Why Organize a Tournament?
A tournament with friends is more than just a sports session. It's a social event that creates memories, strengthens bonds, and adds a touch of friendly competition. Tennis, padel, five-a-side football, badminton, 3x3 basketball — almost any sport works.
The problem? The logistics. Managing registrations, teams, and match schedules can quickly become a nightmare. Here's how to simplify the process.
Step 1: Choose the Format
Before sending out invitations, decide on the format:
- Single elimination: Simple and fast. Ideal for 8+ participants. One loss and you're out.
- Group stage + knockout: More matches for everyone. Perfect for a full afternoon.
- Round-robin: Everyone plays everyone. The fairest format, but the longest.
Adapt the format to the number of participants and available time. For 6-8 players over an afternoon, group stages work great.
Step 2: Find the Participants
This is often the most frustrating step. WhatsApp groups are drowned in "maybe" and "I'll confirm tomorrow" (we dive deep into this in our article WhatsApp vs The One). With The One, create a "Tournament" session with the exact number of spots. Participants confirm with a single tap, and their reliability score tells you how much you can count on them.
Step 3: Book the Venue
Public courts, gyms, private complexes — there are plenty of options. Book as soon as the number of participants is confirmed. Tip: many complexes offer group rates or weekday discounts.
Step 4: Set the Rules
Clarify the rules before game day to avoid disputes:
- Match duration or max score
- Refereeing (self-refereed or dedicated ref)
- Sport-specific rules (let calls, substitutions, etc.)
- Tiebreaker procedures
Step 5: Game Day
Arrive early to set up and welcome players. Display the bracket or share it in the The One session chat. Take photos, have fun, and remember: the goal is to have a good time.
After the Tournament
On The One, participants can rate each other after the session. It's the perfect chance to highlight great players and build your network for the next tournament. Over time, you'll have a community of reliable players ready to meet regularly.
Ready to launch your first tournament? Create your session via the waitlist and invite your friends.