playoffs

Playoffs are the postseason events in many sports designed to determine a league champion after the conclusion of the regular season. They involve teams that qualify based on their performance, usually through the standings, and culminate in a final that decides the title. In some leagues, a playoff may also refer to a single tiebreaking game used to resolve a division or conference outcome.

Formats vary by sport. Common structures include single-elimination brackets, best-of series (such as best-of-seven), or double-elimination formats. Seeding, often based on regular-season records and division winners, determines matchups and home-site advantages. Some leagues award wild cards or hold play-in games to fill remaining spots.

Examples by sport: In basketball and hockey, postseason play typically consists of multiple rounds of best-of series leading to a final to crown the champion. In American football, the playoffs are a single-elimination tournament that culminates in a championship game known as the Super Bowl. In baseball, the postseason includes division series, league championships, and a world championship series, with recent expansions adding wild-card entries and additional rounds.

Terminology and scope: The term playoff can describe either the entire postseason or a particular tie-breaker game. Leagues govern playoff formats independently, and games are commonly held at neutral or higher-seeded venues.

Playoffs are a major source of revenue and fan engagement, and they place significant demand on teams and players.