How to Run 15 Team Double-Elimination Tournament
Setting up a double-elimination bracket for 15 teams is fast and hassle-free with our free tournament bracket maker.
The app allows you to record scores, automatically moves teams forward to their next matches or rounds, and takes care of the grand final games for you.
How Does 15 Team Double Elimination Tournament Work?
A 15 team double-elimination tournament consists of three brackets:
Winner’s Bracket
In a 15 team tournament, the format closely mirrors a single-elimination bracket for 15 teams, with multiple rounds and matchups deciding which teams move forward.
But a loss in the winners’ bracket doesn’t end a team’s run. Teams that are defeated there drop into the losers’ bracket, where they get another opportunity to keep playing and potentially fight their way back to the finals.
Loser’s Bracket
In a 15 team double-elimination tournament, the losers’ bracket provides teams with a second opportunity after their first defeat. Any team that continues to win on this side can battle through the bracket and earn a spot in the finals.
Finals
In a 15 team tournament, the finals begin with a matchup between the last team standing in the losers bracket and the team that most recently fell from the winners bracket. The loser of this game finishes in 3rd place, while the winner advances to the Grand Final to challenge the undefeated winners’ bracket teamfor the title.
If the winners’ bracket team loses in the Grand Final, its first defeat of the tournament, a deciding Grand Final Reset match is played to determine the champion.
Our tournament app manages this entire process automatically, keeping the bracket updated and recording results so you don’t have to handle any of it manually.
Seeding
For a 15 team tournament, you can choose how matchups are set for the opening round:
- seeded: Top-seeded teams are placed in the bracket so they won’t meet until the later stages of the tournament.
- blind draw: Teams are mixed up and matched against each other entirely by chance.
- manual seeding: Teams are paired based on the order they’re entered, with byes included as needed to keep the bracket balanced.
Compared to other Tournament Formats
A 15 team double-elimination tournament offers a strong balance between single elimination and a full round robin. It runs longer, but finishes sooner than a complete round robin, while giving teams a fairer chance by allowing them to remain in contention even after one loss.
| Format | Total games | Games per team | Rounds | Fairness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Robin | 105 | 14 | 15 | Everyone plays everyone | Best for leagues |
| Single Elimination | 14 | 1–4 | 4 | Harsh cutoff | Best for quick events |
| Double Elimination | 28–29 | 2–8 | 8 | More forgiving | Popular in esports |
| Swiss System | 28 | 4 | 4 | Balanced, flexible | Chess, card games |
Printable 15 Team Double-Elimination Bracket
You have the option to print your bracket, making it easy to share with participants or post for everyone to see during the tournament.
