Spring leagues in the Netherlands typically run from early March to late May. At first glance that's next year, so no rush. In practice, the clubs that want a full field in March start their communication and infrastructure in September or October. Waiting until January means half-empty registration lists and last-minute improvising.
Below is the planning, communication and organisation that fits a padel spring league in 2027. It works for clubs of 50 to 500 members.
The timeline at a glance
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | Format choice, court planning, infrastructure |
| October 2026 | Announcement to members, save-the-date |
| November 2026 | Open registration |
| December 2026 | First reminder, riding the winter momentum |
| January 2027 | Second reminder, deadline pressure |
| 15 February 2027 | Registration closes, build the draw |
| 1 March 2027 | Share the draw and kick off the league |
| March-May 2027 | League runs |
| End of May 2027 | Wrap-up, prize ceremony |
September 2026: laying the foundation
Three decisions to make now:
- Format: ladder, box system, or classic group. My recommendation for spring is a ladder or box, because the weather is unpredictable and flexibility matters.
- Court planning: which evenings, which courts. Book them in the club system now.
- Platform: how you'll handle registrations, payments and standings. No more Excel; set the tools up now.
October 2026: soft announcement
Send an email or post in the club chat with a save-the-date. No full registration details yet, just: "In March 2027 we're running our spring league. Keep an eye on your calendar."
A soft announcement does two things: players mentally set aside their spring evenings, and you gather early reactions (questions, suggestions) that you can fold into the real launch.
November 2026: open registration
Four months before the start sounds early, but it works:
- Early deciders sign up right away (it commits them and stops them drifting to another event later).
- Players bring their partner into the decision, which takes time.
- You get an early sense of whether your goal (X teams) is realistic.
At this stage, communicate:
- Format, duration, playing schedule, skill-level categories
- Entry fee and what's included
- Registration deadline (15 February)
- Who to contact with questions
December-January: reminders with urgency
Two reminders between launch and deadline, with rising urgency:
- Mid-December: "Registration is going well. X spots left. Sign up before the rush."
- Early February: "Last two weeks. Register before 15 February, after that it closes."
Avoid four or five reminders, that just annoys people. Two well-timed reminders are enough.
15 February 2027: deadline and draw
The deadline holds, registration closes. Then you have two weeks to:
- Build the draw (with software this takes minutes)
- Generate the full schedule
- Communicate everything to the participants (welcome email, first-match info)
March-May 2027: the league
During the league:
- Weekly standings update (email or a poster by the court): keeps people engaged
- An open point of contact: one person participants can put questions to, no committee decision-making
- Flexible rescheduling rules: players get sick, go on holiday. Make it possible to move matches without the whole structure wobbling.
End of May 2027: the wrap-up
A good wrap-up doesn't have to be expensive. An evening at the clubhouse with:
- Final standings presentation
- Prizes for the top 3 (they can be symbolic: a cup, a bottle of wine, a discount voucher)
- Drinks or a barbecue
The ritual matters more than the prizes. It marks the end and builds social ties heading into the next season.
Frequently asked questions about spring planning
What if I don't start until January? You can still get a league off the ground, but with less volume. Expect 30 to 50 percent fewer participants than with early planning.
Do I really have to sort everything out in September? Not everything. The format and the tools, yes; the exact communication can wait until October. But having the basics in place before October gives you peace of mind.
What if the KNLTB also runs a spring league? Padel clubs usually aren't part of the KNLTB padel competition, so there's no clash. For tennis clubs, see our separate guide on running tennis alongside the KNLTB.
Slams for the 2027 spring league
With Slams you can automate registration, the draw, the schedule and the standings for your spring league. Setting it up from September 2026 takes an hour, and after that it runs itself. Read about padel ladders. Start for free.
