Knockout (single elimination): the classic tournament bracket

A knockout — single elimination — is the simplest tournament format in padel: win and you advance to the next round, lose and you are out. The bracket halves the field each round until one pair is left. It is the format behind almost every professional draw and most official amateur tournaments.

How it works

Pairs are placed in a bracket sized to the next power of two (8, 16, 32), with byes filling the gaps when the entry is not exact. Seeding keeps the strongest pairs apart until the later rounds. Matches are usually full-length — best of three sets — because each one may be a pair’s only match of the day. A double elimination variant gives every pair two lives: a first loss drops you into a losers’ bracket, and only a second loss eliminates you.

Who it is for

Knockouts suit official tournaments where a clear champion and a compact schedule matter more than guaranteed court time. They are harsh on early losers — a pair can travel and play once — so many events bolt on a consolation bracket or a group stage (see round robin) to give everyone at least two or three matches. Double elimination builds that safety in from the start, at the cost of roughly twice as many matches.

How to run one

• Seed at least the top quarter of the draw so the best pairs meet late, not early.
• Consider a consolation draw for first-round losers at open events.
• Schedule final rounds back-to-back on a show court — knockouts build to a natural climax.

Best for: official tournaments and decisive champions. Duration: a day or a weekend, depending on draw size.