What is a single elimination tournament?
Single elimination is the classic knockout. Win and you go through, lose and you're out, until one champion is left. It's fast and easy to follow, and it fits a lot of entrants into a short session.
How many matches? n − 1 matches for n players or teams, plus one more if you keep the 3rd-place playoff.
How to run a single elimination in the app
- Select players, choose Singles or Doubles (fixed or automatic pairs).
- Choose seeding: Random, Skill Based (by rating) or Manual (drag the draw yourself).
- With Skill Based seeding, top seeds get the byes and seeds 1 and 2 can only meet in the final.
- Tap the winner of each match and the bracket moves on by itself.
- The 3rd-Place Playoff (on by default) creates a bronze medal match between the losing semi-finalists.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The fewest matches of any format
- Easy for everyone to follow
- Finishes on time
Watch out for
- Half the field plays only once
- One bad game ends your day
Best for
- Short events with many entrants
- Club championship finals
- School sports days and office cups
Organiser tips
- Want everyone to play more? Use Group Stage: round robin groups first, then a knockout.
- Need a second chance? Double Elimination is a Pro format.
Popular sports for single elimination
Tennis tournaments, Squash tournaments, Table Tennis tournaments, Volleyball tournaments, Any Sport tournaments.
Single Elimination FAQ
How are byes handled?
Byes fill the draw up to the next power of two (16 slots for 12 players). They're completed automatically, and with Skill Based seeding the top seeds get them.
Is there a 3rd-place match?
Yes. The 3rd-Place Playoff is on by default and is created once both semi-finals are done. There's no consolation or plate draw.
Is Single Elimination free?
Yes. It's free for up to 4 players on 1 court.
