How to run a round robin tournament
How a round robin works, how many matches and rounds you need, and how to schedule one without a spreadsheet.
What it is
In a round robin, every player or team plays every other one. Nobody is knocked out, so everyone gets the same number of matches, and the table decides the winner.
How many matches you need
With n entries you need n × (n − 1) ÷ 2 matches. Four entries play 6 matches, six play 15, and eight play 28. Each entry plays n − 1 matches.
How many rounds you need
An even number of entries needs n − 1 rounds. An odd number needs n rounds, and one entry sits out each round.
When to use it
It suits small groups, club nights and leagues, where people want plenty of play. Above about eight entries the match count grows quickly, so split them into groups.
Check your time first
Multiply your matches by your match length, then divide by your courts. Eight entries, 28 matches of 30 minutes on 3 courts takes at least 4 hours 40 minutes.
Let Matchday do the scheduling
Matchday builds the draw, schedules your courts and updates the results as they come in.
Your first 10 events are free. Works in your browser, or get the app on the App Store or Google Play.