How to Create a Tournament

Estimate how many players and teams will be involved in the tournament. If the tournament is a post-season event that will crown a champion, take into consideration how much time you have to work with and the length of the tournament. Consider whether participants will be invited to the event, as in post-season play, or whether you are advertising for people to sign up for the event.

Determine the location and time frame of the tournament. It is easier to find a location for the tournament if it does not matter when the event is to take place. However, if a specific month, day and year is needed, you may need to check into several possible locations for the event. Allow plenty of time to secure a location. Depending on the type of tournament, reservations for the location may need to be made as far as a year in advance. Consider whether the tournament will last one day or several days, which days of the week are involved and how large a space is needed for the tournament itself.

Calculate how much the event will cost, taking into account the cost of the facility, supplies, speaker fees, refreshments, awards or trophies and referees. Budget additional money for surprise expenses. Take into consideration whether players and teams will be charged to participate. Set up an account at a bank if one is not already in place. Think about whether a policeman or an ambulance needs to be present at the event and budget for that expense.

Recruit volunteers to help. Organize the volunteers for work that needs to be done before, during and after the tournament.

Publicize your tournament. Depending on your budget, you can use radio, television, local newspapers, online Web sites and mailings to former participants. Find out where you can hang outside banners and display posters in local businesses. Obtain sponsors to help defray the cost of the tournament in exchange for free advertising.

Set up a process to register teams. If possible, put into place many ways to register, such as by mail, online or in person. Select a time period for registration, including both a beginning and ending date. Decide whether you will take any late registrations and whether a late fee will apply. Think about what information you need from participants. Contact information is a must along with skill level and clothing sizes. Some tournaments provide T-shirts to event participants.

Create tournament brackets. Many free online software programs, including BracketMaker.com, can help you set up tourney brackets. Software such as Microsoft Office can be used to download templates for creating brackets. If needed, contact participants with tourney information or post playing times at the event.

Be prepared on the day the tournament begins and arrive early. Organize volunteers and direct them to where they will be helping. If the event will take place inside a building, post signs outside indicating which door to enter. Set up a table with volunteers to greet arrivals and check in participants. Post competition times in a convenient location and provide this information to each competitor upon arrival. Verify that participants know where restroom facilities, first aid stations and refreshments are located. Be available for any emergencies that come up. Plan to stay throughout the tournament and confirm that cleanup is performed after the tournament.