The same prize, wildly different payouts
A player who wins a P1 event in Riyadh takes home the full €26,000. Win the same level event in London, and up to €11,700 could go straight to HMRC — leaving just €14,300. That's a €11,700 difference for the same result.
Professional padel players compete across 18 countries on the 2026 Premier Padel tour. At every stop, non-resident players face a local withholding tax on their prize money — a percentage deducted before the earnings ever hit their bank account. These rates range from 0% in the Gulf states to a painful 45% in the United Kingdom.
Understanding these tax rates matters for players, fans wondering about actual take-home pay, and anyone curious about why so many top padel athletes call Monaco, Andorra, or Dubai home. Below is the complete breakdown for every tournament on the 2026 calendar, sorted from most favorable to least.
Tax Rate at Every 2026 Premier Padel Tournament
Sorted from lowest to highest tax rate. The "Take-Home" column shows estimated prize money after withholding tax for the winner of each event.
| Tournament | Country | Level | Tax Rate | Winner Prize | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Riyadh Season P1 Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | P1 | 0% | €26,000 | €26,000 |
Doha Major Doha | Qatar | Major | 0% | €45,000 | €45,000 |
Kuwait City P1 Kuwait City | Kuwait | P1 | 0% | €26,000 | €26,000 |
Dubai P1 Dubai | UAE | P1 | 0% | €26,000 | €26,000 |
Asuncion P2 Asuncion | Paraguay | P2 | 15% | €14,750 | €12,537 |
Pretoria P2 Pretoria | South Africa | P2 | 15% | €14,750 | €12,537 |
Bordeaux P2 Bordeaux | France | P2 | 15% | €14,750 | €12,537 |
Paris Major Paris | France | Major | 15% | €45,000 | €38,250 |
Dusseldorf P2 Dusseldorf | Germany | P2 | 15.8% | €14,750 | €12,416 |
New Giza P2 New Giza | Egypt | P2 | ~20% | €14,750 | €11,800 |
Valencia P1 Valencia | Spain | P1 | 19-24% | €26,000 | €19,760 |
Malaga P1 Malaga | Spain | P1 | 19-24% | €26,000 | €19,760 |
Madrid P1 Madrid | Spain | P1 | 19-24% | €26,000 | €19,760 |
Barcelona Finals Barcelona | Spain | Finals | 19-24% | €45,000 | €34,200 |
Gijon P2 Gijon | Spain | P2 | 19-24% | €14,750 | €11,210 |
Valladolid P2 Valladolid | Spain | P2 | 19-24% | €14,750 | €11,210 |
Cancun P2 Cancun | Mexico | P2 | 25% | €14,750 | €11,062 |
Acapulco Major Acapulco | Mexico | Major | 25% | €45,000 | €33,750 |
Rotterdam P2 Rotterdam | Netherlands | P2 | ~25% | €14,750 | €11,062 |
Buenos Aires P1 Buenos Aires | Argentina | P1 | 24.5-35% | €26,000 | €18,720 |
Rome Major Rome | Italy | Major | 30% | €45,000 | €31,500 |
Milan P1 Milan | Italy | P1 | 30% | €26,000 | €18,200 |
Miami P1 Miami | USA | P1 | 30% | €26,000 | €18,200 |
Brussels P2 Brussels | Belgium | P2 | ~33% | €14,750 | €9,882 |
London P1 London | United Kingdom | P1 | 20-45% | €26,000 | €14,300 |
The Tax-Free Tournaments: 0% Withholding
Four of the 2026 Premier Padel events take place in Gulf states with zero personal income tax: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. For players, these are the most lucrative stops on the calendar — not because the prize pools are necessarily the largest, but because they keep every cent.
The Doha Major is particularly attractive: with an estimated winner's prize of €45,000 per player and 0% tax, it delivers maximum financial reward. Compare that to the Rome Major at the same level but 30% withholding — a €13,500 difference for the same achievement.
Low Tax Stops: Under 16%
A handful of countries offer relatively light tax treatment for visiting athletes. France charges around 15% for non-resident sportspeople, making Paris and Bordeaux friendlier than you might expect for a European Major. Germany's final withholding of 15.825% is also on the lower end, and players from EEA countries can deduct expenses to reduce their taxable base further.
Paraguay and South Africa round out this tier at 15%, offering decent value for the South American and African legs of the tour.
The Middle Ground: 19-25%
Spain dominates the 2026 calendar with six events, and charges 19% for EU/EEA residents or 24% for everyone else. For an Argentine player without EU passport, competing in Valencia, Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona (Finals), Gijon, and Valladolid means losing 24% of all Spanish prize money — across six tournaments, that adds up significantly.
EU players get a meaningful 5% advantage at every Spanish stop. This is one reason why European-based players have a structural financial edge in the sport.
Mexico (25%) and the Netherlands (~25%) round out the mid-range. The Acapulco Major — with its larger prize pool — means the withholding amount in absolute terms is substantial: roughly €11,250 withheld from a winner.
The Heavy Hitters: 28-45%
The most expensive places to win a padel tournament? Argentina (up to 35%), Italy (30%), the USA (30%), Belgium (~33%), and the United Kingdom (up to 45%).
The UK stands out as the single most expensive country on the entire tour for non-resident athletes. London's new P1 event will be a highlight for fans, but the taxman takes the biggest slice anywhere on the calendar. A winner could lose nearly half their prize money before leaving the country.
The USA's 30% federal rate applies at the Miami P1. One saving grace: Florida has no state income tax, unlike states such as California or New York that would add another 10-13% on top. Italy's two events (Rome Major, Milan P1) both carry the 30% non-resident rate, making them among the costliest destinations in Europe.
Why So Many Players Live in Monaco, Andorra, or Dubai
If you've ever wondered why top padel players settle in Monaco, Andorra, or Dubai rather than their home country, the tax table above tells the story. These locations offer zero or very low personal income tax.
A player domiciled in Spain would pay Spanish income tax (up to 47%) on their worldwide earnings, on top of any foreign withholding tax. Move to Monaco? They only pay the local withholding at each tournament — nothing on top. Over a full season of €200,000+ in prize money, the savings can be six figures.
This isn't unique to padel. Tennis, golf, and Formula 1 athletes have long optimized residency for tax purposes. As padel prize money grows, expect more players to make the same move.
Double Taxation Treaties: The Safety Net
Most countries have bilateral double taxation treaties (DTTs) to prevent athletes from being taxed twice on the same income. Under these treaties, tax paid in the tournament country can typically be credited against tax owed in the player's home country.
However, not all country pairs have treaties. Where no DTT exists, players can face genuine double taxation. This is particularly relevant for players from certain South American countries competing in Europe, or vice versa. Professional athletes at this level typically work with international tax advisors to navigate these complexities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do padel players pay tax on prize money?
Which 2026 Premier Padel tournaments have 0% tax?
Which country has the highest tax on padel prize money?
Why do padel players live in Monaco or Dubai?
Do players get double-taxed on prize money?
How much does a P1 winner actually take home?
Is padel prize money taxed differently from tennis?
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