Organising a corporate padel tournament sounds complicated, but it is surprisingly manageable once you tackle the steps in the right order. This is the route that takes the least time and gives the best result.
Step 1: Decide on group size and date
Start with two questions: how many people are taking part, and when? Those two factors shape everything that follows. A tournament of 16 people needs 4 courts. A tournament of 32 people needs 8 courts. Not every club has that capacity, so the group size determines which venues are an option.
Ideally, pick a weekday afternoon or evening. Friday is popular, but also pricier and busier. A Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon is easy to arrange at most clubs and cheaper too.
Step 2: Choose a venue and book the courts
Look for a padel club nearby that has enough courts and experience with events. Ask explicitly whether they offer an "events package". Many clubs do: a fixed court rate per time slot, including the use of a room for the prize-giving and possibly catering.
Clubs that already use Slams can set the tournament up directly in the system. Participants register through a link, the system handles the pairing and the schedule. On the day itself, the organiser has nothing to track by hand.
Step 3: Choose the format
For most corporate tournaments, Americano is the best choice. Everyone plays the whole time, partners change every round, and the format works across all skill levels mixed together. No one sits out, maximum mixing.
If you have a group that wants to play more competitively, consider Mexicano. Here players are paired based on their score, which makes the matches sharper as the tournament goes on.
Step 4: Handle the registrations
Send a registration link to your colleagues. Ask them for a name, phone number and, optionally, their playing level. If you use Slams, this happens automatically through the platform and you do not have to keep a separate spreadsheet.
Set a registration deadline so you know in good time how many courts you need and whether the line-up works. Keep a small waiting list: someone always drops out at the last minute.
Step 5: The day itself
Arrive fifteen minutes early. Make sure the courts are ready and that everyone knows where they need to be. A short warm-up is not a luxury: it lowers the risk of injury and helps beginners get used to the game.
If you use Slams, the system automatically shows who plays on which court after each round. Players enter the scores themselves on their phones. The running standings are visible live to everyone. After the final round, you have the end result ready straight away for the prize-giving.
Finish with a short prize-giving and a drink. The combination of concrete results and an informal wrap-up turns a padel tournament into a day people genuinely remember.
Want help organising a corporate padel tournament? Explore the options at slams.app/bedrijfstoernooi-padel.
