What is the “Star Point”? This is Premier Padel’s new scoring system!

In addition to announcing the schedule for next season, the International Padel Federation (FIP) and Premier Padel have confirmed a historic change in the rules of the sport: starting in 2026, the star point (or “Star Point”) will be applied in all professional competitions. This new format seeks to balance the dynamism of the golden point with the tradition of the classic advantage, offering a hybrid system that aims to improve the spectacle and protect the health of the players.

From the golden point to the classic advantage

In the last part of the World Padel Tour stage, the golden point became the official system. Each game that reached 40-40 was decided on a single point, which brought immediate excitement but also a high element of chance.

With the arrival of Premier padel, the FIP decided to return to the traditional advantage, closer to Olympic standards and tennis. In this model, players had to win two consecutive points to close out the game. The downside was the length of the matches: some lasted more than three hours, causing physical exhaustion and a loss of momentum for the audience.

What is the Star Point?

After months of debate in the Steering Committees, involving players, coaches, and organizers, the FIP has approved an intermediate system. The Star Point consists of applying the usual advantage up to a maximum of two times. If after those two advantages the score remains tied, the next point will be decided with a final golden point.

This maintains the competitive tension but prevents games from going on too long. The new system will make its official debut at the Riyadh P1 Premier Padel, the first tournament of the 2026 season.

Statements by Luigi Carraro

FIP President Luigi Carraro explained the measure: “We believe it improves the spectacle without losing the identity of padel. It is an option that protects the quality of the sport and the health of the players.”

Carraro illustrated the impact with an example: “In the women’s quarterfinals between Sánchez-Josemaría and Calvo-Salazar, the first game lasted 18 and a half minutes; with the new system, it would have been resolved in just over 4.”

A balance between excitement and sustainability

The Star Point does not have the intensity and excitement of the golden point or the competitive purity of the classic advantage, but it combines the best of both systems. It maintains the excitement of the score, avoids excessive duration, and reduces the physical wear and tear on the players.

With this decision, the FIP seeks to modernize padel and adapt it to an increasingly global and televised circuit. The star point represents another step in the evolution of the sport: an attempt to balance spectacle, fairness, and sustainability without losing the essence that has made it a booming discipline.