How do I join the league or enter a team?
The league is played between clubs, so you take part as a member of a club that competes in it. If you’d like to play, join one of our member clubs and speak to its captain or committee — and new clubs and teams are always welcome. See the
Contact page for how to enter a team.
Who can play, and do I need to be registered with the LTA?
You play as a member of an affiliated club, at any standard. Players must be registered with the LTA — with a World Tennis Number — to appear on results. Registration is free at
lta.org.uk/register.
Which leagues can I play in?
Summer team leagues for Men, Ladies, Medley (mixed) and Juniors; a Veterans league for over-50s; an indoor Winter league; the new Autumn League (Leeds Slam); and a Singles Ladder launching soon. Browse them all on the
Leagues page.
When do the seasons run?
The summer leagues run from around April to August, with the Veterans league alongside. The Winter league plays on evenings through the colder months, and the Autumn League runs its group stages into an end-of-season finals. All summer matches must be played, and results submitted, by
31 August. Exact dates and fixtures are on the
Fixtures & Results page.
Where do I find fixtures, results and tables?
All live tables, results and fixtures are on the LTA competitions system, linked by division from our
Fixtures & Results page.
What format are matches, and which scorecard do we use?
The Men’s and Ladies leagues are doubles: two pairs a side play
eight rubbers (sets) in all — each set first to six (7-5) with a tie-break at six-all — and the match is decided on rubbers won, with 4-4 a draw. The Medley league fields two men and two women over
six rubbers of twelve games, decided on total games won (37 wins the match, 36-36 is a draw). The Autumn League (Leeds Slam) is a six-rubber team match, and the Singles Ladder is a timed singles match. Print the right card from the
Scorecards page.
Who hosts the match and provides the balls?
Weekday matches start at 6.30pm (weekend start times are set at the beginning of the season). The home team provides at least three new balls per court, sets the court numbers, and is encouraged to offer refreshments afterwards.
What happens if it rains or the light fades?
A match is played to a finish unless both captains agree to postpone, abandon or pause it. If you can’t agree, play continues, but either side may call time after the evening cut-off — 9.00pm in April and August, 9.30pm in May and July, 10.00pm in June — or earlier for bad light or bad weather. If a match is abandoned, the score only stands once it’s effectively decided: in the Men’s and Ladies leagues that means one team has won five rubbers, and in the Medley one team has reached 37 games. Otherwise the match is re-arranged.
Who decides if it’s safe to play?
Player safety and the courts come first. The home club can suspend play whenever carrying on would damage the court surface — for example when courts are waterlogged — and play should always stop if the courts are slippery, the light is too poor to see the ball safely, or there’s any danger such as thunder and lightning nearby. If conditions are unsafe, don’t play on: pause, and postpone or re-arrange if they don’t improve.
How do we rearrange a match — and what if we can’t agree a date?
Up to 30 April, captains can agree a change directly: the home team offers the away team at least three suitable alternative dates, the away captain picks one within seven days, and both tell their Section Co-ordinator. (Bank-holiday weekends, two consecutive days, and any date within seven days’ notice don’t count as ‘suitable’.) After 30 April, any change must go through the Section Co-ordinator. If the away captain won’t accept any of the three dates offered — or the captains simply can’t agree — the Section Co-ordinator will step in and designate a date. A match that still isn’t played by 31 August is treated as un-played and scores no points; a forfeited match also costs a point, and a team that forfeits more than half its matches can be removed from the league.
How are results recorded?
It’s the home team’s job to submit the result online through the LTA system, and the away team’s job to confirm it. Both captains sign the scorecard and keep a copy, and any query should go to your Section Co-ordinator within two weeks of the match.
How do promotion and relegation work?
Divisions are graded by standard. The top team in each division below the first is promoted (the runner-up may also be offered promotion), and enough teams are relegated to keep the divisions balanced. New teams start in the bottom division of their section.
Is there a fee to play?
Yes — an equal participation fee is set each year at the AGM (junior and friendly competitions may be set at a different level). Your club handles entry and fees, so check with your club captain or committee for the current amount.
Where are the rules and the constitution?
