Hosting a Tournament

The complete host guide, from empty page to paid-out prizes. Everything runs on-platform — no spreadsheets, no third-party bracket sites, no "DM me your score."

Flagship/sponsored events: follow the stricter checklist in CHAMPIONSHIP_RUNBOOK.md — it doubles as your sponsor evidence pack.

1. Get a host account

Playing is free forever; hosting needs the host role — apply at /become-a-host if you don't have it yet (how it works). Your first event is free (no credit card). Plans (Free / Host / Pro) control how many active events and sponsor slots you get, and Pro adds competition game servers and API access — see Billing & plans for current tiers.

2. Create the event

Host console → Events → New event (/host/events). You set:

• Title, game, team size, capacity. Pick the game from the catalog (or type a custom title). Catalog games get hub pages, verified-data bindings, and better discovery.
• Format — single elimination, double elimination, round robin, or Swiss. Seeding and byes are handled for you. In double elimination, the winners-bracket champion has to lose twice: if the losers-bracket champion wins the grand final, the bracket adds one reset match.
• Schedule — start/end times; check-in opens automatically before start (default window is set per event).
• Rules — shown on the event page; disputes are judged against what you write here, so be specific (match count, remakes, forfeit timers).
• Riot-verified rank gate (League of Legends, optional) — a minimum and/or maximum solo-queue rank. Gates are enforced at registration against each player's Riot Sign-On-verified rank. Players without a linked Riot account cannot enter a gated event. Use it for "Iron-to-Gold open" or "Diamond+ invitational" fields.

3. Prizes and sponsors

• Prizes (/host/events/[id] → prizes): label + optional cash amount per placement. Prize amounts feed the payout queue after the event.
• Sponsors (/host/events/[id]/sponsors): open marketplace slots (platinum/gold/silver/partner) and approve applications, or add direct sponsors. Placements record impressions and clicks for your recap.
• Riot titles are always free entry (platform commitment). Prizes are fine; entry fees on Riot titles are not enabled.

4. Discord + stream

• Link your Discord once (/host/discord): publishing announces the event, match calls ping the right players, and role rules can auto-grant roles from verified ranks.
• Attach a stream URL (Twitch, Kick, or YouTube): every event gets a stream page that embeds your broadcast next to the live bracket, and a transparent OBS overlay at /events/[slug]/overlay (add it as a browser source).

5. Publish

One click. Publishing:

• lists the event on the public schedule (/events) — registration velocity, fill %, prizes, and imminence feed the 🔥 HOT rail;
• announces it to your Discord;
• opens registration with shareable link-preview cards.

6. Run the event

7. Pay out and report

• Payout queue (/admin/payouts): each prize is verified against its winner, then marked paid. Every step is recorded in the audit log — verifier, timestamp, amount.
• Sponsor recap: placement metrics (impressions/clicks) are on the sponsors page — screenshot or export for your sponsor email.
• Standings flow automatically into season leaderboards, player XP, trending, and league standings (if the event is part of a league).

Quick reference