HIGHVELD PADEL LEAGUE 26’ OFFICIAL RULE BOOK
Season 2 Rules & Regulations
1. LEAGUE OVERVIEW & STRUCTURE
Highveld Padel League 26’ is a structured competitive padel league hosted at Lob & Lounge.
The league consists of 10 teams, each made up of 11 players.
The league aims to promote competitive padel while maintaining sportsmanship, respect, and community culture.
Structure:
● The league will consist of one group of 10 teams.
● All teams will play each other in a round-robin format
● There will be no home or away fixtures.
2. TEAM STRUCTURE & PLAYER TIERS
Each team must consist of the following tier structure:
● 1 x Tier 1 Player
● 3 x Tier 2 Players
● 3 x Tier 3 Players
● 3 x Tier 4 Players
● 1 x Tier 4 Junior/Beginner player that will be given for free.
Tier placement will be determined by the Highveld Padel League committee review. Players may not change tiers once confirmed unless approved by the league committee.
3. AUCTION & TEAM OWNERSHIP
The league is limited to 10 official teams, including co-owned teams.
Owners will participate in an Auction Draft to select players for their teams.
Each team will select players according to the official tier requirements and funds available.
Once teams are confirmed, changes are not permitted unless approved by the league committee.
4. FEES & PAYMENTS
All players are responsible for match fees as communicated by the league.
Players may be subject to contribute to the following where applicable:
● Player registration/affiliation fees
● Team kit design and branding
Payment deadlines are strict. Failure to pay may result in removal from the league.
5. FIXTURES & SCHEDULING
Fixtures will be released prior to the league start date.
All matches must be played on the scheduled date and time unless rescheduled through official league approval.
Captains must confirm fixture attendance and player pairings by the deadline provided.
Rescheduling requests must be submitted at least 48 hours before match time, unless in emergencies.
6. MATCHDAY SQUAD SUBMISSION
Each team must submit a squad of 8 players for each matchday.
Team lists must be submitted no later than 12:00 PM on matchday.
Only submitted players are eligible to participate.
7. PRE-MATCH PROCEDURE
Captains or marquee players must be present 10 minutes before the match starts.
A coin toss will determine pairing order.
8. PAIRING SYSTEM
The captain who loses the toss submits the first pair.
The opposing captain selects a matching pair.
Captains alternate until all 4 pairs are matched.
Each team fields 4 pairs (8 Players)
A tier 1 cannot play against or partner a tier 4.
All 10 players need to play a minimum of 3 games for the league duration.
Each junior/beginner wildcard player must play a minimum of 1 game for the league duration.
9. MATCH FORMAT
Each match consists of 3 sets:
Set 1: First to 6 games.
Set 2: First to 6 games.
Set 3: Best of 8 games.
If set 3 ends 4-4, both teams receive 4 points.
10. SCORING SYSTEM
Standings are based on total games (points) won.
Each game equals 1 point.
League standings are based on total match points accumulated across fixtures.
All results must be submitted immediately after the fixture.
11. TIEBREAKER RULES
At 6-6 in sets 1 & 2, a tiebreak is played (first to 7, win by 2).
The winner is awarded a 7-6 score.
No tiebreak in Set 3.
12. PLAYER SUBSTITUTIONS
Each team must have at least 1 substitute available.
Substitutions allowed only for injury.
Substitutes must be the same tier or lower.
Tier 1 players can only be replaced by a tier 1.
Higher-tier players may not be replaced by lower-tier players.
Substitution is final for the match.
A player cannot play two matches in one night for their team, substitutes have been allocated for each team.
13. LATE ARRIVAL / FORFEIT
Teams must be ready at start time.
A grace period may apply.
Failure may result in forfeits (e.g., 6-0,6-0)
14. KNOCKOUT STAGES
After the round-robin stage, the league will proceed to knockout rounds.
15. SEMI FINALS & FINALS RULES
Top teams on the log will qualify (e.g. top 8).
Quarterfinals: 1st vs 8th, 2nd vs 7th, etc.
Semifinals: Winners of the quarterfinals.
Losers Final: Lossers of Semifinals
Final: Winners of the semifinals compete for the title.
If teams are tied on points in knockout matches:
1. Total sets won
2. Head-to-head result
3. Deciding tiebreak match if required
16. PLAYER CONDUCT & SPORTSMANSHIP
Highveld Padel League is built on respect, class, and sportsmanship
The following will not be tolerated:
● Cheating or bending rules
● Unsportsmanlike behaviour
● Abuse toward opponents, referees, or league admins
● Intimidation or aggressive behaviour
Any misconduct may result in penalties including point deductions, match forfeits, suspension, or removal from the league.
Disputes must be raised immediately after matches.
The organisers decision is FINAL.
17. FOUL PLAY & PENAL TIES
Violations:
Late arrival, late submission, rule breaches will result in a 3-point deduction.
If foul play is reported, the league committee will investigate
Penalties may include:
● Replay of the match
● Awarding points to the affected team
● Official warning
● Suspension or removal
All disciplinary decisions by the league committee are final.
18. FORFEITS & ILLEGAL PAIRINGS
In the event of a forfeit, the non offending team will be awarded 60 points (Equivalent to 75% of the total fixture points)
The opposing team will receive 0 points. Repeated forfeits may result in a reduction of awarded points at the organisers discretion
In the case of illegal pairings (teams not complying with the tier structure or match rules), the fixture will be deemed a forfeit. The compliant team will be awarded 60 points (75% of total fixture points,) while the non-compliant team will receive 0 points.All decisions regarding forfeits and rule breaches remain at the discretion of Highveld Padel Management.
19. OWNERS, MANAGERS & MARQUEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The following form part of their responsible:
● Submitting pairings on time
● Communicating with players and league admin
● Ensuring players arrive on time
● Ensuring sportsmanship and professionalism.
Owners, managers or marquees act as the main point of contact between the league and the team.
20. MEDIA, MARKETING & CONTENT
Highveld Padel League reserves the right to film, photograph, and post match content.
Players agree to appear in league media unless they opt out formally.
Team owners may receive marketing content as part of their package.
Players and teams are encouraged to share league content to grow the league community.
21. LEAGUE ADMIN RIGHTS
The league committee reserves the right to:
● Adjust fixtures if required
● Make decisions on disputes
● Enforce rules
● Modify rules for the benefit of fairness and league growth.
All league admin decisions are final.
22. FINAL NOTES
Highveld Padel League 26’ is a community-driven league. Respect the game, respect the league, respect each other.
Let’s keep the spirit of Highveld Padel alive: competitive, loud, and legendary.
