standings

Standings refer to the ranking of participants in a competition based on results to date. They are used in leagues, pools, and tournaments to show the relative position of teams or players and are usually presented as a standings table listing name, points, matches played, and additional performance metrics such as wins, draws, losses, and goal difference.

Most standings are built on a points system: a win typically earns a set number of points (commonly three in many sports, one for a draw, and zero for a loss). After each match, totals are updated. When participants are level on points, tiebreakers determine order. Common tiebreakers include goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, and, in some cases, disciplinary records or playoff matches.

Standings serve several purposes: they determine progression within a competition (such as qualification for playoffs or a championship), promotion or relegation between divisions, and seedings for future rounds. They also provide a transparent, real-time snapshot for fans, media, and organizers.

There are variations in format. Some leagues use a single-table format where all participants are ranked in one list, while others split into conferences or divisions with separate tables. Depending on the sport, standings may incorporate different metrics, such as sets or games won in tennis or basketball, to reflect performance.

Etymologically, standings are closely related to the idea of ranks or tables used to display “who stands where” in a competition. The concept is widespread across professional and amateur sports worldwide.