The padel industry is taking a significant step toward standardization as booking giant MATCHi announces a strategic partnership with PadelLevels. This collaboration aims to establish a single, portable, and independent rating system that follows players across different clubs, countries, and management platforms.
Why Padel Needs a Universal Rating System
Currently, padel suffers from fragmented rating systems where levels are dictated by individual coaches, clubs, or apps, making it difficult for players to have a consistent, recognized skill assessment. MATCHi evaluated various options before selecting PadelLevels, prioritizing an infrastructure that operates independently rather than being trapped within a single booking system. The partnership follows a successful 12-month pilot program, including testing at the East Grinstead Sports Club in the UK, which confirmed that players value trusted, portable ratings and that clubs benefit from integrating them into their membership packages.
The initiative is built on several key pillars that ensure the system's reliability and scalability:
- Proven Algorithmic Foundation: The system is powered by LevelTech, the same technology behind SquashLevels. This algorithm has already processed over 7.5 million results across 30+ countries and is used for World Junior Ratings in association with the World Squash Federation.
- Independent Validation: To ensure fairness and accuracy, the underlying algorithm has received performance certification from the Global Sports Innovation Center, powered by Microsoft.
- Portability Across Networks: By integrating with the Matchpoint club management platform and eventually the wider MATCHi consumer booking app, the rating will remain with the player regardless of which facility they visit.
- Operator-Led Adoption: Game4Padel, one of the UK’s largest operators, is an early adopter. This allows multi-venue operators to facilitate better matchmaking and organize social or competitive play without relying on subjective, self-declared ability levels.
- Player Engagement: MATCHi leadership emphasizes that providing players with a clear view of their own progression through a reliable rating system is a proven way to keep them engaged with the sport over the long term.
As the partnership scales, the goal is to move away from "walled" ecosystems and create a connected, global infrastructure for the sport. By choosing to support independent infrastructure rather than building a proprietary, closed-off rating, MATCHi and PadelLevels aim to accelerate the professionalization of padel, mirroring the maturity seen in other established racket sports.
