Organizers can now set up elimination schedules before final team standings are determined by using placeholder teams. This lets you plan brackets, assign time slots, and manage match flow in advance, making tournament day smoother and more efficient.
Using placeholders avoids the confusion that happens when actual teams are seeded before standings are final. For example, without placeholders, a team might appear as “1st place” in the bracket when their ranking isn’t confirmed, which can confuse players.
Note that creating or finalizing the elimination schedule is only available on the web. Viewing the schedule, updating match information, and recording scores can be done on both the web and in the app.
Step 1: Set up the placeholder schedule
Go to your Group Dashboard → Leagues & Tournaments.
Create a new league/tournament or select an existing one.
In the league dashboard, under Manage Schedules, select Create Elimination Schedule.
Enter a Title and fill in the Match Info.
In Schedule Mode, select Use Placeholder Teams.
Step 2: Select teams & seeds
- In Team Selection, set the Expected # of Teams from each pool. This can be:
The number of teams already registered (assuming all teams make it to the elimination round).
Higher than the current number of teams registered if you expect more registrations (e.g., set it to 10 instead of 8 to allow for last-minute signups).
- Choose which seeds advance to the elimination bracket:
Top Seeds (Standard): Advance the highest-ranked teams from each pool to the main elimination bracket.
Bottom Seeds (Alternative): Advance the lowest-ranked teams to a secondary “loser’s bracket” for consolation play.
- Reorder seeds manually if needed by dragging and dropping placeholder teams to adjust the bracket order.
- Customize labels for team placeholders:
Match labels to the pool or division names if you’re using pools.
Shorten labels so they display clearly in the bracket.
Step 3: Add availabilities
Availabilities define when and where matches will be played.
Manual Availability
Select specific dates and time ranges. This is most common for one-day tournaments.
In the pop-up window, choose the facility/resource, add time blocks, and preview match times, then save.
Recurring Availability
Set a weekly repeating schedule.
In the pop-up window, choose the facility/resource, days/times, exceptions, and preview the match times, then save.
Step 4: Preview and create placeholder schedule
The Preview Bracket section allows you to visually confirm seeding.
The Preview Matches section shows a calendar view of matches to confirm timing.
Once you are happy with the schedule, click Create Placeholder Elimination Schedule and the schedule will be saved in an unpublished state, allowing edits to seeding and times before players see it.
Step 5: (Optional) Publish placeholder schedule
If you want players to see the schedule structure before teams are finalized:
Click Publish.
Choose Publish or Publish & Notify Players, with an optional message.
Note: Players will only see placeholder labels (e.g., “A 1st,” “B 2nd”) until you finalize.
While placeholders are active:
You cannot edit teams in matches.
You cannot enter match results.
How to edit, delete, or unpublish
- To make major changes, first Unpublish the schedule:
- Locate the schedule in the dashboard, click Unpublish or Unpublish & Notify.
Once unpublished, you can Edit or Delete the schedule.
Unpublishing hides all matches in that schedule for players.
Step 6: Finalize schedule to replace placeholder teams
When standings are final:
Go to the league/tournament dashboard, then under Manage Schedules, click Finalize.
Review Team Standings.
The system auto-fills actual teams based on the original placeholder criteria.
(Optional) Clear all and manually reseed teams.
(Optional) Use Reset to Default to restore auto-seeded results if needed.
- Preview Bracket to confirm correct matchups.
Save and notify
Click Finalize Schedule to save changes.
Click Finalize Schedule & Notify to:
Send push notification to all teams replacing placeholders.
Include a custom message.
Notification opens directly to the match list.
Step 7: Publish the final schedule
If not already published:
Go to the placeholder elimination schedule.
Click Publish or Publish & Notify Players, adding a message if desired.
What Players See
Before finalization:
- Players see placeholder labels in brackets and match lists.
After finalization:
Placeholders are replaced with actual team names.
If notified, players receive a push notification with a link directly to their matches.
Using placeholder teams gives organizers flexibility to plan confidently, streamline scheduling, reduce last-minute chaos, and deliver a professional experience. By finalizing and publishing only when ready, you stay in full control from start to finish.
Questions? Send them our way: support@opensports.net