Knockout cup bracket maker
A single-elimination knockout tournament requires exactly N − 1 matches to determine a winner, because every fixture eliminates one team. For example, an 8-team cup requires 7 matches (plus 1 for an optional 3rd place play-off), while 16 teams require 15 matches. Generate your seeded bracket with automatic byes below.
Updated
Preview of the draw
Paste your teams on the left, one per line, and the groups, fixtures and bracket appear here.
How a knockout cup works
In a knockout, or single-elimination, cup the winner of each match goes through and the loser is out, until two teams meet in the final. It is the quickest format to run on a single day and gives every game a cup-tie feel.
A bracket only splits evenly for 4, 8, 16 or 32 teams. For any other number the maker gives the top seeds a bye into round 2, so the rest of the bracket lines up. If you want every team to play more than once, try groups followed by a knockout in the same tool.
Rounds, byes and matches by number of teams
| Teams | Rounds | Byes | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 11 |
| 16 | 4 | 0 | 15 |
| 24 | 5 | 8 | 23 |
| 32 | 5 | 0 | 31 |
What you get
How to make a knockout cup bracket
- Name your cup. Add the name, date and kick-off, the venue and the team size.
- Keep Knockout selected. This page opens on Knockout. Tick the 3rd place match if you want one.
- Paste your teams. One per line, strongest first for a seeded draw, or press Shuffle for an open draw.
- Publish the bracket. Sign in once to publish and share the link with teams and families.
- Enter results. Winners move into the next round by themselves, all the way to the final.
Questions
How do I make a knockout cup bracket?
Name your cup, keep Knockout selected, paste your teams one per line and the bracket is drawn for you. Press Shuffle for a random draw. After publishing, winners move into the next round as you enter scores.
How many matches are in a knockout tournament?
One fewer than the number of teams, because every match knocks out one team: 8 teams play 7 matches, 16 teams play 15 and 32 teams play 31. A 3rd place match adds one more.
What happens if the number of teams is not 4, 8, 16 or 32?
Some teams get a bye into round 2 so the bracket works out. The number of byes is the gap to the next power of two: 12 teams need 4 byes and 6 teams need 2. Byes go to the top seeds, which are the teams listed first.
Can I seed the draw?
Yes. Teams are seeded in the order you paste them, so put your strongest teams first and they are kept apart until the later rounds. Use Shuffle for an open draw instead.
Does it handle draws and penalties?
Yes. A knockout match needs a winner, so if it finishes level you enter the penalty shoot-out score and the winner goes through.
Can I add a 3rd place play-off?
Yes. Tick the 3rd place match option and the two losing semi-finalists play each other.
Is it free?
Yes, with no ads. Players and families follow the live bracket without an account, and only the organiser signs in to enter scores.
Read the guide
More free tools
- Soccer tournament makerGroups, knockout or league, live link
- Round robin fixture generatorEveryone plays everyone once
- Football lineup builder5, 7, 9 or 11-a-side, 28 formations
- Equal playing time calculatorFair minutes and a sub schedule
- Match result graphic makerFull-time score for stories and posts
- Football player card makerYour photo, rating and season stats
- Season fee calculatorBreak-even subs, card vs cash
- Free football toolsEvery free tool, no sign-up
Running a club? See how the free live match centre works, or launch your free club site.