Bracket format
Preset8-Team Bracket
3-round single-elim, 7 matches total.
Free 8-team bracket generator. Clean 3-round single-elim, every team plays round 1, no byes. Type teams in, score from there.
Walkthrough
How this format works
A worked 8-team single elimination bracket. Win and you move right, lose once and your run is over.
Build one step by step
From an empty editor to a finished, printable 8 teams bracket.
- 1
Add your teams
Type each team or player into the editor, or paste a whole list at once. Single elimination works for 4 up to 64 names.
- 2
Set the seeding
Order matters. Seed 1 should be your strongest team. The editor pairs seed 1 against the bottom seed, 2 against the next, so the top two can only meet in the final.
- 3
Generate the bracket
Hit Generate. If your team count is not a power of two, the top seeds get first-round byes automatically so the bracket still ends with one champion.
- 4
Score the games
Type a score into each match. The winner advances to the next round on its own, all the way to the final.
- 5
Print or share
Pick landscape or portrait, then print to PDF. Or save the bracket and share the link so everyone follows along.
About
About this format
8 teams is the sweet spot for a single day. Three rounds, seven games, runs in 3 to 4 hours. League playoffs, weekend doubles, eight-team rec brackets. Because 8 is a power of two, every team plays in round 1 and the bracket fills cleanly down to the final. Seeding goes 1 vs the bottom seed, 2 vs the second-lowest, with the top two on opposite halves so they can only meet in the final.
Features
What you get
- 3-round single elimination
- 7 matches total
- No byes, every team plays round 1
- Optional third-place playoff for the semifinal losers
- Print or share the bracket link
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many games in a 8-team single elim?
7 games, across 3 rounds. Single elim is always N-1 games. Every match eliminates one team until only one's left.
Do I have to use exactly 8 teams?
No. 8 is the default, but you can add or remove teams in the editor and the bracket re-sizes automatically.
Related bracket formats
Ready to build a 8 teams bracket?
Open the editor, customize teams and seeds, score matches as you play.
Open 8-team bracket maker