals match durations.
Players should allow sufficient time for the full tournament programme.
2. DRAWS & MATCH SCHEDULES
The official draws and match schedules will be released by 6:00pm on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
All registered players will receive an email with a direct link to the tournament's match page once the draws and schedules are published.
The seedings, draws and match schedules are prepared by The Padel Club NZ.
Once published, players are responsible for checking their match times, courts and any updates throughout the event.
Please note:
Players must be available for the full three-day tournament.
Match times cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual travel arrangements or personal scheduling preferences.
Match times and court allocations may change due to weather, match durations or operational requirements.
Players are responsible for regularly checking the tournament schedule website for match updates and the Padel New Zealand website for general tournament information.
3. COMPETITION FORMAT & PROGRESSION
The Nationals will be contested across four grades, using a pools-to-knockout format.
Men's A – 16 teams
4 pools of 4 teams
Each team plays 3 pool matches
Top 2 teams from each pool advance
Quarter-finals → Semi-finals → Final
Men's B – 24 teams
8 pools of 3 teams
Each team plays 2 pool matches
Top 2 teams from each pool advance
Round of 16 → Quarter-finals → Semi-finals → Final
Women's A – 8 teams
2 pools of 4 teams
Each team plays 3 pool matches
Top 2 teams from each pool advance
Semi-finals → Final
Women's B – 12 teams
3 pools of 4 teams
Each team plays 3 pool matches
The winner of each pool, plus the best second-placed team across all three pools, advances
Semi-finals → Final
All four grades include a bronze medal playoff between the losing semifinalists.
Pool standings and advancement will be determined in accordance with the Padel New Zealand National Competition Standards & Formats 2026.
4. MATCH FORMATS & SCORING
Pool matches, Round of 16 and quarter-finals
Two full sets.
If teams win one set each, a 10-point match tiebreak decides the winner.
Match tiebreaks require a two-point winning margin.
Semi-finals, finals and bronze playoffs
Best of three full sets.
Standard set scoring and set tiebreak rules apply.
A 7-point set tiebreak is played at 6–6 in any set, including the third set.
Set scoring
A set is won at six games with a minimum two-game margin.
At 6–6, a 7-point tiebreak is played, with a two-point winning margin, capped at 11 points. At 10–10, the next point wins.
Golden Deuce
Golden Deuce applies throughout the tournament.
At 40–40, no advantage is played.
The receiving team chooses which side will receive the serve.
The next point decides the game.
Other match rules
Warm-up: A maximum of five minutes immediately before each match.
Out-of-court play: Not permitted.
Wrist straps: Racket safety wrist straps must be worn during play.
Scoring: The manual scoring plaques at the net must be used and kept updated throughout every match to ensure accurate, visible scores for spectators and livestream viewers, and to minimise scoring discrepancies.
Balls
The HEAD Pro+ S will be the official ball used for the Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026, supplied by HEAD, long-standing sponsor and Official Ball Partner of Padel New Zealand.
5. PLAYER CHECK-IN & MATCH READINESS
All players must check in at the tournament desk when they first arrive at the venue.
Players must be on-site, checked in and ready to play at least 30 minutes before their scheduled match time.
Please note:
Players are responsible for knowing their scheduled match times.
Matches may be called earlier if courts become available.
Players must remain contactable and within the venue when approaching their scheduled match.
A player or team not ready to play within 15 minutes after their match is called may be defaulted in accordance with tournament regulations.
Reporting match results
At the conclusion of each match:
Both teams must confirm and agree on the final score.
One player from each team must report the result to the scoring tent.
Any scoring discrepancy must be raised immediately before the result is finalised.
Please do not leave the court area without ensuring the result has been reported.
6. SELF-OFFICIATING & FAIR PLAY
All matches are self-officiated, with players responsible for making their own calls. A designated accredited referee (wearing a Padel New Zealand Referee top) will be available to assist with disputes and the application of the rules where required.
Players are responsible for:
Players are responsible for making fair and honest line calls promptly and in good faith.
Calling the score clearly throughout each match.
Keeping the scoring plaques updated.
Treating opponents, officials, volunteers and spectators respectfully.
Resolving disagreements calmly and in good faith.
If a dispute cannot be resolved between the teams, players should seek assistance from the appointed Referee.
All players are expected to comply with Padel New Zealand’s competition rules, conduct requirements and the Terms & Conditions of Entry.
7. SPECTATORS & COACHING
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to support the players.
However, spectators must not interfere with matches.
Spectators are not permitted to:
Make line calls or challenge players' calls.
Provide instructions during active play.
Interfere with scoring or officiating.
Enter the court or disrupt a match.
Coaching
Coaching is permitted only during designated change-of-end rest breaks and at the end of a set.
Coaching is not permitted:
Between points.
After the first game of a set, when players change ends without a rest break.
During a tiebreak.
Players remain responsible for conducting their matches fairly and independently.
8. WEATHER & SCHEDULE CHANGES
The Nationals is an outdoor tournament, and the schedule may be affected by rain, wind or other conditions.
Where required, match times, court allocations or competition arrangements may be adjusted to maintain player safety and complete the tournament.
Players must:
Remain available across all three tournament days.
Monitor Tournify and official tournament communications.
Follow instructions from tournament officials.
Be prepared for possible delays, interruptions or rescheduled matches.
Any changes to match formats or competition arrangements will be made in accordance with PNZ competition requirements.
9. PLAYER LICENSING & RANKING POINTS
All participants must hold a valid Padel New Zealand player licence for the current licensing term(1 July 2026-30 June 2027) to compete in the Nationals.
The Nationals are a Tier 1 National Competition, with official Padel New Zealand ranking points awarded in accordance with the Padel New Zealand Ranking System.
Players must complete a minimum of two matches to qualify for ranking points associated with their final placing.
Byes and walkovers do not count towards the minimum completed-match requirement.
10. LIVESTREAMING & PHOTOGRAPHY
Livestreaming
Matches on Courts 1 and 2 will be live-streamed on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
Watch live:
https://www.padelnewzealand.tv/
Scoring overlays will be provided for the semi-finals and finals.
Unauthorised live-streaming or commercial broadcasting is not permitted and requires prior approval from Padel New Zealand.
Photography & video
Official photographers and videographers may be present throughout the tournament.
By entering the Nationals, players acknowledge the photography and filming conditions outlined in the Terms & Conditions of Entry.
Players who have specific concerns about being photographed may speak directly with the official photographer, although incidental appearances in general event coverage may not always be avoidable.
11. VENUE FACILITIES & SERVICES
The Padel Club NZ will provide a range of facilities and services throughout the tournament.
Food & refreshments
Sushi Panda food truck: Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday BBQ / sausage sizzle: From approximately 4:00pm.
Clubhouse café and bar: Food and refreshments available during the tournament.
Player recovery services
Recovery services provided by Powered by Prevention will be available at the venue, including:
Cold plunges
Compression recovery
Ice compression
Remedial massage
Strapping
Dry needling
Cupping
Players wishing to use cold plunge facilities should bring swimwear and a towel.
Services are subject to availability and any applicable charges.
Additional venue information
Four outdoor padel courts
Spectator viewing areas
Limited spectator seating — bringing a folding chair or picnic blanket is recommended
Toilets and shower facilities
Drinking water — please bring a refillable water bottle
Padel pro shop
Parking available near the venue
Cashless payments / EFTPOS
No BYO alcohol or glass containers are permitted at the venue.
Saturday entertainment
A DJ is planned for Saturday afternoon, with further details to be confirmed by the host club.
Further information about venue facilities and services will be available in The Padel Club NZ's Services & Facilities Guide.
12. TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
All players competing in the Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026 have agreed to the official Terms & Conditions of Entry as part of their registration.
Players are expected to familiarise themselves with these conditions and comply with them throughout the tournament.
Padel New Zealand Nationals 2026 – Terms & Conditions of Entry
13. PLAYER CONDUCT
Disrespectful or inappropriate communications or behaviour towards Padel New Zealand, the host club, officials, volunteers or others involved in delivering the event will not be tolerated.
Padel New Zealand reserves the right to refuse or withdraw an entry in cases of unacceptable conduct, in accordance with the Terms & Conditions of Entry.
14. EVENT ENQUIRIES
Questions about draws, seeding, schedule, the event and the venue services - refer to The Padel Club.
Questions for Padel New Zealand not addressed in the published information should be directed to info@padelnewzealand.org.nz or to our representative at the event.
To ensure enquiries are managed consistently, event enquiries will not be handled through social media comments, Instagram, WhatsApp or Facebook messages prior to or during the event.