3 team double elimination bracket
For 3 teams or players, and every one has to lose twice to go out. 4 matches across a winners bracket and a losers bracket, plus one more if the losers-bracket champion wins the first final. Type team names into the sheet, then print it or download the PDF.
Match order and drop map
where every winner and loser goes next| Match | Round | Who plays | Winner to | Loser to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winners R1 | #2 seed v #3 seed | Match 2 | Match 3 |
| 2 | Winners final | #1 seed v Winner of match 1 | Match 4 | Match 3 |
| 3 | Losers final | Loser of match 1 v Loser of match 2 | Match 4 | Out |
| 4 | Grand final | Winner of match 2 v Winner of match 3 | Champion, or match 5 | Match 5 if it is their first loss |
| 5 | If necessary | Same two teams as match 4 | Champion | Runner-up |
Other sizes and formats
Double elimination: other sizes
3 teams: other formats
Questions
How many games are in a 3 team double elimination bracket?
4 or 5. Each team except the champion has to lose twice, which is 4 losses, and each match hands out one. Match 5 is only played if the champion also loses once.
What is the "if necessary" game?
Match 4 is the grand final between the winners-bracket champion, who has not lost, and the losers-bracket champion, who has lost once. If the losers-bracket team wins, both teams have one loss, so they play match 5 to decide it.
Where do teams go after their first loss?
Into the losers bracket, at the spot marked with their match number. For example the loser of match 1 goes to match 3, shown on the sheet as L1. Losers from later winners-bracket rounds are crossed over to the other side of the losers bracket so that two teams who have already played meet again as late as possible. The full list is in the table above.
How do byes work with 3 teams?
The winners bracket is drawn on 4 lines, so the top seed skips its first round. The empty spots carry into the losers bracket too: some first-round losers wait a round there before they play.
How many games does the champion play, and how long does it take?
Between 2 and 5: 2 for a team that never loses and starts with a bye, 5 for one that drops into the losers bracket and comes all the way back. The whole bracket takes about 2h on two courts with 30-minute games, plus one more game if match 5 is needed.