What's new in the rules (2026)

In one minute

Padel's December 2025 rulebook (FIP) brought two things Irish players actually notice: Star Point as the pro-tour default at deuce, and tighter serve rules from 2026. Golden Point and classic advantage are still official. At Irish club level, nothing changes unless you agree it — so before the first serve, ask: "Advantage or golden point?" and watch the serve bounce before you hit.

Scoring — what's new at deuce

The point count is unchanged: 15, 30, 40, game. Sets and matches work the same as tennis. What moved in 2026 is how 40–40 (deuce) can be played.

FIP lists three official options. The tournament organiser picks one; in a friendly, you and your opponents agree before play.

Format	At 40–40	Typical use
Classic advantage	Need two consecutive points to win the game	Traditional matches, some leagues
Golden Point	One sudden-death point — winner takes the game	Very common at Irish social play
Star Point	Up to two advantages each, then one deciding point	Pro tour default from 2026

Star Point in plain English

From the first deuce:

1. Win the advantage point → you win the game. Lose it → second deuce.
2. Same again at the second deuce.
3. Still tied? Star Point — one deciding point. Receiving pair picks which side to receive.

You'll see Star Point on Premier Padel and FIP events. At local club level, many groups still use Golden Point or advantage — don't assume Star Point unless someone says so.

Golden Point — still valid, still popular

At 40–40, play one point. Winner takes the game. Receiving pair chooses left or right side for that point.

Irish club pages often list "Advantage OR Golden Point" — meaning players choose. That's why the five-second question matters.

For full scoring (tie-breaks, serve rotation, match formats), see How scoring works.

Serve — what changed in 2026

The serve is still underhand, bounce in your box, diagonal, waist height or below. Two changes are worth knowing:

One foot behind the line

You need one foot behind the service line when you hit the ball — not necessarily both. The other foot can be closer to the net, as long as you stay in the correct service box and don't touch the lines with your feet.

Ball must not cross lines before contact

After the bounce, the ball must not cross the service line or the centre line before you strike it.

If the bounce rolls forward over either line and you then hit it — fault, even if the serve would have landed in the right box.

This catches players who let a high bounce drift toward the net before serving.

For the full serve-and-return guide (faults, lets, return priorities), see Serve & return.

What to do before your next match

1. Ask the deuce format — "Advantage or golden point?" (or confirm Star Point if it's a organised event).
2. Check local house rules — warm-up length, balls, who's serving first. Court etiquette covers the social side.
3. Serve with a legal bounce — one foot behind the line; don't let the ball roll over the service or centre line before contact.
4. If you're new to the cage — walls, lines, and what's in play are in The court & what's in play.

Common mix-ups

• "Golden Point was replaced by Star Point." No — both are official options. Star Point is the pro default; Golden Point is still widely used socially.
• "My club always uses the same deuce rule." Many Irish socials let players choose — confirm each time.
• "Both feet must stay behind the service line." 2026 rules require one foot behind the line at contact.
• "A rolling bounce is fine if the serve lands in." If the ball crossed the service or centre line before you hit it, it's a fault.

What comes next

• How scoring works — full deuce, tie-break, and match formats
• Serve & return — legal serve, faults, and safe returns
• Court etiquette & safety — agree format and warm-up before play