Padel Americano: rules, schedules and how to run one
A padel Americano is a social tournament where you get a new partner every round and keep the points your side scores. Each match is played to a fixed total, usually 24 points. After the last round, the player with the most points wins. Below are the rules, the timings and a ready schedule for 5 to 16 players.
What is a padel Americano?
An Americano is the most popular way to play social padel with four or more people. Three rules define it:
- You change partner every round, so you play with as many people as possible.
- Each match is played to a fixed total of points, most often 24.
- You keep the points your side scores, win or lose. Whoever has the most points after the last round wins.
Nobody is stuck with a strong or a weak partner all night, so it stays fair and friendly even when levels differ.
How does scoring work?
Every rally is one point, whoever serves. The match ends when the two scores add up to the agreed total, so at 24 it can end 14-10, 13-11 or even 12-12.
The scoring guide covers 16, 21, 24 and 32 points, and the serving guide explains who serves when.
How many rounds, and how long does it take?
At 24 points, a round takes about 16 minutes, including the walk to the next court. Most groups play 7 or 8 rounds in two hours. Click a number in the table to see every round.
| Players | Courts | Rounds | Minutes at 24 points | Who sits out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 players | 1 | 5 | 80 | 1 each round |
| 6 players | 1 | 6 | 95 | 2 each round |
| 7 players | 1 | 7 | 111 | 3 each round |
| 8 players | 2 | 7 | 111 | nobody |
| 9 players | 2 | 9 | 143 | 1 each round |
| 10 players | 2 | 8 | 127 | 2 each round |
| 11 players | 2 | 8 | 127 | 3 each round |
| 12 players | 3 | 8 | 127 | nobody |
| 13 players | 3 | 8 | 127 | 1 each round |
| 14 players | 3 | 7 | 111 | 2 each round |
| 15 players | 3 | 8 | 127 | 3 each round |
| 16 players | 4 | 8 | 127 | nobody |
With 4 players, everyone has partnered everyone after 3 rounds. Then start again.
Who sits out when the numbers do not divide by four?
Each court holds four, so the players left over sit out a round. In a fair schedule:
- Nobody sits out twice in a row if the numbers allow it.
- Everyone ends with the same number of games, or one fewer at most.
Whether a sit-out earns points is up to you. The sit-out guide explains the options and shows who rests when for 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 players.
Which schedule do I need?
Count your players, then pick your courts:
- 4, 8, 12 or 16 players on 1, 2, 3 or 4 courts: everyone plays every round. With 8, 7 rounds give every possible partner.
- 5 to 7 players on 1 court, or 9 to 11 on 2: one to three players rest each round.
Each schedule page has the full draw for every court count, a round 1 diagram, the timing and a print view.
Which Americano variants exist?
- Team Americano: partners stay together all night and only the opponents rotate.
- Mixed Americano: partners rotate, but every pair has one player from each of two groups, usually a woman and a man.
- Mexicano: after round 1 the standings decide who plays whom, so matches stay close.
- A final or semi-finals: the top four, eight or sixteen play a knockout after the last round.
How do I run one tonight?
- Count your players and courts, and agree the points per match. 24 is a safe choice.
- Get a schedule: print one from this site, or let an app draw it.
- Write down both scores after each round and add up each player's points at the end.
The step-by-step guide covers the whole evening, from booking courts to the winner.
Questions people ask
What is a padel Americano?
A social padel tournament for four or more players. You change partner every round, each match is played to a fixed total of points, and you keep the points your side scores. The player with the most points at the end wins.
How many players do you need for a padel Americano?
Four is the minimum, for one court. Any number works, because players who do not fit on a court sit out a round in turn. Groups of 8, 12 or 16 fill 2, 3 or 4 courts exactly.
How long does a padel Americano take?
About 16 minutes a round at 24 points, including the change of courts. Eight rounds take a little over two hours. Shorter matches of 16 points take about 11 minutes a round.
What is the difference between Americano and Mexicano?
In an Americano the whole schedule is drawn before you start, so partners rotate by plan. In a Mexicano each round after the first is drawn from the standings, so you play with and against people near your level.
Do you need an app to run an Americano?
No. A printed schedule and a pen work. An app saves you the maths when someone arrives late or leaves, adds up the points for you and lets everyone follow the standings on their own phone.