01 / Academy (16–18)
Zero entry fees
No entry, registration or division fees for PAC combines or championships. Spots are earned through verified court play.
PAC / Professional age-group division · Ages 16–18
PADL Academy Circuit
The next generation of pro racquet sports starts here.
The PADL Academy Circuit (PAC) is the professional division for players ages 16 through 18. Academy athletes are pro players in their age group, part of their city’s professional pickleball team alongside Pro and Legends. Padel and tennis have separate player rosters and head coaches under the same franchise. Developmental players are part of the same franchise’s practice squad within the PPC system.
12 inaugural city franchisesAmerican + National ConferencesInaugural dates forthcoming
The opportunity
What no other tour offers teen athletes.
Explore openings in the PADL Pro Circuit. Share your experience and connect with the team responsible for your role.
02 / Academy (16–18)
Name, image and likeness
PAC athletes compete under a name, image and likeness (NIL) framework: they keep their name and image rights, can sign sponsorship deals while they play, and can direct earnings toward education savings. Each arrangement is set out in the athlete’s own agreement.
03 / Academy (16–18)
Ages 14–15: the Developmental League
The PADL Developmental League is your city team’s semi-pro minor-league and practice squad within the PADL Pro Circuit. Players ages 14–15 train, develop and compete as part of the same team, one step below its professional rosters, and can be called up to play in professional competition.
04 / Academy (16–18)
Broadcast exposure
Professional Academy competition receives PADL TV coverage with commentary and match data. Broadcast schedules will be announced.
05 / Academy (16–18)
Travel & gear support
Player agreements include franchise-covered travel for the traveling squad and team competition gear for rostered athletes.
06 / Academy (16–18)
A professional roster
Academy players occupy eight professional roster spots — four doubles teams — within their city’s 24-player pickleball roster. They compete as professionals in the 16–18 age group.
Who we’re looking for
Bring your experience.
Help set the standard.
- Professional age-group competitors ages 16 through 18
- Ages 14–15 join the same team’s semi-pro Developmental practice squad within PPC, with opportunities for professional call-up
- PADL Rookie membership with parent or guardian consent and a verified PPI record
- Team-first conduct, academic standing and readiness for a broadcast stage
Start the conversation
How you earn your spot.
- 01
Register at Rookie
Create a Rookie membership at padl-usa.com or in the PADL App, with a parent or guardian co-signing.
- 02
Activate your NFT Scorecard
Your NFT scoring ID authenticates every verified match.
- 03
Build your PPI
Log verified matches at your local indoor facility to build your PADL Performance Index.
- 04
Earn your professional roster spot
Top verified PPI players ages 16–18 compete for invitations to their city’s PAC Regional Combine, then drafted onto an eight-player Academy roster — one of four doubles teams in your city’s 24-player pickleball roster.
Academy (16–18) / Expression of interest
Be part of the first chapter.
Parent or guardian contact, PADL ID, recent verified results, school and home city. Contact athlete relations for professional Academy openings and selection dates.
Contact the recruitment team about openings, requirements and selection dates.
Find your place in the circuit
A league built by all of us.
Fans, athletes, coaches, officials, production crews and host facilities. Three sports, separate players and coaches, one city organization.
Fans
Fans first. Owners next. Explore four VIP levels and help shape your city’s franchise.
Explore fans
Players
Dedicated players for each sport. Build your verified PPI in pickleball, tennis or padel and compete for a place on your city’s roster in that sport. The divisions below describe pickleball.
Coaches
Each franchise has three head coaches — one for padel, one for tennis and one for pickleball — with sport-specific support staffs and separate players. Lead your sport under one shared franchise General Manager / Director of Racquet Sports and front office.
Explore coaches
Officials
Bring confident calls, calm control and professional standards to padel, tennis or pickleball competition. Sport-specific officiating crews follow each sport’s own rulebook within one league organization.
Explore officials
Broadcast
One city brand across padel, tennis and pickleball. Cover distinct players, coaches and competition formats through multi-camera production, mic’d-up athletes and live matchday atmosphere.
Explore broadcast
Host venues
During Years 1–3, each franchise’s separate rosters compete at sport-specific partner venues: padel clubs, tennis facilities and indoor pickleball centers. One organization coordinates all three sports. Once the multi-use arena is complete, all three annual seasons shift to the same facility.
Explore host venues