Set up the format for each age group
Choose a league, a knockout or groups followed by a knockout for each category, set game timings, and set up the knockout stage, before you build the schedule.
Reviewed November 9, 2026 · Verified for d466fd6
Before you start
- Your categories (age groups) already created in Settings, under Structure & Categories
- Most or all of the teams entered, so they can be shared out between the groups
- Owner or co-admin access to the tournament
The short answer
Open Format, pick the category, choose a Structure type and the Timing rules, then select Save changes and Yes, reset structure. Saving rebuilds that category’s divisions and shares its teams out between them. It does not create games, and Playlee refuses it once the category has games, so set the format before you run the Auto Scheduler.
On this page
What you will do
You will decide how each category plays: everyone in one league, a straight knockout, or groups followed by a knockout. You will also set how long games last and the gap between them.
The format sits between your settings and your schedule. Categories, game days and fields are set up in Settings; the games are created later on Schedule with the Auto Scheduler.
Before you start
- Each category saves on its own. If you have more than one, a tab for each appears across the top of the page.
- Saving deletes the category’s current divisions and creates new ones: one division for a league or knockout, or Group A, Group B and so on. Teams are kept and shared out between the new groups in turn, so any group placings you made by hand are replaced.
- Saving does not create games. Once a category has any games, Playlee refuses to rebuild its format, so finish this page before you run the Auto Scheduler.
- The knockout settings, including plate and shield competitions, appear only when you choose Groups + knockout.
How to do it
- 1
Open Format and pick the category
In the sidebar, select Format. If you have more than one category, choose its tab. To add, rename or remove categories, select Manage categories, which opens Settings.
- 2
Choose the structure
Under Configuration, open Structure type and choose League (round robin), Knockout (bracket) or Groups + knockout. For groups, set the Number of groups: the line underneath shows roughly how many teams each group will have.
- 3
Set the game timings
Under Timing rules, set Duration (mins) for each game and Buffer (mins) for the gap before the next game on the same field. These are the same game length and changeover as the category in Settings.
- 4
Check the preview and save
The Live preview shows the groups and the shape of the knockout. It is only a guide: teams are shown in alphabetical order, but when you save they are shared out in turn and can land in different groups. Select Save changes, read the warning, then select Yes, reset structure.
Good to know: The warning says existing games will be deleted. In practice Playlee refuses the save if the category already has games, so nothing played or scheduled is lost. - 5
Set up the knockout stage
For Groups + knockout, use Knockout settings further down: choose Teams advancing per group and Bracket matchups, and switch on 3rd place match, Seed by standings, Plate competition or Shield competition if you want them. Select Save settings.
- 6
Generate the bracket when the groups finish
Once the group games are played, select Generate bracket and confirm. Playlee creates the knockout games from the group tables and locks the bracket. Place the new games on Schedule, then follow them from the Matchday Centre.
Good to know: To change a bracket, select Unlock bracket and generate it again. Playlee refuses if any knockout game is locked, under way or has a result.
Check you are ready
- Every category has the structure you want, saved, and no Unsaved changes badge is showing.
- Each group has a sensible number of teams. Check who is in which group on the Teams page before scheduling.
- Game length and buffer suit the age group and the hours of each game day.
- For Groups + knockout, the knockout settings are saved before game day.
If something looks wrong
If something looks wrong
Running the Auto Scheduler again on an existing schedule replaces the unplayed group games; locked, live, finished and knockout games are kept. Playlee saves a copy of the old schedule first. To go back, open the Matchday Centre, expand Recover the schedule before regeneration and select Restore previous schedule. It only works if nothing has changed since: no game, result, referee or setting (teams, divisions, fields or days), and no new game has been played or locked. Only the most recent regeneration can be restored.
Common problems
Playlee says the format cannot be rebuilt after games have been created
That category already has games, so its structure is protected and nothing was changed. You can still adjust the category’s game length and changeover in Settings. If the structure itself has to change, contact support before going further.
Format says no categories were found
Create your age groups first. Select Manage categories and add them under Structure & Categories in Settings, then come back to Format.
Teams ended up in different groups from the preview
The preview sorts teams alphabetically, but saving shares them out in turn in the order they are stored, so the real groups can differ. This page does not let you pick a group for each team, so check the result on the Teams page before you schedule.
Generate bracket is greyed out or refuses
At least two teams must qualify, so check Teams advancing per group. If the bracket is Locked, select Unlock bracket first; Playlee still refuses while any knockout game is under way or has a result.
Restore previous schedule says recovery is blocked
Something changed after the schedule was regenerated, such as a moved game, an entered result or an edited setting. Playlee blocks the restore to protect that change. Fix the schedule on Schedule instead.