A1 Padel (APT) Circuit Explained — The Alternative Professional Padel Tour

What Is A1 Padel?

A1 Padel — formerly known as the APT Padel Tour (American Padel Tour) — is an alternative professional padel circuit that operates independently of the FIP-governed Premier Padel tour. Founded by Argentine players and padel promoters, A1 Padel provides a competitive pathway outside the mainstream FIP structure, with a particular focus on Latin American markets.

The circuit emerged from the same period of upheaval that created Premier Padel — the years of tension between the World Padel Tour, the FIP, and players seeking better conditions. While Premier Padel became the undisputed top tier, A1 Padel carved out a role as a secondary but meaningful professional circuit.

For the broader context of padel’s organisational landscape, see our governing bodies explainer and the history of padel.

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Origins and History

The APT Padel Tour

The circuit began as the APT Padel Tour (American Padel Tour), founded in the early 2020s by a group of Argentine players and business figures who felt the existing professional structures — particularly the World Padel Tour — were not adequately serving player interests.

Key motivations for creating the APT:

• Player agency — Frustration with the WPT’s exclusive player contracts and limited player input into tour decisions
• Latin American representation — A desire for a circuit that better served Latin American markets, where padel has deep roots (particularly Argentina, the sport’s second heartland after Spain)
• Alternative competitive pathway — Providing opportunities for players who did not have access to the top WPT events

Rebranding to A1 Padel

The APT rebranded to A1 Padel as part of a strategic repositioning. The name change reflected a shift toward a more global identity while maintaining the circuit’s core Latin American focus. New investment and partnerships accompanied the rebrand, improving event quality and prize money.

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Circuit Structure

A1 Padel operates a tiered event structure:

Master Events

The biggest tournaments on the A1 calendar:

• Highest prize money within the circuit
• Best fields, attracting the top A1-ranked players
• Held in key markets, often in Latin America
• Most broadcast coverage

Open Events

Mid-tier tour stops that form the bulk of the calendar:

• Solid prize money and ranking points
• Competitive fields
• Spread across multiple countries to provide geographic diversity

Futures Events

Development-level tournaments:

• Entry point for aspiring professionals
• Lower prize money but essential for ranking progression
• Opportunity for young players to gain professional experience

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Geographic Focus

A1 Padel’s calendar reflects its Latin American roots:

• Argentina — The circuit’s heartland, with multiple events annually
• Brazil — A growing padel market with increasing interest and infrastructure investment
• Mexico — The birthplace of padel, with a strong cultural connection to the sport
• Other Latin American countries — Events in Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, and other nations
• Europe and Middle East — Select events in Spain, Italy, and the Gulf states provide global exposure

This geographic focus is a key differentiator from Premier Padel, which has a more Euro-centric calendar despite its global ambitions.

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How A1 Padel Compares to Premier Padel

Aspect	A1 Padel	Premier Padel
Governance	Independent	FIP-governed
Player talent	Strong, but below Premier	World’s best players
Prize money	Lower	Significantly higher
Geographic focus	Latin America primary	Global, Euro-centric
Event tiers	Master/Open/Futures	Major/P1/P2/Challenger
Broadcast	Growing but smaller	Major networks
Ranking system	Own ranking	FIP ranking

The relationship between the two circuits is not directly adversarial — they serve different segments of the market. However, the reality is that Premier Padel attracts the top talent, which limits A1 Padel’s ability to compete for the casual fan’s attention.

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The Role of A1 Padel in Professional Padel

A1 Padel serves several important functions in the padel ecosystem:

Player Development

For many Latin American players, A1 events are more geographically and financially accessible than flying to Europe for Premier Padel qualifiers. The circuit provides:

• Competitive experience at a professional level
• Ranking points and prize money to sustain a career
• A stepping stone toward the Premier Padel circuit for improving players

Market Development

A1 Padel events help grow the sport in markets that Premier Padel may not prioritise:

• Bringing professional padel to Brazilian and Mexican audiences
• Creating local competitive structures that feed into the global game
• Generating media coverage and sponsor interest in new territories

Competitive Alternative

The existence of A1 Padel provides healthy competition in the professional padel market, which benefits players through:

• More opportunities to compete and earn a living
• Leverage in negotiations with Premier Padel if player conditions need improvement
• Alternative pathway for players who may not fit the Premier Padel system

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Current Status (2026)

As of 2026, A1 Padel continues to operate as the leading alternative to Premier Padel. The circuit has stabilised after the turbulent years of padel’s organisational restructuring and maintains a loyal following, particularly in Argentina and Brazil.

The long-term question for A1 Padel is whether the professional padel landscape will consolidate around a single tour (as has happened in most sports) or sustain multiple circuits serving different markets and player needs. For now, A1 Padel fills a genuine gap — providing professional competitive opportunities for players who might otherwise be left without a viable pathway in the sport.

For the athletes competing on the A1 circuit, it represents a legitimate professional career and a meaningful contribution to padel’s global growth — even if the spotlight shines brightest on the Premier Padel circuit.