How do I organize a local tournament in my community?

Start by choosing tournament management software like Brakto, which offers free community features. Set up your tournament format, create registration, and share with your local community through social media and community boards.

What is the best free tournament software for small communities?

Brakto offers the most comprehensive free tier for community tournaments, supporting up to 32 participants with bracket management, email notifications, and basic scheduling features at no cost.

Can I use tournament software for school sports?

Yes, Brakto offers specialized features for schools including student-safe registration, parent communication tools, academic calendar integration, and educational pricing discounts for schools and non-profits.

How much does local tournament management software cost?

Brakto offers free community features for small tournaments. Paid plans start at $19/month for unlimited participants and advanced features. Schools and non-profits receive 50% discounts.

What sports can I manage with tournament software?

Brakto supports all major sports including tennis, pickleball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and more. The platform includes sport-specific rules, scoring systems, and tournament formats.

Double Elimination Format

Second chance tournament structure

Fair & Balanced

Competitive

What is Double Elimination?

Double elimination is a tournament format that gives every competitor a second chance. Teams must lose twice to be eliminated - once in the winners bracket and once in the losers bracket. This creates more matches, fairer results, and better entertainment value.

Key Principle

Two losses = elimination. Winners advance through the winners bracket; losers drop to the losers bracket for a second chance.

How It Works

Winners Bracket

All teams start here. Winners stay in the winners bracket and advance toward the grand finals.

Losers Bracket

Teams that lose in the winners bracket drop here. They can still win the tournament by fighting through the losers bracket.

Grand Finals

The winners bracket champion faces the losers bracket champion. If the losers bracket team wins, a second "true finals" match determines the champion (bracket reset).

Example: 8-Team Tournament

Winners Bracket:

• Round 1: 8 teams → 4 winners (4 losers drop to losers bracket)
• Round 2: 4 teams → 2 winners (2 losers drop to losers bracket)
• Round 3: 2 teams → 1 winner advances to grand finals

Losers Bracket:

• Receives 6 total teams across multiple rounds
• Teams play elimination matches until 1 survivor remains
• Losers bracket champion faces winners bracket champion

Total Matches: 13-15 games (vs 7 for single elimination)

Advantages

Second Chances: Everyone gets at least 2 matches - fairer and more satisfying for participants
More Competitive: Better teams have more opportunities to prove themselves
Dramatic Comebacks: Teams can recover from early losses and still win the tournament
Better Value: Players get more matches for their entry fee
Reduces Luck Factor: One bad game doesn't end your tournament

Disadvantages

More Time Required: Nearly double the matches of single elimination
Complex Bracket: Two separate brackets can be confusing for newcomers
Resource Intensive: Requires more courts/fields and longer event duration
Bracket Reset Confusion: Grand finals "bracket reset" rules can be unclear to participants

When to Use Double Elimination

Perfect For:

• Multi-Day Events: Weekend tournaments with time for many matches
• Competitive Events: Championships where fairness is paramount
• Paid Entry: Players expect multiple matches for their money
• Esports/Gaming: Standard format in competitive gaming (fighting games, MOBAs)
• Small-Medium Fields: 8-32 teams where schedule permits extended play

Not Ideal For:

• One-day events with limited time
• Large tournaments (64+ teams) - scheduling becomes very complex
• Limited venue space or court availability
• Casual/recreational events where simplicity is preferred

Ready to Create Your Tournament?

Set up a professional double elimination bracket in minutes with automatic losers bracket management.