Build A Bracket

1. Know how many teams your bracket can handle. Brackets work most cleanly with 4, 8, 16, 32, etc. teams. If you have a different number, some teams may need a bye in the first round.
2. Decide how you’ll handle byes before the event. You can assign them randomly.
3. Randomize matchups when appropriate. Put team names in a hat, use a randomizer, or draw numbers so everyone can see that matchups were assigned fairly.
4. Do you have different skill levels coming? So that everyone feels like they belong, consider having two separate brackets if needed. You can call them “pro” and “fun” divisions so that it’s clear.
5. Make blank brackets and don’t fill it in until after every team has arrived.
6. Don’t forget about the losers. Create a second bracket (double elimination) to keep the fun going.
7. Leave plenty of room for names and use a big sheet of paper or posterboard.
8. Number your courts, fields or playing areas. Then write the location right on the bracket or schedule so teams know exactly where to go.
9. Make sure teams know who they play next. Have one clear place where everyone can check the updated bracket between games. It also helps if you or a friend have a loud voice or megaphone.
10. Build in transition time. Making each round a specific length makes everything easier, but you’ll also need to give some breathing room between rounds.
11. Have a plan for ties. Decide the tiebreaker before play starts and tell everyone the rule. Coin flips and rock, paper, scissors are easy to execute.
12. Think about how long teams will wait. If you have a large bracket, there can be significant downtime. Music, snacks or another activity can help keep everyone engaged.
13. Explain the format before you begin. Take a minute to tell everyone the details of how it all works so that you can be efficient. Ex: single or double elimination, what happens after a loss, and where should they go for their next matchup.

Single or double elimination? Think about how much time you have when deciding. Single elimination is faster, but double elimination guarantees more play.

Here’s a google sheet that you can use to pre-fill your teams and have everything automated. Please make sure you make a copy of the sheet before filling it out.

If you have more than 16 teams, here’s a website where you can generate free single elimination and double elimination brackets with as many people as needed.