How a round-robin works
In a round-robin every team plays every other team the same number of times, so the table at the end is fair: nobody had an easier draw. It's the format for small leagues, group stages and one-day tournaments.
The generator keeps one team in place and rotates the rest by one each round. Every pairing comes up exactly once, nobody plays twice in a round, and the sides swap round by round so no team is always listed first.
- Even number of teams: one fewer rounds than teams, and everyone plays every round.
- Odd number of teams: as many rounds as teams, and one team rests each round.
- Home and away: the same schedule twice, with the sides swapped the second time.
How many games is that?
Worth knowing before you book pitches. With everyone meeting once:
- 4 teams: 6 games over 3 rounds, 2 at a time.
- 5 teams: 10 games over 5 rounds, 2 at a time, one team resting each round.
- 6 teams: 15 games over 5 rounds, 3 at a time.
- 7 teams: 21 games over 7 rounds, 3 at a time, one team resting each round.
- 8 teams: 28 games over 7 rounds, 4 at a time.
- 10 teams: 45 games over 9 rounds, 5 at a time.
- 12 teams: 66 games over 11 rounds, 6 at a time.
Running a one-day tournament
Work back from the time you have. Count the rounds, decide how long each game is, and leave a few minutes between games for teams to swap over. Short games keep everyone warm and the day on time.
Agree how ties in the table are split before the first whistle. This tool, like most leagues, uses points, then goal difference, then goals scored. If two teams are still level, the game between them is the usual decider.
Set up for your number of teams: 4 teams, 5 teams, 6 teams, 7 teams or 8 teams. Teams still need names? Try the team name generator.
One group, two teams, every week?
A fixture list is for several teams. If yours is one group of friends who split into two sides every week, you don't need a schedule: you need to know who's in and to pick fair teams. That's what Squadcard does, and the team generator does the picking without an account.
Start a squadQuestions
Is the fixture generator free?
Yes. No sign-up. Your teams and scores stay in your browser, so they're still there when you come back on the same device.
How many teams can it schedule?
From 3 to 16. Each team plays every other team once, or twice if you choose home and away.
What happens with an odd number of teams?
One team rests in each round, a different one every time, so everyone still plays the same number of games. With 5 teams that's 5 rounds of 2 games.
How is the league table worked out?
Three points for a win and one for a draw. Teams level on points are split by goal difference, then goals scored.
Can I share the fixtures?
Yes. "Copy for the group chat" gives you the whole schedule as text, round by round, and the table copies the same way.
Does it work for other sports?
Yes. A round-robin is the same for any sport with two sides: five-a-side, netball, cricket, darts or a quiz league.