Guide
King of the Court in padel: rules, format and tips (vinnarbana)
King of the Court, vinnarbana in Swedish, is one of the most fun formats in padel. Everyone plays a lot, levels sort themselves out and the pace is fast. Here's how it works and how to organize your own night.
What is King of the Court?
King of the Court is a multi-court format where courts are ranked from the "king court" (court 1) downward. Winning pairs move up one court after each round, losing pairs move down. The goal is to reach, and stay on, the king court for as long as possible.
The format is a classic at Swedish padel clubs and is used at social nights, in club leagues and in tournaments. It works for 8–20+ players and scales with the number of courts you have.
The rules in 60 seconds
- Number the courts: court 1 = king court, court 2, court 3 and so on.
- Spread the pairs evenly across the courts by approximate level.
- Play a round (e.g. 10 minutes or a short set to 4 games).
- The winning pair on each court moves up one court.
- The losing pair moves down one court.
- On court 1 the winner stays; on the last court the loser stays.
- Some variants swap partners between rounds for a more social feel.
How many players and courts?
| Courts | Players | Recommended round |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 8 | 10–12 min |
| 3 | 12 | 10 min |
| 4 | 16 | 8–10 min |
| 5 | 20 | 8 min |
Scoring King of the Court
Several scoring systems are common. Pick the one that fits your level and how long the night is:
- Timed round, play as many games as you can in e.g. 10 minutes. Most games wins the round.
- Short set to 4 or 6 games, with a tiebreak if the score is level.
- Points pot, count every game won per individual across the night. King court can weigh more (e.g. 1.5x).
- Court + games, a higher court gives base points, plus your games won.
King of the Court vs Americano: which to pick?
King of the Court
- Pairs stay together for a round.
- Fast pace, clear "top of the mountain" goal.
- Levels sort themselves out.
- Best with 2–5 courts.
Americano
- All individuals rotate every round.
- Individual points pot, great for mixed levels.
- More social, you play with everyone.
- Works from 1 court and up.
Want to dig deeper? Read our guide on how Americano works and compare for yourself.
How to organize a King of the Court night
- Book 2–4 adjacent courts for 90–120 minutes.
- Create the match in Padelpoolen and tag it as "King of the Court".
- Invite 8–16 players at similar levels.
- Assign pairs to courts before the first round starts.
- Use a visible timer, swap courts when the round ends, not mid-game.
- Track points in a simple table (paper, phone or Padelpoolen's tournament view).
- Finish with a small award for the king court and the night's top player.
Tips for smooth rotations
- Post the court order so everyone knows where to go after the round.
- Use a shared timer so rotations happen at the same time.
- Switch sides only when the round ends, never mid-game.
- Have a substitute ready in case someone drops out.
- Mix partner rules occasionally to make it more social.
Create a King of the Court on Padelpoolen
Padelpoolen supports both King of the Court and Americano. Create a match, invite your community and let the app keep track of pairs, rounds and points.
FAQ about King of the Court
What is King of the Court in padel?
A format where courts are ranked and pairs move up or down between rounds based on results.
How many players do you need?
8 for 2 courts, 12 for 3, 16 for 4.
Difference from Americano?
Americano rotates individuals and scores personal points. King of the Court keeps pairs together and moves them between courts.
How long is a round?
Usually 8–12 minutes or a short set to 4–6 games.
How is scoring done?
Total games won per player across the night is the most common; the king court can weigh more.