> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podplay.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podplay.app/pro-system/tournaments/running-a-tournament-or-league.md). # Running a Tournament or League ### Overview Fixed tournament formats — Round Robin, Elimination, and Hybrid — and Leagues are for events where the player list is locked at the start and everyone plays through to the end. This guide covers how to set them up and run them. *New here? Start with PodPlay Tournaments: Overview.* #### Pick Your Format **Round Robin.** Every team plays every other team within their group. * *Single Round Robin* — each team plays every other team once. * *Double Round Robin* — each team plays every other team twice. **Elimination Bracket.** Knockout style. * *Single Elimination* — lose once, you're out. * *Double Elimination* — Winners and Consolation brackets; lose twice to be eliminated. Includes a Bronze Match for 3rd place. **Hybrid (Round Robin + Bracket).** Group play followed by an elimination bracket. Top performers from round robin advance to a playoff. Includes Finals and a Bronze Match. **Leagues.** Multiple tournament sessions with cumulative standings across the season. * *Single Round Robin League* — each session is a single round robin. * *Double Round Robin League* — each session uses double round robin. * *Hybrid League* — round robin sessions with a championship bracket in the final session. * *Weekly Schedule League* — each team plays once per week, with playoffs at the end. * *Ladder League* — round robin with multiple groups; players move between groups based on performance (1 Up / 1 Down or 2 Up / 2 Down). Available only for round robin leagues with multiple groups. #### Step 1: Create the Tournament Go to the **Tournaments** tab and click **+ New Tournament**. **Find the event.** Select your location (auto-selected for single-location clubs) and pick your event from the next 35 days. Private Reservations don't appear in the event list. **Choose format and settings.** Pick **Round Robin**, **Elimination Bracket**, or **Round Robin + Bracket (Hybrid)**. Then configure: * **Games per Match:** Single Game, Best of 3, or Best of 5. * **Points to Win:** 11, 15, or 21 (with configurable win-by margin). * **Event Type:** Singles, Doubles, Rotating Doubles (Round Robin only), MLP 4 Players, or MLP 3 Players (Hybrid only). Click **Create Tournament**. Courts and players are imported from the linked PodPlay event. #### Step 2: Finalize Players Right Before Tip-Off {% hint style="warning" %} Wait until right before the event to finalize the roster. Even fixed tournaments deal with no-shows, late sign-ups, and cancellations. {% endhint %} * **Refresh** — syncs the latest lineup and check-in status from PodPlay. * **Add Walk-Ons** — adds ad hoc players. Note: Walk-On matches can't submit DUPR results. * **Get Non-Participants** — pulls eligible non-participants you can choose to add. Exclude no-shows during setup. Once matches are generated, the roster is expected to stay stable except for retirements (e.g., injury). #### Step 3: Set Up Teams (Doubles, MLP 4, MLP 3 Only) * **Drag + Drop** — drag players into team slots. * **Auto-Assign** — pairs the highest-rated with the lowest-rated for balanced play. *Example: A=1700, B=1600, C=1500, D=1400 → A pairs with D, B pairs with C.* For Doubles with an odd number, a single-player team is created on the assumption they'll get a rotating partner. Click the red X next to the lone player if you'd rather they sit out. Click **Submit Teams** to continue. #### Step 4: Set Up Groups (Round Robin and Hybrid Only) Pick the number of groups (pools) from the **Number of Groups** dropdown. * **Drag + Drop** — manually move teams between groups. * **Auto Seed** — distributes evenly. With DUPR ratings, this uses Snake Seeding for balanced groups. Click **Generate Matches** to start the tournament. #### Step 5: Run the Event Click **Tournament Settings** to control the event. **General Tab:** * **Show Tournament In App** — controls visibility in the PodPlay app. * **Player Score Entry** — let players submit scores from the app, or restrict to admins. * **Default Scoring Options** — locked once play begins. Hybrid tournaments allow scoring changes between stages. **Group Scoring (Round Robin and Hybrid).** Set different scoring rules per group — useful when group sizes vary. *Example: Groups A and B have 5 teams; Group C has 4. Set Group C to 15 points so all groups finish around the same time.* **Bracket Scoring (Hybrid and Elimination).** Configure a different number of games and scoring per bracket round (Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals, Finals, Bronze Match). Once any score is submitted for a round, that round's scoring is locked. **Manage Courts:** * **Import Courts** from the linked PodPlay event. * **Assign to Groups** — dedicate specific courts to specific groups. * **Enable / Disable** courts without removing them. {% hint style="warning" %} Court changes only apply to **future rounds**. {% endhint %} #### Running a League Leagues use the same creation flow with a few extras: * Pick your league format (Single RR, Double RR, Hybrid, Weekly Schedule, or Ladder). * For **Ladder Leagues**, configure movement (1 Up / 1 Down or 2 Up / 2 Down). Only available with multiple groups in a Round Robin league. * Each session is set up like an individual tournament. Standings are tracked cumulatively across the season. * Leagues have their own dedicated public pages showing season-long standings. #### Tips * **Hybrid is your friend for variable skill levels.** Round robin guarantees match volume; the bracket gives top performers a meaningful finale. * **Use Group Scoring to balance group lengths.** Smaller groups can play to higher point totals so everyone finishes together. * **Set bracket scoring intentionally.** Quarterfinals at 11 win by 2, Finals at 15 win by 2 is a common pattern that ramps up stakes. * **Don't reshuffle courts mid-round.** Court enable/disable only applies to future rounds — finish current matches before making changes. * **Auto Seed needs ratings to do its best work.** If your players don't have DUPR ratings, expect more uneven groups; consider manual drag + drop instead. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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