Work out the clock first
Total court time is games × minutes per game. Divide by the number of courts, then add 10 to 15 percent for delays. Eight teams in single elimination is 7 games; at 25 minutes on 2 courts that is about 100 minutes of play. Eight teams in double elimination is 14 or 15 games, about 3 hours on 2 courts.
Choose the format
- Under 2 hours: single elimination, or a round robin of 4 to 6 teams.
- About 3 hours: double elimination for 8 teams, or pool play into a short bracket.
- More than 16 teams in one evening: single elimination, or split into divisions.
A sample plan
Sixteen teams, four courts and 20-minute games. Single elimination has 15 games: eight in round 1, then four, two and one. Round 1 takes two slots on four courts and each later round takes one, so five slots, 100 minutes plus delays.
Before people arrive
- Fix the rules on one page: scoring, tiebreakers, who rules on disputes.
- Seed or draw before players are standing around.
- Print the bracket for the wall and run a live copy so players can check from their phones.
During play
Call the next game as the previous one starts, not when it ends. Give teams a five-minute warning. Hold finals until everyone can watch. Keep the organizer link to yourself and use match codes if players report their own scores.
Questions
How long does a 16-team tournament take?
Single elimination has 15 games. At 20 minutes a game on four courts it takes about five time slots, a little under two hours with breaks.
Which format is best for one evening?
Single elimination or a short round robin. Double elimination needs about twice the games, so only use it if you have the courts.
How do I keep the evening on time?
Call the next game as the last one starts, give a five-minute warning and start rounds on the clock whether or not every game has finished.