Tournament formats Pick the format that fits your crowd, courts and time.
Eight formats, from a relaxed Americano to a full group stage with a knockout final.
The eight formats
Americano
Partners rotate every round; points decide the table.
4+ players
Mexicano
Rounds are paired by current standings.
4+ players
Team Mexicano
Fixed pairs, paired by standings each round.
2+ pairs
Round robin
Everyone partners and faces everyone once.
4–6 players
Team round robin
Fixed pairs play every other pair once.
2+ pairs
Swiss
Fixed rounds; similar records meet each round.
4+ pairs
Knockout
Single or double elimination bracket.
4–16 pairs
Group + knockout
Groups seed a final bracket.
3, 6, 9… pairs
Quick picker
Start here if you need a recommendation
Compare the formats
Who partners whom, how each round is drawn, and what decides the table.
| Format | Partners | Each round | Ranked by | Players | Create |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americano | Rotate | Random rotation with a match cap per player | Points scored | 4+ players | Create |
| Mexicano | Rotate by ranking | 1st and 4th play 2nd and 3rd, one round at a time | Points scored | 4+ players | Create |
| Team Mexicano | Fixed pairs | Opponents set by the current ranking | Points scored | 2+ pairs | Create |
| Round robin | Rotate | Every partner and opponent combination | Win ratio | 4–6 players | Create |
| Team round robin | Fixed pairs | Every pair plays every other pair | Win ratio, then point difference | 2+ pairs | Create |
| Swiss | Fixed pairs | Similar records meet, no rematches | Points, then Buchholz | 4+ pairs | Create |
| Knockout | Fixed pairs | Single or double elimination bracket | Bracket result | 4–16 pairs | Create |
| Group + knockout | Fixed pairs | Groups of three, then a knockout bracket | Group points, then the bracket | 3, 6, 9… pairs | Create |
Running the day
Decisions worth locking before the first serve.
Time and courts
Keep rounds consistent to avoid delays.
- Match count per round equals your court count.
- Build a short buffer between rounds for score reporting.
- Publish a clear rotation order before the first serve.
Seeding and finals
Give teams clarity on how they reach the title.
- Use group standings to seed the bracket.
- Single elimination is faster; double adds recovery.
- Schedule finals with extra warmup time.
Ranking rules
Use a clear tie-break order and announce it up front.
- Wins or points as the primary ranking.
- Head-to-head for ties between two teams.
- Point differential as the next tiebreaker.
- Points scored or a playoff match if still tied.
Organizer checklist
Lock these decisions early to keep the day smooth.
- Lock match length and scoring format before publishing.
- Confirm court count and round rotation cadence.
- Set ranking tiebreakers: wins, head-to-head, point diff.
- Plan rest windows between rounds.
- Decide how results are reported and verified.
Match day rhythm
A simple flow that keeps players engaged and courts full.
- 1
Kickoff briefing
Assign courts, confirm scoring, and share the match order.
- 2
Midway check-in
Update standings and announce the next rotation.
- 3
Bracket moment
Publish seeds and allow a short warmup before elimination.
- 4
Finale and awards
Close with final standings, stats, and recognition.
Ready to build your bracket?
Create a tournament in BallBuddy and let the platform handle the schedule.