How to Find and Enter LTA Tennis Competitions
In Britain, LTA-approved tournaments are listed on the LTA's competitions site. You need an LTA Advantage account to enter: search by area, age group and grade (7 is the most social, 1 the highest level), then enter online before the closing date. Your level is shown as an ITF World Tennis Number (WTN), which replaced the old LTA rating. Seniors play in five-year age groups from 30 upwards. This is an independent guide; the event's own page always has the final word on rules, fees and dates.
Last reviewed: October 28, 2026.
About this guide
Racketlovers is an independent live-scoring app. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the LTA or the ITF, and the app does not connect to their systems. Always check the tournament's own listing before you enter.
Where to find LTA competitions
Start at competitions.lta.org.uk, the LTA's search for approved tournaments, or go there from lta.org.uk. Filter by location and distance, dates, age group, grade and surface. Each event page shows the venue, the draws on offer, the entry fee, the closing date and the format.
Clubs, parks and county associations also run their own competitions, from box leagues to club championships. Your club or county is the best place to ask about those.
- Create or sign in to your LTA Advantage account and check your date of birth and gender; eligibility for age events is read from your profile.
- Check which LTA Advantage level the event asks for, as entry rules can depend on it.
- Search for competitions near you and filter by grade and age group.
- Enter the events you want (singles, doubles or mixed) before the closing date and pay the entry fee.
- After the draw is made, check the event page and your email for your first match time.
LTA competition grades explained
Every LTA-approved competition has a grade from 1 to 7. Grade 7 is the most relaxed and local; the lower the number, the stronger the field and the more ranking value the event carries.
| Grade | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Social competition at a local venue | First-time competitors |
| 6 | Usually a one-day event for newer players | Getting used to match play |
| 5 | The first level of rankings tournament | Players ready to build a ranking |
| 1–4 | County, regional and national events | Experienced competitors |
New to competition? Start with a Grade 7 or Grade 6 event. They are shorter, friendlier and a good way to get your first results on your World Tennis Number.
Your rating: the World Tennis Number
The LTA now uses the ITF World Tennis Number (WTN) instead of the old LTA rating. It runs from 40 for beginners to 1 for elite professionals, so a lower number means a stronger player. There are separate numbers for singles and doubles, and they move as you play results.
Your WTN appears in your LTA Advantage account, and you can read how it works at worldtennisnumber.com. The new number was not a straight conversion of the old LTA rating; it is built from your match results. Adults with no results yet can get a starting estimate by answering a short questionnaire.
Some events use WTN bands to make draws more even, so you may see an entry range such as a WTN limit on a listing.
Senior tennis: age groups and events
Senior competition in Britain is open from age 30, in five-year age groups (30, 35, 40 … and upwards). You can play in an age group from the calendar year in which you reach that age, and you can always play down into a younger group.
Besides individual tournaments, seniors can play team tennis such as the LTA's National League for seniors and county cup competitions, and there is a seniors ranking that counts your best results over a rolling year. Your county association can point you to local senior events.
Check which age group you can play this year with our free senior tennis age group calculator. It uses the same calendar-year rule.
What to expect on match day
- Arrive early and sign in with the referee or tournament desk; order of play is often published the day before.
- Most matches are self-umpired. Players call the lines on their own side and the server calls the score clearly before each point.
- Know the format. Many events, especially seniors and one-day events, use short sets or a 10-point match tiebreak instead of a final set. See our tiebreak rules guide and scoring formats guide.
- Report your score to the referee straight after the match.
Let family and friends follow your match
Local tournaments are rarely streamed. With the Racketlovers app you can score your match live from the court: you enter the games at each changeover and your opponent confirms them. Share the match link and anyone can follow the score in the free app, without creating an account. Every match is saved to your history, so you can look back at a whole season.
Racketlovers does not send results to the LTA or to your World Tennis Number; the referee records the result that counts.
Won your final? Racketlovers makes an Instagram-ready result card you can share straight from the app. See how it works.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find LTA tournaments near me?
Use the LTA's competitions search and filter by location, dates, age group and grade. Your club or county association can tell you about local events too.
Do I need an LTA Advantage account to enter a tournament?
Yes, entries to LTA-approved competitions go through an LTA Advantage account. Check the event page for the account level and fee it asks for.
What do LTA grades mean?
Grades run from 7 to 1. Grade 7 is social and local, Grade 6 is usually a one-day event for newer players, Grade 5 is the first rankings level, and Grades 1–4 are county, regional and national events.
What replaced the LTA rating?
The ITF World Tennis Number (WTN), which runs from 40 (beginner) to 1 (elite). It is calculated from your match results and shown in your LTA Advantage account.
At what age can I play senior tennis in the UK?
From 30, in five-year age groups. You can enter an age group from the calendar year in which you reach that age.
Do matches scored in Racketlovers count for my WTN?
No. Racketlovers is an independent app for live scoring, sharing and match history. Tournament results are recorded by the referee.