4 team double elimination bracket: every game in order, where each loser drops into the losers bracket and the grand final. 6 games, or 7 with a reset.
In a 4 team double elimination bracket a team is out after its second loss. That takes 6 games: 3 in the winners bracket, 2 in the losers bracket and the grand final. If the losers-bracket champion wins the grand final, both finalists have one loss and a reset game makes it 7.
Every game in order
Number the teams by seed (1 = strongest) and play the games in this order. A "Loser of game N" line is where a team plays after its first loss, so the table doubles as the drop-in chart.
Game
Round
Matchup
1
Winners round 1
Seed 1 vs Seed 4
2
Winners round 1
Seed 2 vs Seed 3
3
Winners final
Winner of game 1 vs Winner of game 2
4
Losers round 1
Loser of game 1 vs Loser of game 2
5
Losers final
Winner of game 4 vs Loser of game 3
6
Grand final
Winner of game 3 vs Winner of game 5
7
Grand final, reset
Winner of game 3 vs Winner of game 5
No byes
4 is a power of two, so the bracket is full: winners round 1 has 2 games and their 2 losers start the losers bracket against each other. Every losers-bracket game knocks one team out, and all but the two finalists go out there: 4 − 2 = 2 games.
Rounds and games in each bracket
Winners bracket, games per round: winners round 1 (2) and winners final (1). Losers bracket: losers round 1 (1) and losers final (1). Then the grand final and, if needed, the reset.
Where the losers go
The loser of the winners final, game 3, drops into game 5, the losers final. Bracket Maker crosses the later drop-ins over (reversed, or halves swapped), so two teams that just played don't meet again straight away. Every "Loser of game N" line in the table shows where that team plays next.
Grand final and reset
The winners-bracket champion (winner of game 3) meets the losers-bracket champion (winner of game 5) in game 6. If the losers-bracket champion wins, both teams have one loss and game 7 decides the title. Bracket Maker plays the reset by default; switch off Grand final reset if one final is enough (6 games at most).
Short on time?
Single elimination with 4 teams plays 3 games in 2 rounds, about half as many. A round robin plays 6 games, but every team plays 3 of them.
Open Bracket Maker, pick Double elimination and paste your 4 team names in seed order. It drops every loser into the right losers-bracket game, adds the byes and plays the reset only if it is needed. Free, right here in your browser or offline in the Android app.
Frequently asked questions
How many games are in a 4 team double elimination tournament?
6, or 7 if the grand final is reset: 3 in the winners bracket, 2 in the losers bracket, then the grand final.
How many rounds does a 4 team double elimination bracket have?
2 in the winners bracket and 2 in the losers bracket, then the grand final (and the reset if it is needed).
What is the fewest games a team can play?
Two: two losses and you are out. The champion plays at least 3: 2 in the winners bracket and the grand final.
Where does the loser of the winners final go?
Into game 5, the losers final, against the team that has won its way through the losers bracket.