What will the total number of matches, if in a league cum knockout tournament of 16 teams which initially played in 4 groups of four, where all teams in a given group play league matches? Top two teams from each group qualify for knockout stage and losing semi‐finalist also play to decide for 3rd and 4th place

Concept:

Tournament types:

• Knockout (single, consolation, and double elimination.)
• League or Round robin (single or double).
• Combination 

1. knock-out cum knock-out.
2. knock-out cum league.
3. league cum knock-out.
4. league cum league.

• Challenge (ladder and pyramid)

Explanation:

• In the given question:
  • Total number of teams= 16
  • And 4 teams in each group
• Therefore total match in the league system for one group:

=n(n-1)/2

=4(4-1)/2=12/2=6

• Thus for 4 groups total matches will be 4 X 6 =24
• Now, from each group, 2 teams reach the knockout rounds
• Thus 8 teams in the knockout.
• Therefore total matches for 8 teams will be, 8-1=7
• And one match will be played for the losing team in the semifinals.
• Thus total matches will be 

                                         =24+7+1

                                         =32

Thus, the total number of matches will be 32.