Hoofdtoernooi

Hoofdtoernooi is a Dutch term used to describe the main phase of a tournament, typically the portion that follows qualifying rounds. It designates the central competition where the title is decided and the strongest contenders are tested. The exact scope of the hoofdtoernooi varies by sport, but it is usually distinguished from voorrondes or kwalificatiewedstrijden and from any side events associated with the event.

The format of the hoofdtoernooi can include group stages, knockout rounds, or a combination. Participants may be seeded according to rankings, and higher-ranked entrants may receive byes to later rounds to balance the draw. The hoofdtoernooi proceeds until a final or championship match determines the winner.

Originating from Dutch, the word hoofdtoernooi combines hoofd (main) and toernooi (tournament). It is widely used in Dutch-speaking contexts to denote the central competition of an event. Disciplines that commonly use the designation include chess, bridge, go, draughts, and esports as well as traditional sports tournaments.

In practice, the hoofdtoernooi is the main event, with qualifiers and side events existing alongside it.