Format
Single elimination
Lose once and you are out.
The classic knockout tree. Fast, simple to follow and easy to schedule — the default for cups, playoffs and one-day events.
Match count
n − 1
Every match eliminates exactly one participant, and n − 1 must be eliminated to leave one champion. Add 1 for a third-place match.
Example: 16 participants → 15 matches (16 with a bronze final); 13 participants → 12 matches with 3 first-round byes.
Live demo
An 8-team single elimination bracket
Generated in your browser by the same engine that powers every tournament on Bracket.
Live demo · 8 sample teams · 8 matches
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Third place
How it works
- 1
Participants are seeded into a bracket sized to the next power of two (4, 8, 16, 32…). Top seeds receive byes when the field is not a power of two.
- 2
Winners advance to the next round; losers are eliminated. The last remaining participant is the champion.
- 3
Optionally add a third-place match between semi-final losers, or placement ladders to rank every participant.
When to use it
- Limited time or venue capacity.
- Large fields (32+) where round robin is impossible.
- Playoffs after a league stage.
- Spectator events — every match is do-or-die.
FAQ
Single elimination questions
Other formats
Double elimination
Everyone gets a second chance.
Round robin
Everyone plays everyone.
Swiss system
Big fields, few rounds, no eliminations.
Groups + knockout
World-Cup style two-stage tournament.
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.