May 29, 2025

Upcoming Padel Events in Ireland - 2026

in News

If you organise any padel event and want to be added to this calendar, please email us the details.

May 2026

9th-10th May: IPT Project Padel, Galway, Link

30th-31st May: Padel54, Moira, Link

June 2026

24th-28th June: IPT Bushy Park, Dublin, Link

29th June to 5th July: FIP Silver R3 BULL PADEL CUP, Belfast, Link

July 2026

13th-19th July: FIP Silver HISCOX PADEL IRISH OPEN, Dublin, Link

25th-26th July: IPT Padel Tennis Ireland, Cork, Link

30th July to 3r June: Naas90 Padel Tournament, Naas LTC, Link

August 2026

15th-16th July: IPT Padel Society, Belfast, Link

September 2026

26th-27th July: IPT House of Padel, Dublin, Link

October 2026

November 2026

7th-8th July: IPT The Hive, Cork, Link

28th-29th July: IPT Master Finals, TBC, Link

December 2026

August 20, 2026

The HEAD One Collection: Why Padel's Most Iconic Single-Hole Rackets Are Worth the Hype

HEAD's One collection swapped a dozen holes for one and changed how the racket plays. Here's why the single-hole design means more power, a bigger sweet spot and better spin, plus which of the three One rackets in stock at Love Padel is right for your game (with savings up to 43% off).

Learn more

June 14, 2026

Irish Padel Goes Global: The Full FIP Rankings (Updated Sept 2026)

Tracking Ireland's 27 ranked players on the official FIP world tour Last updated: September 2026 Padel is growing fast in Ireland, and the numbers are starting to show it. A growing group of Irish players are appearing on the FIP (International Padel Federation) world rankings, competing against players from countries where padel has been established for decades. This page tracks every Irish player currently ranked by the FIP. Rankings are updated on the 1st of each month, so you can follow progress throughout the year. What Are the FIP Rankings? The FIP rankings are the official world rankings for padel, covering both the professional circuit (Premier Padel, Cupra FIP Tour) and amateur international events. Points are awarded at sanctioned FIP tournaments worldwide. For most Irish players, points come from participating in domestic FIP sanctioned events, travel to events abroad, or through international championships representing Ireland. A ranking (at any level) means a player has competed at an internationally recognised padel event. With padel still in its infancy here, every Irish name on this list is a trailblazer. A Quiet Month After a Big Summer After the rapid growth seen in July, when two home FIP Silver events in Belfast and Dublin nearly doubled Ireland's contingent of ranked players, August was a calmer month. No new Irish players debuted on the FIP rankings this update, and the roster holds steady at 27 active players (14 women, 13 men). Only two Irish players added to their points tally this period. Louis Jarrold reached the Round of 32 at the FIP Silver Porto St. Elpidio event in Italy on 20 August, picking up 6 points and climbing from world #1,000 to #872, the biggest single jump on the list. Amy Flynn reached the Round of 32 at the FIP Bronze Ciudad Raqueta event in Madrid on 24 August, adding 3 points and climbing 38 places to #519, Ireland's second highest ranked woman. Everyone else on the list held their points total steady, but several saw their world rank slip slightly this month simply because other players below them, from other countries, earned points and moved up the table. Katie Nolan (unchanged at 13 points) slipped 8 places to #819, and Harry Bingham (unchanged at 11 points) slipped 9 places to #1,297. This kind of drift is normal: with a fixed points tally, rank naturally erodes over time unless a player competes again. Correction note: Last month's list included Oliver Jacobson alongside his regular partner Oscar Jacobson. On checking FIP's official player database, Oliver Jacobson is registered under GBR (Great Britain), not IRL, so he has been removed from Ireland's list this month. Oscar Jacobson, who is Irish registered, remains on the list below. Ireland's Ranked Players The table below shows all Irish registered players with active FIP ranking points. It is refreshed on the 1st of each month. Ranking Change compares each player's world rank to last month: green and positive means the player's world rank number went down (they climbed), red and negative means it went up (they slipped). Women Rank Player Points Ranking Change #448 Anna Zuka 35 -2 #519 Amy Flynn 27 +38 #574 Moya Ryan 22 +9 #574 Marjorie Croke 22 +9 #819 Katie Nolan 13 -8 #938 Susan Mc Rann 10 -3 #1234 Maria Perez Gavino 5 -3 #1234 Anna Kurkul 5 -3 #1234 Yvonne Flynn 5 -3 #1234 Francisca Danae Lopez Escobar 5 -3 #1526 Mia Smyth 3 -3 #1526 Sinead Lohan 3 -3 #1526 Lisa Keegan 3 -3 #1526 Julie Hill 3 -3 Men Rank Player Points Ranking Change #872 Louis Jarrold 23 +128 #1180 Ivan Ignacio Herrera 13 -5 #1180 Oscar Jacobson 13 -5 #1180 James Harte 13 -5 #1297 Harry Bingham 11 -9 #1516 Sam Bothwell 8 +3 #1516 Harry Heyburn 8 +3 #1516 Peter Bothwell 8 +3 #1781 Brian Condren 6 +4 #1938 Alan Joseph Healy 5 -5 #1938 Alasdair Knox 5 -5 #2357 Lorcan Loughrey 3 +10 #2357 John Clerkin 3 +10 Leading the Way Anna Zuka remains Ireland's highest ranked player overall at world #448 with 35 points, dipping just 2 places this month but still comfortably ahead of the rest of the Irish contingent. On the men's side, Louis Jarrold is now Ireland's clear number one, climbing 128 places to world #872 with 23 points after his run in Italy, overtaking the cluster of players tied at #1,180 (Ivan Ignacio Herrera, Oscar Jacobson and James Harte, all on 13 points). Why This Matters Ireland only affiliated with the FIP in recent years, and Irish padel infrastructure (courts, clubs, coaching) is still developing. After July's home Silver events pushed the ranked contingent from 19 to 27, this month is a reminder that most of the hard work now happens abroad: consistent points require consistent travel to FIP sanctioned events. Each tournament appearance, each point earned, helps put Irish padel on the map and opens doors for future generations. If you're an Irish player competing in FIP sanctioned events and don't see your name here, it's worth checking your registration is correctly linked to Ireland (IRL) on the FIP system. Source: padelfip.com (individual player profiles). Updated 1st of each month. Ranking Change compares each player's world rank to the previous month (negative in red means the world rank number went up, i.e. the player slipped; positive in green means the world rank number went down, i.e. the player climbed).

Learn more

June 9, 2026

Stop Guessing! Here's Which Wilson Defy Is Actually for You

If you've landed on the Wilson Defy range and found yourself staring at names like Defy V1, Defy LS V1, Defy Pro V1, and then an SE 2 version of each — you're not alone. It's a rich range with a lot of options, and knowing where to start isn't always obvious. Here's the short version: there are three distinct rackets in the Defy family, each aimed at a different type of attacking player. Each one also comes in a Special Edition (SE) version — same racket, different cosmetics. Once you understand the three core models, the whole range makes sense. All three share the same foundation: diamond shape, Duo Grid hole pattern, Aeroexact Design aerodynamics, Spin² surface texture, Power Foam core, and Impact Beam stiffness technology. What separates them is weight and face material — two factors that dramatically change how a racket plays. The Three Models Defy Range Breakdown Defy LS V1 — €140 Defy LS V1 SE 2 — €198 Advanced · Arm-Friendly Wilson Defy LS V1 "LS" = Light Speed. The lightest racket in the Defy family. The Defy LS V1 is the lightest version of the Defy, weighing in at 355g. Instead of a carbon face, it uses Wilson's Comfort Flex Face — a more forgiving, fibreglass-composite surface that absorbs impact more gently than carbon. This makes it the most arm-friendly option of the three. Don't mistake "light" for "weak." This racket is still built for attacking play — it's fast through the air, generates aggressive spin, and rewards players who rely on wrist speed and quick exchanges at the net. The lighter frame means less fatigue over long matches or frequent training sessions. Weight 355g Face Comfort Flex Shape Diamond Balance 265mm Price (Standard) €140 €240 Price (SE 2) €198 €290 Best for Advanced players who play aggressively but want a lighter, faster swing. Ideal if you have a history of elbow or shoulder discomfort, train multiple times per week, or simply prefer a racket that feels quicker in your hand without sacrificing power. LS V1 SE 2: Same 355g Comfort Flex racket in a special-edition colourway (White/Geometric). Identical performance, different look. View the SE 2 → Defy V1 — €180 Defy V1 SE 2 — €240 Advanced / Pro · Balanced Power Wilson Defy V1 The core Defy. The classic choice for advanced attacking players. The Defy V1 is the heart of the range — 10g heavier than the LS at 365g, and upgraded to a 3K Carbon Face. Carbon is stiffer than Comfort Flex, which means the ball leaves the face faster, with more raw power and a sharper, crisper feel on every hit. This is the racket for players who want the full Defy attacking experience. The 3K carbon weave delivers explosive overheads, punishing drives, and the satisfying, direct feedback that advanced players look for. It's heavier than the LS, but the difference is noticeable rather than significant — most players adapt to it quickly. Weight 365g Face 3K Carbon Shape Diamond Balance 265mm Price (Standard) €180 €290 Price (SE 2) €240 €290 Best for Advanced to pro-level players with an attacking style who want the full Wilson Defy experience. If you're comfortable with a medium-heavy attacking racket and want the extra stiffness and power of carbon, this is your racket. The best all-round choice in the range. V1 SE 2: Same 365g 3K Carbon racket in a special-edition White/Gold colourway. Same performance, collector-level finish. View the SE 2 → Defy Pro V1 — €196 Defy Pro V1 SE — €280 Pro Level · Maximum Power Wilson Defy Pro V1 The heaviest, stiffest, most powerful Defy. Built for serious players only. The Pro V1 takes everything up a level. At 370g and with a 15K Carbon Face, this is the most demanding and most powerful racket in the range. 15K carbon is a denser, higher-grade carbon weave than the 3K used in the standard V1 — it's stiffer, transfers energy more efficiently, and generates noticeably more pace on attacking shots. Wilson also adds Sharp Hole Technology and C2 Tubular Construction to the Pro V1 — refinements not found in the other two models. C2 Tubular ensures uniform thickness throughout the frame for consistent feel and superior durability, while Sharp Hole Technology creates extra ball bite on every stroke. Weight 370g Face 15K Carbon Shape Diamond Balance 265mm Price (Standard) €196 €340 Price (SE) €280 €340 Best for Pro and elite-level attacking players who have the technique to control a heavy, stiff racket and want to extract every bit of power the Defy platform can offer. Not recommended for players still developing their game — the reduced forgiveness will work against you if your technique isn't consistent. Pro V1 SE: Same 370g 15K Carbon racket in a special-edition White/Black-Orange colourway. Same performance as the standard Pro V1. View the SE → Side by Side The Full Defy Range at a Glance Model Weight Face Material Key Feel Standard Price SE Price Defy LS V1 355g Comfort Flex Fast, arm-friendly, forgiving €140 €240 €198 €290 Defy V1 365g 3K Carbon Crisp, powerful, direct €180 €290 €240 €290 Defy Pro V1 370g 15K Carbon Explosive, stiff, maximum pace €196 €340 €280 €340 All six rackets share the same diamond shape, Duo Grid Pattern, Aeroexact Design, Spin² Texture, Power Foam, and Impact Beam. SE versions are cosmetic variants with no performance difference. Which Defy is right for you? Not sure where you fit? Use this as a quick guide. You play 2–3x per week → Defy LS V1 The lighter Comfort Flex face reduces fatigue and strain. Great for high-frequency players who value longevity and speed. You're an advanced attacker → Defy V1 The 3K Carbon Face gives you the full attacking power of the Defy platform. The best balance of weight, power, and feel in the range. You play at a high/elite level → Defy Pro V1 Maximum power and stiffness via 15K Carbon. Exclusive C2 Tubular build. Only suits players with consistent technique who can handle a heavier, less forgiving frame. You want a limited edition → Any SE version Pick the SE of whichever model suits your game. You're paying for exclusive colourways — the performance is identical to the standard version. Shop the full Wilson Defy range at LovePadel — Ireland's home of padel equipment. Shop Wilson Defy Rackets →

Learn more