Mexicano & Americano Padel Rules Explained | Fun Padel Game Formats for All Levels

What Are Mexicano and Americano in Padel?

Padel isn’t just about serious tournaments and rankings — it’s also about fun, social formats that bring the community together. Two of the most popular versions used in local clubs and friendly competitions are called Americano and Mexicano.

These formats are designed so that every player gets to play multiple short matches with different partners. This keeps games dynamic and ensures everyone meets new people, regardless of skill level. It’s the perfect setup for social evenings, club tournaments, or corporate events.

Before diving into the rules, let’s clarify something important: both Americano and Mexicano are individual competitions played as doubles. You always play doubles matches, but your score counts individually — not as a team. That means you can change partners every round and still be competing for yourself.

The Americano Format: Fast, Fun, and Perfect for All Levels

The Americano format is the simpler of the two and a great choice for mixed groups and social events. Each player competes individually, but every round is played as a doubles match with a new partner.

How It Works

• All players are assigned random partners and opponents for the first round.
• Each round is usually played to 21 points (or for a fixed time, e.g. 15 minutes).
• The score you achieve as a team is also your individual score.
• After each round, partners and opponents rotate.
• At the end, the player with the most total points wins the event.

Example Round

Let’s say four players — Anna, Ben, Carla, and David — are playing:

1. Round 1: Anna & Ben vs. Carla & David → Score: 21–17
2. Anna and Ben each get 21 points.
3. Carla and David each get 17 points.

Next round, new pairings are formed automatically by the tournament system or organizer.

Pro tip: Many clubs use apps like PadelManager or Playtomic to automatically rotate players and track points.

Why Players Love the Americano

• Great for beginners and mixed skill levels.
• Everyone plays the same number of matches.
• Quick and easy to organize — no knockout brackets needed.
• Perfect for club nights or corporate events.

The Mexicano Format: Competitive and Dynamic

The Mexicano format builds on Americano but adds a layer of strategy and competition. It’s ideal for players who enjoy friendly rivalry and want matches to get more challenging as the event progresses.

How It Works

• The first round starts randomly, just like an Americano.
• After each round, players are re-ranked based on their total points.
• Winners play winners, and losers play losers in the next round.
• This creates fairer matches and increases intensity as the event continues.
• Final rankings are based on total points after all rounds.

Example Progression

Round 1: random matches.

Round 2: the top 4 scorers play against each other, while the bottom 4 face each other. By the final rounds, you’re playing opponents who performed similarly to you — creating exciting, balanced games.

Why Mexicano Is Great for Clubs

• More balanced matches as rounds progress.
• Ideal for ranking nights and league play.
• Keeps players motivated and engaged until the last round.
• Encourages competitive spirit while staying social.

Americano vs. Mexicano: Side-by-Side Comparison

Tips for Organizing an Americano or Mexicano Tournament

• Use a management app like PadelManager or Rankedin to automate matchups and results.
• Decide your scoring system early (e.g., first to 21 points or 15-minute timed rounds).
• Announce prizes for the top three players — small incentives like grip tape, padel balls, or store vouchers increase participation.
• Take photos of players and winners — great content for your club’s social media or e-commerce site!

Example: Scoring Sheet Template

Here’s what a simple scoring sheet might look like for an Americano tournament with 8 players:

You can easily export results into a leaderboard or share them with participants at the end of the event.

Comprehensive Example: How Scoring Works in Americano and Mexicano

Let’s look at how the individual point system actually plays out in real match examples. In both formats, every player earns the same number of points their team scores — but in Mexicano, who you play next depends on how well you did before.

Americano Example — All Points Count Equally

In this example, Ben wins the Americano with 63 points. The key takeaway: you score for every point your team wins, no matter your partner.

Mexicano Example — Cumulative Scoring & Progressive Pairings

In a Mexicano, each player keeps adding up the points they earn in every round. The next round’s matches are determined by cumulative total points — not just wins or losses. Here’s how it looks with 8 players over 4 rounds.

Winner: Anna with 82 total cumulative points.

Each round’s pairings were based on current cumulative points — keeping the games balanced and fair while rewarding consistent high scoring. That’s the essence of the Mexicano format.

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer the social vibe of an Americano or the strategic progression of a Mexicano, both formats make padel even more enjoyable. They encourage connection, competition, and community — three reasons why padel continues to grow faster than almost any other sport in Europe.

Ready to host your own event? Explore our collection of padel rackets, balls, and accessories to make sure you’re equipped for victory!