Knockout Tournament Generator
Make a single elimination bracket for any number of teams: the draw, byes and seeding are handled for you. Print it, share it, or run it live with scores from any phone and a TV display.
Bracket editor
Type your teams, drag the seeds, save it as an image. No account needed.
What is a knockout tournament?
A knockout tournament, also called single elimination or a cup draw, pairs teams in rounds where the loser goes home and the winner advances until one champion remains. It is the fastest format: n teams need only n−1 matches. This generator draws the bracket, adds byes when the team count is not a power of two and seeds the favourites apart.
Knockout formats
The same generator, three ways to finish a tournament.
Single elimination
One loss and you are out. The FA Cup, Champions League knockout phase, most school and club cups.
- n−1 matches
- Automatic byes
- Optional third-place match
Knockout with third-place match
The two semi-final losers play one more match, so the podium is fully decided on the same day instead of ending on a shared third place.
- Optional third-place playoff
- Turned on with one setting
- Same bracket, one extra match
Groups then knockout
Play round robin groups first, then draw the top teams into the bracket.
- Group tables with tiebreakers
- Cross-over or seeded draw
- Bracket fills in from group results
Knockout by the numbers
More than a bracket picture
Generate the draw here, then let LiveCup run the day.
Draw and seeding
Random draw or manual seeding; the strongest teams are placed so they cannot meet before the late rounds.
Byes when you need them
A live knockout on LiveCup runs with 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64 teams. Other counts? Pad the bracket with byes in the generator above, then create the tournament.
Live scores from any phone
Enter results courtside; winners advance automatically and the bracket updates everywhere.
TV display
Show the bracket, the next matches and results on the venue screen.
Printable PDF
Export the bracket with names and your logo for the wall or the programme.
QR registration
Teams sign up by scanning a code; the draw waits until everyone has arrived.
How to generate a knockout draw
Under a minute from names to bracket.
Enter the teams
Paste names, one per line, in the generator above. Any number from 2 to 64.
Seed or shuffle
Keep the order as seeding, or shuffle for a random draw. Add a third-place match if you want one.
Share or go live
Download the bracket as PNG or PDF, or create the tournament on LiveCup and enter scores as you go.
Who runs knockout tournaments
Brackets for other team counts
Group stage + playoff layouts
Knockout tournament generator: questions
How many matches does a knockout tournament need?
n−1 for n teams, because every match eliminates exactly one team: 7 matches for 8 teams, 15 for 16, 31 for 32. Add one for a third-place match.
What if I have 6, 10 or 12 teams?
The generator pads the bracket to 8 or 16 slots and gives the extra slots to the top seeds as byes, so they start in round two.
What is the difference between a knockout and a double elimination tournament?
In a knockout, one loss eliminates you. In double elimination, teams drop into a losers bracket and need two losses to go out, which roughly doubles the number of matches.
How is the draw seeded?
Seed 1 plays the lowest seed, seed 2 the second lowest, and so on, so the top two seeds can only meet in the final. Shuffle for a random draw instead.
Can I download or print the bracket?
Yes: export the bracket from the generator as PNG, or as a branded PDF from a LiveCup tournament.
Can I run the knockout live with scores?
Yes. Create the tournament on LiveCup, enter scores on any phone and the bracket, the TV display and the public page update instantly.
Run your knockout live
Automatic draw, byes and seeding, scores from any phone and a TV mode.
Create a live cupRun it live, not just on paper
LiveCup takes this bracket further: live scores, standings, and a TV mode for the venue screen.