Format
Groups + knockout
World-Cup style two-stage tournament.
Round robin groups guarantee everyone several matches; the top finishers advance to a knockout bracket seeded across groups so group winners avoid each other early.
Match count
Σ k(k − 1)/2 + (g·a − 1)
Group matches are round robin within each group of size k; the knockout has g × a advancers and needs one fewer match than participants.
Example: 16 teams in 4 groups of 4, top 2 advance → 24 group matches + 7 knockout matches = 31 (32 with a bronze final).
Live demo
An 8-team groups + knockout bracket
Generated in your browser by the same engine that powers every tournament on Bracket.
Live demo · 8 sample teams · 15 matches
Group A
Round 1
- Northside FCvsCrescent Eagles
- Harbor KingsvsSummit Rovers
Round 2
- Northside FCvsSummit Rovers
- Crescent EaglesvsHarbor Kings
Round 3
- Northside FCvsHarbor Kings
- Summit RoversvsCrescent Eagles
Group B
Round 1
- Riverbank UnitedvsDelta Storm
- Iron WolvesvsGolden Foxes
Round 2
- Riverbank UnitedvsGolden Foxes
- Delta StormvsIron Wolves
Round 3
- Riverbank UnitedvsIron Wolves
- Golden FoxesvsDelta Storm
Knockout stage
Semi-finals
Final
How it works
- 1
Draw participants into groups by serpentine seeding, UEFA-style pots or random. Optionally run a live, auditable draw ceremony.
- 2
Each group plays round robin. Standings use your configured tiebreakers.
- 3
The top N per group (plus optional best third-placed teams) advance; the knockout bracket is seeded so 1st-place teams meet 2nd-place teams from other groups.
When to use it
- Football, futsal, basketball and volleyball tournaments.
- Fields of 8–48 where you want guaranteed games and a dramatic finish.
- Multi-day events: groups on day one, knockout on day two.
FAQ
Groups + knockout questions
Other formats
Single elimination
Lose once and you are out.
Double elimination
Everyone gets a second chance.
Round robin
Everyone plays everyone.
Swiss system
Big fields, few rounds, no eliminations.
Free for all
Placement-based events for many players at once.
Leaderboard
Several scoring events, one cumulative table.
Racing formats
Time trials, single races and Grand Prix series.
Gauntlet
Winner stays. The next seed challenges.
Custom bracket
Your list order is the bracket.