The format you pick determines how long your event takes, how many games each team plays, and how forgiving it is. Here's what each one looks like in practice.
Single Elimination
Lose once. Go home. The fastest bracket format. A 16-team single elim tournament takes 15 games total. With 4 courts, you're done in about 2 hours.
Best for: Large fields (16–64 teams), time-limited events, or when you want a clear, dramatic bracket.
Downside: Half your teams play one game and leave. If you're charging an entry fee, that can sting.
Double Elimination
Lose once and you drop to the losers bracket. Lose twice and you're out. The losers bracket winner faces the winners bracket champion in the finals.
A 16-team double elim bracket runs 30 games — nearly double single elim. Budget about 3–4 hours with 4 courts.
Best for: Competitive events where one bad game shouldn't end your run. 8–32 teams.
Downside: Takes longer. The losers bracket can feel like a grind. Finals can require two sets if the losers bracket winner takes game one.
Round Robin
Every team plays every other team. Most games per team. With 8 teams, that's 28 total games. You need time and courts.
Best for: Small fields (4–8 teams), league nights, or events where everyone wants a full day of play.
Downside: Scales badly. 12 teams = 66 games. 16 teams = 120 games. Don't do it unless you have all day.
Swiss
Players with similar records face each other each round. Nobody gets eliminated. After a set number of rounds (usually 4–6), final standings determine the winner based on wins, losses, and point differential.
Best for: Large fields where you want everyone to keep playing. Good compromise between round robin and elimination.
Downside: No bracket drama. Can feel anticlimactic without a finals match. Some people need a visual bracket to stay engaged.
Which Format Should You Pick?
Short on time? Single elimination.
Competitive field that wants a fair shot? Double elimination.
Small group, all day? Round robin.
Big field, want everyone playing? Swiss.
BagTrax supports all four. Set up your tournament and pick the format that fits.