FunPadel
FunPadel is a custom padel app development project that delivered a cross-platform mobile application for the rapidly growing padel tennis community. As a Playtomic alternative with enhanced tournament management features, the app enables players to discover, create, and participate in tournaments while building a network of fellow enthusiasts.
Goal
Build a comprehensive tournament management app that digitizes the entire event lifecycle—from discovery to final rankings. With sophisticated tournament management software including Americano and Mexicano formats, real-time scoring, and an ELO rating system algorithm, FunPadel needed to transform how padel communities organize events—going beyond basic court booking apps to provide complete tournament management functionality.
Outcome
Cross-platform launch on both App Store and Google Play within the 6-month MVP timeline. 100+ active players using the padel app to organize and participate in tournaments across Portugal, Poland, Abu Dhabi, Bali, Thailand, and beyond. 28+ app versions released post-launch, incorporating user feedback. Streamlined operations replacing manual spreadsheet coordination with automated tournament management software.
Why Build a Custom Padel App?
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, creating significant opportunities for padel app development. The sport has exploded from niche European popularity to a global phenomenon.
The Challenge
While platforms like Playtomic excel at court booking, tournament organizers needed more sophisticated tournament management software. The client—an active padel community organizer—faced challenges that generic padel booking apps couldn't solve.
- Manual coordination: Organizing tournaments via WhatsApp groups and spreadsheets was time-consuming and error-prone. Tournament organizers spent hours coordinating players, tracking scores, and calculating rankings manually.
- Complex tournament formats: Americano and Mexicano padel tournament styles require sophisticated player rotation algorithms not found in standard apps. These formats demand dynamic pairing systems that ensure fair play and maximum engagement.
- Player ranking needs: No standardized ELO rating system to track skill levels and enable skill-based matchmaking. Without proper rankings, tournaments couldn't balance competitive play effectively.
- Community fragmentation: Players struggled to discover events outside their immediate network—needed better player matching features. Local communities remained isolated without a unified platform for event discovery.
- Custom requirements: Existing padel club management software lacked the flexibility for independent tournament organizers. Off-the-shelf solutions were designed for club operations, not community-driven events.
Our Approach
We developed a comprehensive tournament management app that digitizes the entire event lifecycle—from discovery to final rankings. Unlike basic court booking apps, our padel app development approach addressed the full spectrum of tournament management needs.
Tournament Creation & Management
- Organizers can create events through an intuitive wizard interface
- Configure everything from match format (games, balls, time, or sets) to participant restrictions
- Set gender requirements, rating ranges, and player count limits
- Support for both public and private events with deep-link sharing capabilities
- Seamless player invitations through shareable tournament links
Tournament Bracket Generator & Player Distribution
- Americano Format: Pre-generates all match pairings using round-robin scheduling, ensuring every player partners with and plays against each other exactly once
- Mexicano Format: Dynamically rotates players after each match based on results, with winners advancing to higher-ranked courts—true skill-based matchmaking in action
- Optimal player distribution algorithms for fair and balanced tournaments
ELO Rating System Algorithm
- Each player starts with 1,000 rating points
- Match outcomes adjust ratings using coefficients based on combined team ratings
- Rewards wins against stronger opponents with larger rating gains
- Weekly decay (1.85%) to encourage active participation
- Separate rating categories for different tournament types—critical for competitive padel communities
Key Features Delivered
Event Discovery & Filtering
The discovery system recommends events based on location, rating, and preferences—enabling players to find tournaments and partners at their skill level. Advanced filtering helps players find exactly what they're looking for.
One-tap Event Registration
Streamlined registration process allows players to join tournaments with a single tap. Reserve player management ensures events run smoothly even with last-minute changes.
Personal ELO Rating Tracking
User profiles showcase statistics, upcoming events, and match history. Players can track their rating progression over time and see how they compare to the community.
Tournament Wizard Setup
Complete tournament creation wizard for organizers. Configure match formats, set participant restrictions, and publish events with deep-link sharing capabilities for seamless player invitations.
Real-time Score Entry
Multi-admin support allows any court player to input live scores, with conflict resolution for simultaneous updates. Scores update in real-time across all connected devices.
Push Notifications
Players stay informed about tournament updates, invitations, and schedule changes through Firebase Cloud Messaging. Never miss an important match or event update.
Skill-based Player Matching
The ELO system enables accurate skill-based matchmaking, ensuring balanced and competitive games. Players are matched with opponents of similar ability for better experiences.
Deep-link Event Sharing
Seamless event sharing via unique URLs that work across app and web with automatic store redirects for new users who don't have the app installed yet.
Padel App Development Timeline
Phase 1: MVP Development
6 months
- Application architecture and initialization
- Multi-method authentication (email, Google, Apple)
- Event creation wizard with full configuration options
- Player management (invitations, pairs, reserves)
- Tournament progression engine and ELO rating calculations
- User profiles with statistics and match history
- Push notification system (Firebase integration)
- Event search with advanced filtering and sorting
- App Store and Google Play publication
Phase 2: Extended Features
3 months
- Swap functionality for flexible player management
- Real-time tournament editing during active events
- Updated support channel integration
- Performance optimizations based on user feedback
- Additional tournament format support
- Enhanced analytics and statistics
Team
Development Approach:
- Agile methodology with bi-weekly sprints and regular demos
- Close collaboration with the client who actively tested features in real tournaments
- Continuous iteration based on real-world usage feedback
- 28+ app versions released, demonstrating commitment to ongoing improvement
Technical Stack for Padel App Development
Technology Stack:
Tournament Algorithm Engine:
Built custom tournament bracket generator algorithms for Americano (round-robin pairing) and Mexicano (dynamic court rotation) formats with optimal player distribution. The algorithms ensure every player gets equal playing time and faces a variety of opponents throughout the tournament.
Real-time Score Updates:
Multi-admin support allows any court player to input live scores, with conflict resolution for simultaneous updates. The system handles edge cases gracefully, ensuring data integrity even when multiple users submit scores at the same time.
Player Ranking Algorithm:
Implemented coefficient-based ELO rating system with team rating differentials, capped adjustments, and automated weekly decay for accurate skill-based matchmaking. The system accounts for team compositions in doubles matches, distributing rating changes fairly between partners.
Deep Linking Integration:
Seamless event sharing via unique URLs that work across app and web with automatic store redirects for new users. Players can share tournament links via any messaging platform, and new users are guided through app installation before joining the event.
Beyond Court Booking: A Playtomic Alternative
While Playtomic and similar padel booking apps excel at court reservation, FunPadel addresses the complete tournament management lifecycle. This custom padel app development project delivers features that generic platforms lack: sophisticated Americano/Mexicano format algorithms, a comprehensive ELO rating system for player rankings, and real-time multi-admin scoring.
For padel communities that need more than basic court booking, custom development delivers the flexibility and features that off-the-shelf solutions cannot match. The app was built specifically for tournament organizers who were frustrated with managing events through spreadsheets and WhatsApp groups.
FunPadel demonstrates how custom padel app development can transform niche sports communities. By combining deep domain knowledge with modern cross-platform development practices (React Native, Node.js, PostgreSQL), we delivered a tournament management platform that exceeds the capabilities of generic padel booking apps.
Results & Impact
- 100+ active players using the padel app to organize and participate in tournaments across Portugal, Poland, Abu Dhabi, Bali, Thailand, and beyond
- Cross-platform launch: Published on both App Store and Google Play within the 6-month MVP timeline
- Active community adoption with regular tournament organization through the platform
- Continuous iteration: 28+ app versions released post-launch, incorporating user feedback
- Streamlined operations replacing manual spreadsheet coordination with automated tournament management software
- Scalable foundation supporting future expansion to new regions and tournament formats