Versenyformátum

Versenyformátum (Hungarian for "competition format") refers to the overall structure and rules that govern how a competition is organized, conducted, and decided. It covers how participants are paired, how many rounds are played, how results are scored, and how a winner is determined. The format shapes pacing, fairness, and audience engagement.

Common formats include single-elimination (losers are removed after a loss), double-elimination (a participant is defeated twice before elimination), round-robin (each participant faces all others), and Swiss-system tournaments (pairing based on current scores to gradually separate competitors). Group stages followed by knockout rounds are also widely used. Some events use leagues or continual round-robin play, while others use heats, legs, or best-of series to decide outcomes.

Key elements defined by a versenyformátum include participant count, qualification criteria, scheduling, tie-break rules (such as head-to-head results, goal difference, point systems, or playoff matches), seeding, and scoring methods (points, wins, or times).

Choosing a format involves trade-offs between fairness, time constraints, and spectator appeal. A well-designed format balances inclusivity, predictability, and opportunities for recovery after a poor performance, while aligning with broadcast considerations and logistics.

Examples appear across domains: sports tournaments with group stages and knockouts; chess and other board games often use Swiss or round-robin formats; programming and robotics contests frequently employ multi-round online qualifiers before an onsite final; and performing-arts competitions may combine heats and eliminations.

See also: competition formats, tournament design, event planning.