🎯 Single-phase Tournament (1 Phase)
Possible formats:
✅ Round-robin
All teams play against each other.
Winner = the team with the most points.
✅ Knockout (Playoff)
Elimination bracket.
Loser is eliminated, winner advances.
Winner = the winner of the final.
Not possible:
❌ Group Stage – always requires two phases.
🔄 Two-phase Tournament (2 Phases)
There are 3 possible combinations:
1. Round-robin + Knockout
Structure: Phase I: Round-robin | Phase II: Knockout bracket.
Best for: 8–12 teams.
Pros: Fair start + exciting final.
Cons: Long duration; weaker teams finish after Phase I.
2. Group + Group
Structure: Phase I: Initial groups | Phase II: Target groups (e.g., Gold, Silver, Bronze).
Best for: 12 to ∞ teams.
Pros: Everyone plays many matches; competition against similar-level opponents.
Cons: Very long duration; points from Phase I do not carry over.
3. Group + Knockout
Structure: Phase I: Groups | Phase II: Knockout bracket.
Best for: 16 to ∞ teams (the most popular combination).
Pros: Balanced start + dramatic finale.
Cons: Long tournament (2–3 days); weaker teams are eliminated after Phase I.
📊 Combination Rules
Format | As a single phase | As Phase I (of 2) | As Phase II | Can be followed by |
Round-robin | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Knockout |
Group | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Group, Knockout |
Knockout | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Nothing (Finals) |