How to choose a tournament format

You pick the format in step 2 of the tournament wizard. Here is what each one does.

Quick guide

• You want everyone to play everyone: pick League.

• You want groups first, then a knockout bracket: pick Groups + Playoff.

• You want a short event where a loss means you are out: pick Cup.

• You want a knockout where every team gets a second chance: pick Double Elimination.

The main formats

League is "round-robin". Every team plays every other team. A points table decides the winner. It is the fairest format. LiveCup.app suggests it for 4 to 16 teams.

Groups + Playoff splits the teams into groups. Each group plays a league. The best teams then go to a knockout bracket. LiveCup.app suggests it for 8 to 32 teams. You need at least 4 teams.

Cup is single elimination. If you lose, you are out. It is the fastest format. You do not need a "perfect" number of teams. LiveCup.app gives some teams a free pass in round 1 (a "bye") when needed.

Double Elimination has a winners bracket and a losers bracket. A team is out after two losses. You need at least 4 teams. Byes are automatic here too.

Other formats

These appear only for some sports.

• Groups is the group stage alone. Later you add a final stage as a separate, linked tournament.

• Swiss System is for Chess. Players with similar scores meet each other.

• Americano and Mexicano are for players who change partners each round. Americano is available for Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball and Cornhole. Mexicano is available for the same sports except Cornhole.

• Pools → double elimination is for Cornhole.

• Time Trial is for Running and Kayaking. Everyone records a time. The fastest wins.

Custom schedule

If no format fits, Custom schedule lets you build your own schedule.

Final stage

Played a league or groups first? When it ends, you can create a second, linked tournament for the best teams, in any format.