Why run your table tennis tournament with a dedicated tool
A table tennis tournament has its own shape: groups of 3 or 4 players followed by a main draw, matches best of 5 games (or 3, or 7), and lots of tables playing at once. The “Table tennis” sport comes ready: game-by-game scoring (11-9, 8-11…), no draws, a table number on every match, and group standings broken by head-to-head and game and point difference.
- Groups + main draw: The top players from each group go straight into the draw, with no same-group pairings in the first round.
- Consolation draw: Those who don’t qualify play another draw at the same time: nobody goes home after three matches.
- Game by game: Enter each game; choose best of 3, 5 or 7, and a different one for the draw if you like.
- Numbered tables: Every match has its table, so players know where to go.
How to create a table tennis tournament step by step
- Create a free account. Sign up in under a minute; no card required.
- Choose “Table tennis” and the “Groups + Knockout” format. Set players per group and qualifiers, and turn on the consolation draw if you want everyone to keep playing. You can also run a league, a straight knockout or a ladder.
- Register players or pairs. Singles, doubles or teams; add them yourself or share a code so they sign up.
- Start and assign tables. The tool creates the groups and their matches; each one gets a table number.
- Enter results game by game. When the groups finish, the main and consolation draws are generated automatically with the qualifiers.
A practical example: a 16-player club tournament on 8 tables
Picture a club tournament with 16 players in 4 groups of 4. Each group plays 6 matches in 3 rounds: with 8 tables, every round is played all at once. Matches are best of 5 games to 11 points. The top 2 from each group go into the main draw of 8 (quarterfinals, semifinals and final) and the 3rd and 4th into the consolation draw, also of 8. That’s 24 group matches and 14 draw matches: every player gets at least 4 matches and there are two champions, the tournament’s and the consolation’s.
Tips for running a table tennis tournament
- Groups of 4 beat groups of 3: with 4, each player gets 3 group matches and ties on wins are easier to break.
- Turn on the consolation draw: in club tournaments it’s what brings people back: whoever goes out in the groups keeps playing.
- Decide the “best of” before you start: for example, best of 5 in the groups and best of 7 in the final; the tool checks the result makes sense.
- Share the public link: players see their table, opponent and group standings on their phone.
Common mistakes when running a table tennis tournament
- Building the draws by hand: it’s easy to pair two players from the same group in round one; the automatic draw avoids it.
- Recording only who won: without games and points you lose the fairest group tiebreakers.
- Leaving those knocked out with nothing: three matches and home is discouraging; a consolation draw keeps everyone playing.
- Not assigning tables: with many tables at once, matches run late and nobody knows where to play.
Groups + draw, knockout or league: which format?
For a one-day tournament, the usual table tennis format is groups + main draw, with a consolation draw for non-qualifiers: everyone plays several matches and the draw crowns the champion. A straight knockout is quicker but sends half the field home after one match. For a club season, a league (everyone plays everyone) or a permanent challenge ladder works better.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes. Creating the tournament, generating groups and draws, entering results and sharing the standings is free and needs no card.
Are results entered game by game?
Yes. Each match is entered game by game (11-9, 8-11…) and you can choose best of 1, 3, 5 or 7 games, with a different value for the draw if you like.
Is there a consolation draw?
Yes. In “Groups + Knockout”, turn on the consolation draw and those who don’t qualify from each group play another draw alongside the main one. And in the “Knockout tournament” format you can turn on a consolation draw for first-round losers: anyone who loses their first match plays another draw, which starts as soon as that round is over.
Does it work for doubles?
Yes. You can enter individual players, pairs (doubles and mixed doubles) or teams.
How are group ties broken?
By wins and, if tied, by head-to-head, then game difference and point difference. You can change the order.
Can players see their table and the standings?
Yes. Every tournament has a public page with groups, draws, tables and results that anyone with the link can view.
Can I run a team league?
Yes. With the “Team table tennis” sport each tie between clubs is several singles and doubles matches, scored set by set: the tie goes to whoever wins more matches, and the standings break ties on matches, sets and points. Choose Corbillon, Swaythling or your own system.
Does it check that games are played to 11?
If you want. In “Match rules” pick how many points a game goes to and every game is checked when saved: the winner must reach it with a 2-point lead (11-9, 12-10…). By default any score is accepted, for leagues that play shorter games.
Create your table tennis tournament now
Set up your table tennis tournament or league with groups, a main draw and a consolation draw in a few minutes. Create your free account or explore the competitions to see real competitions.