This setting appears during contest setup and determines which portion of the tournament your pool will cover.
This setting appears during contest setup and determines which portion of the tournament your pool will cover.
Where to Choose the Pool Format
On the contest setup page:
Locate the field to enter your Contest Name
Directly beneath it, you’ll see the Pool Format field
The default selection is 64-Team Bracket
Most commissioners will want to keep this default setting.
Available Pool Formats
64-Team Bracket (Default)
This format includes the entire tournament, starting from the Round of 64.
Covers all rounds from the opening games through the championship
Provides the full bracket experience
Offers the most strategic depth and scoring opportunities
✅ Recommended for most contests
Choose this option if:
Your pool starts before the tournament begins
You want the traditional bracket experience
Participants will fill out a complete bracket
Sweet 16 Only
This format starts the contest at the Sweet 16 round and includes only the remaining teams.
Smaller bracket with fewer games
Faster contest completion
Ideal for late-start pools
Choose this option if:
Your pool begins after the tournament has already started
You want a shorter or simpler contest
You prefer to focus on the final rounds
Which Format Should You Choose?
Use 64-Team Bracket if you want:
The full March Madness experience
Maximum engagement and strategy
A traditional bracket pool
Use Sweet 16 Only if you want:
A mid-tournament start
A smaller, quicker contest
A simplified bracket
Selecting the right pool format ensures your contest matches your timeline and your group’s preferences. If you’re unsure which option is best, the default 64-Team Bracket is the safest choice for most pools.