How to run a tournament for your game server community
Run a free tournament for players on your Minecraft, Rust, ARK or other server: pick an event, set it up, play it on your server, keep players coming.
To run a tournament for your game server community, pick an event your players can play on your own server, create a free tournament on RoundsWon, and share the link where your players already are: your Discord, your website and in game. Players enter with one tap and report their own scores, so you can focus on running the event on the server. A regular tournament gives players a date to log in and a reason to bring friends.
Why game servers should run tournaments
A community server lives on regular players. Tournaments help in a few ways:
- They bring players back on a set date, including ones who drifted off.
- They bring new players in, because entrants invite friends to play or watch.
- They give your server something to post about, on your Discord, your site and server lists.
- They show off your server. A good event is a better ad than a list of features.
Pick an event that fits your game
The best tournament uses what your server already does well.
| Game | Event ideas | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft | PvP duels, build battles, parkour races, Bedwars or Skywars style minigames | Single elimination for duels, leaderboard for parkour times |
| Rust | 1v1 or 2v2 arena fights, aim training scores, a team raid event | Double elimination for arena fights, battle royale lobbies for many teams |
| ARK | Tame races, PvP arena, building contests | Leaderboard or single elimination |
| CS2, Valorant style shooters | 1v1 aim duels, 2v2 or 5v5 matches on your server | Single or double elimination |
| Valheim, Terraria | Boss rush times, arena fights | Leaderboard |
| Survival servers with many players | Last team standing, king of the hill | Battle royale lobbies scored by placement and kills |
For score or time events, a leaderboard is simplest: players play on their own time and send a score with a screenshot or clip link until you end it. See Tournament formats explained.
Set up the server side
Before you create the tournament, get the server ready:
- Make an arena or event world away from the main map, so the event does not wreck anyone's base.
- Set fair rules on the server: same kits, same gear, no outside items. Write them down.
- Test it with a couple of trusted players a few days before.
- Plan how players join the match: a warp, a command, a separate port or a password protected event server.
- Back up your world before the event.
Create the tournament
Open Host a tournament:
- Game: pick your game, or choose "Something else" and type its name.
- Format: the one from the table above.
- Name and date: put your server's name in it, like "Blockhaven PvP Cup".
- Description: the rules, how to join the arena (IP, warp, command or password), and your Discord link. It takes markdown, so lists and headings work.
- Check in: turn it on so players who do not show are left out when you start.
- Ask for their account: for games with a supported account (Steam name, Epic Games name and others), you can require it so you can find each player in game.
If the event is only for your players, choose "Only with the link" and add a password to enter. If you want new players to find you, choose "Everyone" so it is listed on the RoundsWon wall.
Bring new players to your server
If the tournament is public, you can point new entrants at your community. In the Sponsors step, open Other free steps to enter and add Join a Discord with your invite link. You can remove the empty sponsor card if you have no sponsor. RoundsWon can not check that someone joined, but the link is right on the entry form.
You can also add your own server as a sponsor, with its name, logo, website and an offer such as a starter kit for new players. It then shows on the poster, the page and every stream card, and the sponsor report counts the visits.
Run it on the day
- Ping your Discord when check in opens. RoundsWon sends no emails or popups.
- Press Start the tournament when everyone has checked in. The draw is shuffled fairly.
- Players head to the arena, play their match and report the score on the tournament page. When both sides agree, the next round fills in.
- Your staff handle disputes. Add them as admins or scorers by their RoundsWon handle.
- Stream the event from a spectator account with the bracket overlay. See Tournament stream overlays.
If your server or a plugin can tell when a match ends, it can send the result itself through the RoundsWon API, and a webhook can tell your server when the next match is ready.
Show it everywhere
- On your website: embed the live bracket with one line. See Embed a bracket on any website.
- In game: announce matches and winners in chat, and put the tournament link in your server's message of the day.
- On server lists: mention the event in your listing's description while entries are open.
Prizes that suit a server
Server prizes do not need to be cash. A winner's rank or title, a named spot in the world, a statue or a cosmetic usually means more to your players. Check your game's rules before giving anything that changes gameplay. See Tournament prize ideas that are not cash.
Make it a series
One event brings a bump. A monthly cup brings a habit. Keep the same night each month, keep a winners list on your site, and let past champions defend their title.
FAQ
Can I run the tournament matches on my own server?
Yes. RoundsWon runs the bracket, entries and scores. The matches are played wherever you say, which can be your own server. Put how to join in the description.
What if my game is not in the list?
Pick "Something else" and type the game's name. Every format works for any game.
How do I stop players from outside my community entering?
Set the tournament to "Only with the link" and add a password to enter. Share both only in your Discord or in game.
Can my server send results automatically?
Yes, with the RoundsWon API. A plugin or script can send a match result the moment it ends.