Does the APT Padel Tour still exist in 2026?

Yes, but it now operates under the name A1 Padel. The APT Padel Tour (American Padel Tour) rebranded to A1 Padel as part of a strategic repositioning, though its core mission — providing a competitive professional circuit with a Latin American focus — remains the same.

What is the difference between A1 Padel and Premier Padel?

Premier Padel is the top-tier professional tour governed by the FIP. A1 Padel operates independently, with lower prize money and a stronger Latin American focus. Premier Padel attracts the world's best players, while A1 Padel provides competitive opportunities for players outside that elite tier.

Where are A1 Padel events held in 2026?

A1 Padel events are primarily held in Latin American countries — Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, and others — alongside select European events. The circuit maintains its core Latin American identity while expanding to new markets.

Can players compete on both A1 Padel and Premier Padel?

In practice, the world's top players focus on Premier Padel. Some players compete on both circuits depending on scheduling, ranking, and geographic convenience — particularly Latin American players who find A1 events more accessible.

How is the A1 Padel circuit structured?

A1 Padel operates a tiered event system with Master events (biggest tournaments), Open events (mid-tier tour stops), and Futures events (development-level tournaments for emerging players).

APT Padel Tour 2026 — A1 Padel Season Guide, Events and What to Expect

APT Padel Tour Is Now A1 Padel

If you are searching for the APT Padel Tour 2026, you should know that the circuit now operates under the name A1 Padel. The rebrand from APT (American Padel Tour) to A1 Padel reflected a strategic shift toward a more global identity, while the circuit’s core mission remains unchanged: providing professional padel competition with a strong focus on Latin American markets.

For the full history and structure of the circuit, see our dedicated A1 Padel circuit guide.

A1 Padel in 2026 — What to Expect

A1 Padel enters 2026 as the established alternative to Premier Padel — the FIP-governed top-tier tour. While Premier Padel attracts the world’s elite players, A1 Padel fills a vital role in the professional padel ecosystem:

Competitive pathway for players working toward or competing outside the Premier Padel circuit
Latin American stronghold — events in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, and other countries where padel has deep cultural roots
Development platform for young and emerging players who need professional-level competition to grow
Select European and international events that give the circuit broader global exposure

The circuit continues to operate its tiered event system: Master events (the biggest and most prestigious), Open events (competitive mid-tier stops), and Futures events (the entry point for aspiring professionals).

Tournament Structure

Master Events

Master events are the flagship tournaments on the A1 Padel calendar:

Highest prize money within the circuit
Strongest fields with top A1-ranked players
Held in key markets, often in Argentina and other Latin American hubs
Best broadcast and media coverage

The Master Final at the end of the season brings together the top-performing players of the year for a season-ending championship.

Open Events

Open events form the backbone of the regular season:

Solid prize money and ranking points
Competitive fields spread across multiple countries
Geographic diversity that takes the circuit beyond its Latin American core
Opportunities for mid-ranked players to earn meaningful results

Futures Events

Futures events are the development tier:

Entry point for aspiring professionals
Lower prize money but essential for ranking progression and career development
Critical experience-building opportunities for young players
Often held in emerging padel markets

Geographic Focus

A1 Padel’s calendar reflects its Latin American identity:

Argentina — The circuit’s heartland, with multiple events annually and the strongest local player base
Brazil — A rapidly growing padel market with increasing investment in courts and events
Mexico — The birthplace of padel, with deep cultural connections to the sport
Costa Rica and Central America — Expanding presence in growing padel markets
Europe — Select events in Spain, Monaco, and other European cities provide global exposure
Other markets — Events in the United States, South Africa, and the Middle East reflect the circuit’s broadening reach

This geographic emphasis is a key differentiator from Premier Padel, which runs a more Euro-centric and Middle Eastern calendar.

How A1 Padel Compares to Premier Padel in 2026

Aspect	A1 Padel	Premier Padel
Governance	Independent	FIP-governed
Player talent	Strong, below Premier tier	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
2026 scale	Smaller calendar	26 events, 18 countries
Broadcast	Growing	Red Bull TV + major networks
Ranking system	Own ranking	FIP ranking

The two circuits are not directly adversarial — they serve different market segments and player needs. However, Premier Padel’s scale and prize money make it the clear top tier of professional padel.

Why A1 Padel Matters

Despite operating in Premier Padel’s shadow, A1 Padel serves several critical functions:

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:

Professional-level competitive experience
Prize money and ranking points to sustain a career
A stepping stone for players working their way toward the Premier Padel tour

Market Growth

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

Bringing professional padel to Brazilian, Mexican, and Central American audiences
Creating local competitive structures that feed into the global game
Generating local media coverage and sponsor interest

Competitive Balance

The existence of an alternative circuit benefits the broader padel ecosystem:

More opportunities for professional players to compete and earn a living
Healthy competition that pushes both circuits to improve conditions
An alternative pathway for players who may not fit the Premier Padel system

Looking Ahead

A1 Padel has stabilised after the turbulent years of padel’s organisational restructuring. The circuit maintains a loyal following, particularly in Argentina and Brazil, and continues to attract new investment and partnerships.

The long-term question for A1 Padel remains whether professional padel will consolidate around a single tour — as has happened in most global sports — or sustain multiple circuits serving different markets and player populations. For now, A1 Padel fills a genuine gap in the professional padel landscape.

For the players competing on the A1 circuit, it represents a legitimate professional career and a meaningful contribution to padel’s worldwide growth — even as the spotlight shines brightest on Premier Padel and its 2026 calendar.