+186% more prize money since WPT
When the World Padel Tour was at its peak in 2021, total season prize money was roughly €2,800,000. In 2026, Premier Padel offers approximately €8,000,000 — a 186% increase. Top event prizes have gone from €200,000 to €500,000.
The World Padel Tour (WPT) was the dominant professional circuit from 2005 to 2022. Then everything changed. The International Padel Federation (FIP) launched Premier Padel, backed by the International Olympic Committee and Qatar Sports Investments, creating a new global tour with dramatically higher prize money and worldwide reach.
After a period of rival tours, legal battles, and player boycotts, the tours unified in late 2023 under the Premier Padel brand. Here's how the two compare on everything from prize money to player freedom.
Head-to-Head Comparison
How Premier Padel compares to the former World Padel Tour across key metrics.
| Feature | WPT | Premier Padel |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Body | Private company (Estrella Galicia) | FIP (International Padel Federation)+ |
| Top Tournament Prize Pool | €200,000 (Master Final) | €500,000 (Major)+ |
| Mid-Tier Prize Pool | €100,000-€150,000 (Master) | €260,000 (P1)+ |
| Entry-Level Prize Pool | €50,000-€80,000 (Open) | €147,500 (P2)+ |
| Winner Prize (Top Event) | €~20,000/player | €45,000/player+ |
| Global Reach | Primarily Spain + 3-4 countries | 18 countries across 5 continents+ |
| TV Coverage | Spain-focused (Movistar+) | Global (ESPN, Sky, Fox, beIN)+ |
| Gender Pay Equality | Unequal (men paid more) | Equal prize money for men and women+ |
| Player Contract Freedom | Exclusive contracts required | No exclusive contracts+ |
| Events Per Season | ~24 events | ~25 events |
| Year Established | 2005 | 2022 |
Prize Money Growth: 2019 to 2026
How total season prize money evolved from the WPT era to Premier Padel.
| Year | Tour | Top Event Prize | Total Season | Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | WPT | €150,000 | €2,500,000 | 22 |
| 2020 | WPT | €150,000 | €1,800,000 | 16 |
| 2021 | WPT | €200,000 | €2,800,000 | 24 |
| 2022 | Premier Padel | €350,000 | €4,500,000 | 20 |
| 2023 | Premier Padel | €400,000 | €5,500,000 | 22 |
| 2024 | Premier Padel | €500,000 | €7,000,000 | 24 |
| 2025 | Premier Padel | €500,000 | €7,500,000 | 25 |
| 2026 | Premier Padel | €500,000 | €8,000,000 | 25 |
The Biggest Changes for Players
Much Higher Prize Money
The most obvious difference. A WPT Master (the mid-tier event) offered around €120,000 in total prize money. A Premier Padel P1 (equivalent tier) offers €260,000 — more than double. For winners specifically, payouts went from roughly €20,000 per player at a WPT Master to €26,000 at a P1, and from €20,000 at a Master Final to €45,000 at a Major.
Global Calendar
The WPT was heavily Spain-centric. Of its ~24 annual events, the vast majority were held in Spain, with occasional stops in other countries. Premier Padel operates across 18 countries on 5 continents: Spain, France, Italy, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, USA, Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, South Africa, Egypt, and more.
No More Exclusive Contracts
One of the most controversial aspects of the WPT was its requirement for exclusive player contracts. Players were effectively prevented from competing in non-WPT events, limiting their earning potential and career flexibility. Premier Padel dropped this requirement entirely — players are free to compete wherever they choose.
Equal Pay for Men and Women
Under the WPT, prize money for the women's tour was significantly lower than the men's. Premier Padel introduced equal prize money from day one — men's and women's draws receive the same prize pool at every tournament level. This was a landmark move for the sport.
Global TV Coverage
WPT was primarily broadcast via Movistar+ in Spain. Premier Padel secured deals with ESPN (Americas), Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Asia/Australia), beIN Sports (Middle East), and Canal+ (France), bringing padel to a global audience for the first time.
How Tournament Levels Map
How the old WPT tournament tiers roughly correspond to Premier Padel levels.
World Padel Tour
Premier Padel
What Stayed the Same
Despite all the changes, the core of the sport remains unchanged. The rules, court dimensions, equipment, and team format (doubles) are identical. The same players who dominated the WPT — including names like Ale Galan, Agustin Tapia, Arturo Coello, Gemma Triay, and Ariana Sanchez — continue to dominate on Premier Padel.
The season structure is similar too: ~25 events per year, with different tier levels and a season-ending championship. The key improvement is simply more money, more countries, and better conditions for players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the World Padel Tour?
Is Premier Padel better than WPT?
How much more prize money does Premier Padel offer?
Do Premier Padel and WPT still both exist?
Why did players leave the WPT?
Who runs Premier Padel?
Related Reading
Track Player Earnings Live
See how much every player has earned on the Premier Padel tour.