Double Elimination Bracket Generator
Every team gets a second chance: lose once and you drop to the losers bracket, lose twice and you are out. Generate the full winners and losers bracket for 4, 8 or 16 teams in seconds, then run it live.
Double elimination bracket preview
Pick the number of teams and optionally paste names. Losers of winners-bracket matches drop into the losers bracket.
- 14
- Matches
- 3
- Winners rounds
- 4
- Losers rounds
Winners bracket
Losers bracket
Grand final
What is a double elimination bracket?
In a double elimination tournament a team has to lose twice to be eliminated. Winners-bracket losers drop into the losers bracket and keep playing; the losers-bracket champion meets the winners-bracket champion in the grand final, and if the losers-side team wins, a second decisive final is played. It is the standard format for esports, darts, pool and any event where one bad game should not end the day.
Double elimination and its relatives
Pick the knockout format that fits your schedule.
Double elimination
Two brackets, a grand final and an optional reset. Fairest knockout format; about twice the matches of single elimination.
- 2n−2 matches for n teams
- Losers bracket generated automatically
- Grand final reset supported
Single elimination
One loss and you are out. Half the matches, the most drama, and the best fit for a tight schedule.
- n−1 matches
- Byes for any team count
- Optional third-place match
Groups + playoffs
Guarantee every team several games with a group stage, then finish with a knockout bracket.
- Round robin groups
- Automatic seeding into the bracket
- Tiebreakers applied for you
Double elimination by the numbers
Generate it, then run it
The preview shows the structure. LiveCup fills it in as results come in.
Both brackets drawn for you
Winners, losers and the grand final with the correct drop-down pairings for 4, 8 or 16 teams.
Live advancement
Enter a score and the winner moves on while the loser slides into the right losers-bracket slot automatically.
Grand final reset
Turn on the bracket reset so the winners-bracket champion also has to lose twice.
TV display
Show both brackets and the next matches on the venue screen; it refreshes by itself.
Any sport, any scoring
Goals, sets, frames, maps or legs. Best-of series and tiebreak rules per sport.
Registration and check-in
Teams register by QR code; seed them by hand or at random when everyone has arrived.
How to create a double elimination bracket
Three steps from a team list to a live bracket.
Choose the size
4, 8 or 16 teams: double elimination needs a power-of-two field so every team drops into the right losers-bracket slot.
Add and seed teams
Paste names or let teams register by QR code. Seed by strength so the favourites cannot meet in round one.
Play and enter scores
Every result moves teams through both brackets automatically until the grand final.
Where double elimination shines
Double elimination bracket: questions
How many matches does a double elimination bracket have?
2n−2 for n teams, or 2n−1 if the grand final is reset: 6 matches for 4 teams, 14 for 8, 30 for 16. Roughly double a single elimination bracket.
What is the grand final reset?
The winners-bracket champion has not lost yet. If the losers-bracket champion wins the grand final, both teams have one loss, so a second, decisive final is played. LiveCup lets you turn the reset on or off.
What happens when the team count is not a power of two?
Double elimination needs a power-of-two field: 4, 8 or 16 teams. With another number, play a knockout (byes are added automatically) or a groups + playoff format instead.
How are losers-bracket matches paired?
Losers from each winners-bracket round drop into the losers bracket in alternating rounds, crossed over so teams that just met do not meet again immediately.
Can I print the bracket?
Yes. Create the tournament on LiveCup and export the bracket as PDF on paid plans, or share the public link and put it on a TV.
Which sports and games support double elimination on LiveCup?
All 30+ of them: team sports, racquet sports, esports, darts, chess and more, each with its own scoring rules.
Run your double elimination live
Both brackets, automatic drop-downs, a grand final reset and a TV mode.
Create a live bracket