Short of players? Find them with open matches
Two of you, a court booked and nobody else free? Open the match and let players at your level join.
The hardest part of padel is not the bandeja. It is finding the fourth player. Open matches are how Padli solves that.
What an open match is
An open match is a booking with free seats that other players can see and join. Players looking for a game browse the open matches near them, find one at the right time and level, and take a seat.
Opening a match
When you book a court, you can make it an open match. Then set it up so the right people join:
- Level range: from beginner to advanced, so nobody is out of their depth or bored.
- Who can join: a men's, women's or mixed match.
- A few tags that say what kind of game it is, from relaxed to competitive.
The seats you have not filled appear in the open matches list straight away.
Joining a match
Go to the open matches in Padli, or to the Matches tab on a club's page. Each match shows the club, the time, the level and who is already playing. Tap a seat to join and pay your share for it.
What happens with the money
Every player pays only their own seat, the same way splitting a court works. If the match fills, everyone plays and everyone has paid their part. The organiser never has to collect cash at the court.
Tips for a good open match
- Be honest about the level. A match where everyone is close in level is a better game for all four.
- Open it early. A match opened two days ahead fills far more easily than one opened two hours ahead.
- Say hello. You can message the players before the game. A quick "see you at 19:00" makes it a friendlier hour.
After the game
Add the score in the app. The players you met are one tap away for the next match, and plenty of regular four-somes started as an open match.
