2027 national tournament programme
Dear SAPA member clubs, tournament organisers and commercial partners
SAPA is preparing the 2027 national tournament programme and invites clubs, organisers and sponsors to register their interest. Our priorities are to confirm the main calendar early, appoint reliable delivery partners and provide clear national standards for tournaments, sponsorship and streaming.
National and international recognition
SAPA has made important progress towards formal recognition. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has recognised SAPA, andthis recognition was submitted to the International Padel Federation in mid-September as part of SAPA’s affiliation process. FIPaccreditation is expected shortly. SAPA also continues to engage with SASCOC.
These steps are intended to open stronger international opportunities for South African players, support the hosting of internationalevents and create a recognised pathway for national colours where appropriate. A credible national calendar, consistent rankings andproperly sanctioned tournaments are central to that progress.
The 2026 season established a strong national tournament base and showed what works, where player demand is strongest and whichorganisers can deliver successfully. It also highlighted the risks of overcrowding the calendar, inconsistent administration and eventsproceeding without sufficient entries. The 2027 programme will build on this experience with earlier planning, protected dates and consistent rules.
Proposed 2027 tournament structure
SAPA is planning the following national framework. Final numbers will be confirmed with the calendar:
Category 1: Planned range: 4 to 6 | Events and purpose: Majors, Nationals and Year End Finals
Category 2: Planned range: 6 to 8 | Events and purpose: Super Gold or Platinum events
Category 3: Planned range: 8 to 10 | Events and purpose: Gold events across key regions
Category 4: Planned range: Multiple | Events and purpose: Silver, bronze and development events
Top-tier events will include Men’s Open, Men’s Advanced, Ladies Open and Ladies Advanced divisions. Boys U19 and Girls U19 divisions will be introduced at selected events, supported by junior rankings and a wider youth programme.
Calendar and organiser appointments
SAPA intends to publish the principal calendar by 31 October 2026. The core dates and event tiers will be set first; expressions of interest will help SAPA appoint suitable hosts but will not determine the size of the calendar. SOUTH AFRICAN PADEL ASSOCIATION
Appointments will consider delivery record, venue, regional need, operational capacity, sponsorship and compliance. Organisersawarded top-tier events will also be expected to support appropriate Silver and Bronze events.
Organisers appointed to host SAPA-sanctioned events will be formally accredited for the relevant event. They will be required to sign asanctioning agreement, comply with all applicable SAPA guidelines and event requirements, display SAPA branding and acceptfinancial and operational responsibility for delivering the event. SAPA-sanctioned events may take place only at affiliated clubs.
All 2027 SAPA tournaments will operate through 4M Padel for registration, payments, draws, schedules, results and rankings. All players must hold a valid SAPA player licence to enter sanctioned events and earn ranking points, subject to the possible exemption of Bronze events.
2027 licences and club affiliation
Players will again be required to hold a valid SAPA player licence in 2027. SAPA will also introduce formal annual affiliation for memberclubs. The player licence fees are set out below, while the club affiliation fees are still to be confirmed.
2027 renewal for existing license holders: R500. Renew between 15 October 2026 and 31 January 2027
Late player renewal: R650. Applies after 31 January 2027
New player license: R650. Available from 15 October 2026
Club affiliation: TBC. Annual fee per club
Multi-club group: TBC. Annual fee per club where a group has more than one club
Bronze events may be exempt from the player licence requirement, subject to final confirmation. All affiliated clubs and accredited event organisers will be listed on the SAPA website.
Securing meaningful sponsorship is a major priority for SAPA. It can strengthen tournaments, increase prize money, improve broadcastsand support player and junior development throughout South Africa.
SAPA invites companies, prospective sponsors and anyone with relevant commercial relationships or introductions to contact us.Opportunities include national, category, event and broadcast partnerships. We want to build partnerships that create value forsponsors while supporting SAPA and the wider game. Organisers may also bring event sponsors, subject to SAPA’s nationalcommercial rights. The calendar will proceed regardless of whether a national sponsor is secured.
SAPA also intends to establish indicative prize pools for each event category to improve consistency. Subject to sponsorship income andSAPA Exco approval, the preferred model is for SAPA to fund up to 50 percent of the prize pool, with the organiser or host club providing the balance.
AI Sport holds the official live-streaming, broadcast and in-stream commercial rights for SAPA-sanctioned tournaments. SAPA and AISport are engaging with the main clubs to resolve the difficulties experienced during 2026 and to establish a practical, consistent model for 2027.
- For Gold-tier events and above, including Majors, Nationals, Super Gold or Platinum events and the Year End Finals, any streamingmust be done through AI Sport. AI Sport will provide streaming for one show court for the duration of the tournament at no cost to the host.
- Additional courts or enhanced production may be arranged at standard rates. No parallel or alternative provider may be appointed without prior written approval.
- Where AI Sport does not cover an event, a host may apply to use an alternative provider that meets SAPA branding, overlay and production standards.
- Hosts must provide suitable venue access, camera positions, power, internet connectivity and accreditation. Event clips may be shared provided official branding and overlays remain intact.
These requirements protect national and event sponsors, provide a consistent product and strengthen the commercial value of thecalendar. Failure to comply may result in the withdrawal of SAPA sanctioning or ranking status.
Clubs and organisers are invited to submit a short expression of interest covering the event tier, region, date window, venue, deliveryexperience and potential sponsors. Prospective sponsors, and anyone able to introduce SAPA to suitable commercial partners, are also encouraged to make contact.
Please submit expressions of interest by 23 October 2026 to info@sapadel.co.za. SAPA will engage with shortlisted organisers before confirming appointments and event accreditation.
We look forward to working with committed partners to build a credible, well-organised and sustainable 2027 season.
Kind regards
Paul Waldburger
Chairperson
South African Padel Association