Tournament System
Understanding different tournament formats and how they work
1v1 Formats — Official Wording
League (double round) — 8 players
“Championship — 8 players, 14 matchdays, double round (home & away)”
Groups + Playoffs (single-leg)
“Cup — 2 groups of 4, top 1–2 advance, playoffs single-leg on neutral venue”
Groups + Playoffs (two-leg)
“Tournament — group stage, playoffs decided on aggregate (home & away)”
Playoffs (single-leg)
“Cup — straight knockout, every tie is a single match”
Playoffs (two-leg)
“Playoffs — home & away ties decided on aggregate”
UEFA Champions League style (Swiss + Playoffs)
“Swiss League Phase: 36 players, 8 matches (4 home, 4 away). Places 1–8 advance directly to Round of 16, 9–24 play two-leg play‑in; 25–36 eliminated. Then standard two‑leg playoffs to the final (final — single match).”
Playoff Tiebreak Policy (1v1)
- • Draws are not allowed in playoffs.
- • Single‑leg tie: if the score is a draw — play one more match between the same players and then submit a decisive score into the original tie.
- • Two‑leg tie: if the aggregate is tied — play one more match and then submit a decisive score into the second leg.
- • No away‑goals rule. No ET/penalties are recorded in system; only decisive winner scores are accepted.
Tournament Types Overview
EliteProClubs offers 6 different tournament formats, each designed for different competitive scenarios. Choose the format that best fits your team's goals and schedule.
🏆 League
Round-robin format where every team plays every other team
⚡ Single Elimination
Knockout format - lose once and you're out
🔄 Double Elimination
Two chances - lose twice and you're eliminated
👥 Group Playoff
Group stage followed by knockout playoffs
🔄 Double League
Two round-robin seasons with playoffs
🏆 League Tournament
The classic round-robin format where every team plays every other team exactly once. Perfect for determining the true champion through comprehensive competition.
How it works:
- • Each team plays every other team once
- • Points: 3 for win, 1 for draw, 0 for loss
- • Team with most points wins
- • Tiebreakers: head-to-head, goal difference
Best for:
- • Determining true champion
- • Long-term competitions
- • Fair comparison of all teams
- • 4-8 teams recommended
⚡ Single Elimination
The classic knockout format. Lose once and you're out. Fast-paced and exciting, perfect for quick tournaments.
How it works:
- • Bracket format
- • Lose once = eliminated
- • Winner advances to next round
- • Final two teams play for championship
Best for:
- • Quick tournaments
- • High stakes competition
- • Single day events
- • 4, 8, 16, or 32 teams
🔄 Double Elimination
Teams get a second chance! Lose once and you drop to the losers bracket. Lose twice and you're eliminated. More fair than single elimination.
How it works:
- • Winners bracket and losers bracket
- • First loss = drop to losers bracket
- • Second loss = eliminated
- • Grand final between bracket winners
Best for:
- • Fair competition
- • Multiple day tournaments
- • Teams want second chances
- • 8+ teams recommended
👥 Group Playoff
Teams are divided into groups for round-robin play, then the best teams advance to knockout playoffs. Combines the fairness of group play with the excitement of elimination.
How it works:
- • Teams divided into groups
- • Round-robin within each group
- • Top teams advance to playoffs
- • Knockout format for playoffs
Best for:
- • Large tournaments (12+ teams)
- • World Cup style competition
- • Multiple day events
- • Balanced group competition
🔄 Double League
Two complete round-robin seasons followed by playoffs. Teams play each other twice (home and away), then the best teams compete in playoffs.
How it works:
- • Two round-robin seasons
- • Each team plays others twice
- • Combined standings determine playoffs
- • Top teams advance to knockout
Best for:
- • Long-term competitions
- • Professional leagues
- • Fair home/away balance
- • 6-10 teams recommended
Tournament Tips
🎯 Choosing the Right Format
- • Consider your team's schedule
- • Think about tournament duration
- • Match format to team count
- • Consider competitive level
📈 Success Strategies
- • Practice before tournaments
- • Study your opponents
- • Maintain team chemistry
- • Stay focused throughout
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I join a tournament?
A: Go to the Tournaments page, find a tournament you want to join, and click "Join Tournament". Make sure your team meets the requirements.
Q: Can I leave a tournament after joining?
A: Yes, you can leave before the tournament starts. Once it begins, you may not be able to leave depending on the format.
Q: What happens if my team doesn't show up for a match?
A: Your team will receive a forfeit loss, and your opponent gets the win. Repeated no-shows may result in tournament disqualification.
Q: How are tournament brackets generated?
A: Brackets are generated automatically based on team ELO ratings to ensure balanced competition.