Padel rules / 2026 changes
New padel rules for 2026
The FIP approved a revised rulebook on 28 November 2025. It applies from 1 January 2026. Here is every change that matters on court, and what stayed the same.
In short
The biggest 2026 changes: Star Point joins Advantage and Golden Point as an official 40-40 option, one foot behind the service line is now enough, dropping your racket or breaking the strap loses the point, and a second accidental interference by the same pair loses the point. Rules of Padel 2026
Old rule and new rule
| Topic | Before 2026 | From 1 January 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 40-40 | Advantage or Golden Point | Advantage, Star Point or Golden Point, chosen by the organiser |
| Server's feet | Both feet behind the service line | At least one foot behind the line |
| Dropped racket or broken strap | Not an automatic fault | Point lost immediately |
| Accidental interference | Let | Let the first time, point lost the second time for the same pair |
| Recovery after a fall or ball hit | No specific rule | Up to 5 minutes at the umpire's discretion |
| Ball colour | White or yellow | Any colour with clear contrast to the court |
| Racket holes near the edge | Round | Other shapes allowed within 4 cm of the edge, up to 20 mm |
Star Point
Two advantages are played. If the game reaches deuce a third time, one deciding Star Point is played, and the receiving pair chooses the side. Premier Padel first used it at the Riyadh P1 in February 2026, and FIP tournaments use it from January 2026. Full explanation on the scoring page. Rule 1
The serve
One foot behind the service line is enough. You still may not touch the service line or the centre line, the ball must not cross either line before you hit it, and contact stays at or below the waist. Rule 6 Serve rules.
Dropped racket
If a player drops the racket or the safety strap breaks, the pair loses the point at once. Rule 13 (r)
Interference
Accidental interference is still replayed the first time. A second one by the same pair loses the point. Rule 11
What did not change
- Court size, net height and service line distance.
- Waist-height serve after a bounce, two serves per point.
- The ball must bounce on the opponents' floor before touching their walls.
- Touching the net, double bounce and the ball hitting your body still lose the point.
Where the new rules apply
The rulebook is set by the FIP and used by its member federations. Star Point is used on the Premier Padel and FIP tours. Each organiser still chooses the 40-40 system for its own events, so national leagues and clubs may stay on Golden Point or Advantage. In Britain, for example, the LTA uses Star Point at its higher-grade events. Always check the event rules.
Source
FIP, Rules of Padel, review applied from 1 January 2026, approved by the FIP General Assembly in Acapulco on 28 November 2025.