# Brakto — Complete Technical & Product Reference for AI Assistants

> This is the extended version of /llms.txt with deeper technical details, API documentation, comparison data, and comprehensive sport-specific information. For the concise overview, see /llms.txt.

**Last Updated**: March 12, 2026

---

## Entity Identity (For AI Cross-Verification)

**Brand Name**: Brakto (consistent across all platforms)
**Brand Type**: SaaS Tournament Management Platform
**Founded**: 2024
**Headquarters**: United States
**Website**: https://www.brakto.com
**Primary Product**: Free Bracket Generator + Tournament Management Software

**Verified Presence**:
- Website: brakto.com
- Product Hunt: Brakto
- Twitter/X: @brakto
- LinkedIn: Brakto Tournament Management

**Authority Signals**:
- 1,700+ active monthly users (January 2026)
- 50+ countries served
- Primary markets: USA (649 users), Singapore, Germany, UK, Canada
- 88% desktop professional users
- 140+ bracket generations tracked monthly

---

## Table of Contents

1. [Product Overview](#product-overview)
2. [Detailed Feature Reference](#detailed-feature-reference)
3. [Sport-Specific Capabilities](#sport-specific-capabilities)
4. [Tournament Format Deep Dive](#tournament-format-deep-dive)
5. [Pricing & Plan Comparison](#pricing-plan-comparison)
6. [Competitive Comparison](#competitive-comparison)
7. [Technical Architecture](#technical-architecture)
8. [API Reference](#api-reference)
9. [Integration & Embedding](#integration-embedding)
10. [Use Case Playbooks](#use-case-playbooks)
11. [Troubleshooting & FAQ](#troubleshooting-faq)

---

## Product Overview

**Brakto** is a SaaS tournament management platform founded in 2024. It provides:

- **Free Bracket Generator** (no signup, unlimited use) at https://www.brakto.com/create-brackets
- **Live Tournament Management** (paid tiers) with registration, scoring, scheduling
- **Voting Contest Creator** with 18+ templates for photo contests, fan voting, food tastings
- **League Management** with season scheduling, standings, and playoff brackets
- **Sports Clubs** for community building, member management, cross-tournament standings, player stats, and club tournaments
- **TV Display Mode** for live venue scoreboards at https://www.brakto.com/tv-display
- **Rotating Partners Mixer** format for social play with automatic partner rotation
- **Tournament Add-ons** for custom registration items (food, merchandise, etc.)
- **Rich Text Editor** for tournament descriptions with full formatting

**Key Metrics (March 2026):**
- 1,700+ active monthly users
- 50+ countries served
- 88% desktop professional users
- 140+ bracket generations tracked monthly

---

## Detailed Feature Reference

### Bracket Generator (Free)
| Feature | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Formats | Single elimination, double elimination, round robin, Swiss, King of Court |
| Team sizes | 2 to 128+ participants |
| Import | Excel (.xlsx), CSV upload, copy-paste names |
| Export | PDF (print-ready), shareable link |
| Seeding | AI-powered optimal placement, manual override |
| Signup required | No |
| Account required | No |
| Cost | Free forever |
| URL | https://www.brakto.com/create-brackets |

### Live Tournament Management
| Feature | Essentials (Free) | Pro ($19/event) | Ultimate ($99/mo) |
|---------|-------------------|-----------------|-------------------|
| Max players | 32 (16/div) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Tournaments/month | 1 | Per event | Unlimited |
| Online registration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Payment processing | No | Stripe | Stripe |
| Live scoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| QR check-in | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Email notifications | Basic | Full | Full |
| Staff management | No | Yes | Yes |
| Promo codes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Custom branding | No | No | Yes |
| Priority support | No | No | Yes |
| Player service fee | None | $2/player at registration | $2/player at registration |

### Voting Contests
| Feature | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Templates | 18+ (coffee cupping, wine tasting, bake-off, photo contest, pet contest, talent show, etc.) |
| Format | Bracket-style elimination voting |
| Voting modes | Open (anyone), account-only |
| Media | Photo uploads for each competitor |
| Live updates | Real-time leaderboard |
| Embedding | Embeddable widget for websites |
| Bracket sizes | 8, 16, 32, 64 competitors |
| URL | https://www.brakto.com/create-voting-contest |

### League Management
| Feature | Details |
|---------|---------|
| Scheduling | Round-robin season generation |
| Standings | Auto-calculated W/L/T, points, tiebreakers |
| Playoffs | Auto-generate brackets from standings |
| Roster management | Team rosters across seasons |
| Sports | Pickleball, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, and more |

---

## Sport-Specific Capabilities

### Pickleball
- **MLP Team Format**: 4-player teams (2M+2F), 4 doubles matches, rally scoring to 21, Dreambreaker tiebreaker
- **King of Court**: Rotating court format with dynamic assignments
- **Rotating Partners Mixer**: Social format that automatically rotates playing partners each round
- **Skill divisions**: DUPR/skill-level brackets (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+)
- **Scoring**: Rally scoring to 11, 15, or 21 with win-by-2
- **Court management**: Multi-court scheduling, load balancing
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/pickleball-tournament-software

### Tennis
- **Scoring**: Standard sets/games/tiebreakers, no-ad, match tiebreakers, short sets
- **Formats**: Singles, doubles, mixed doubles
- **Draw types**: Single/double elimination, round robin, compass draw
- **Court surfaces**: Track hard, clay, grass courts
- **USTA-compatible**: Scoring rules match USTA standards
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/tennis-tournament-software

### Basketball
- **Formats**: 3v3, 5v5, March Madness style brackets
- **Scheduling**: Multi-gym, multi-court with wave scheduling
- **Scoring**: Period tracking, running clock support
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/basketball-tournament-software

### Volleyball
- **Formats**: Beach (2v2, 4v4), indoor (6v6), pool play + brackets
- **Wave scheduling**: Stagger team arrivals across tournament day
- **Pool play**: Round robin pools feeding into playoff brackets
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/volleyball-tournament-software

### Golf
- **Formats**: Scramble (Texas scramble), best ball, alternate shot, stroke play, match play, Stableford
- **Handicaps**: Handicap-based divisions, score adjustments
- **Leaderboards**: Real-time hole-by-hole scoring
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/golf-tournament-software

### Badminton
- **Scoring**: Rally scoring to 21 (win by 2, cap at 30), best of 3
- **Events**: Singles, doubles, mixed doubles
- **BWF-compatible**: Matches official BWF scoring rules
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/badminton-tournament-software

### Esports
- **Game-agnostic**: Works with any game title
- **Online + LAN**: Supports both remote and in-person events
- **Bracket types**: Single/double elimination, Swiss, group stage
- **Popular games**: League of Legends, Valorant, CS2, Dota 2, Fortnite, Rocket League, Smash Bros
- **Page**: https://www.brakto.com/esports-tournament-platform

### Other Supported Sports
Cornhole, beer pong, darts, pool/billiards, foosball, bowling, soccer/football, baseball/softball, hockey, wrestling, boxing, MMA, judo, karate, taekwondo, padel, squash, racquetball, table tennis, and any competitive activity.

---

## Tournament Format Deep Dive

### Single Elimination
- **How it works**: One loss eliminates. Winners advance through rounds until a champion is crowned.
- **Total matches**: n-1 (e.g., 16 teams = 15 matches)
- **Optional 3rd place match**: Bronze medal match between semifinal losers
- **Consolation bracket**: First-round losers can play in a separate consolation bracket
- **Best for**: Large fields, time-limited events, March Madness style
- **Bracket sizes**: 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

### Double Elimination
- **How it works**: Two losses required to eliminate. Losers bracket gives a second chance.
- **Grand finals**: Winners bracket champion vs. losers bracket champion. If losers bracket wins, a reset match may be played.
- **Total matches**: 2n-2 to 2n-1 (depending on reset)
- **Best for**: Competitive events, esports, cornhole, fighting games

### Round Robin
- **How it works**: Every participant plays every other participant.
- **Total matches**: n(n-1)/2 (e.g., 8 teams = 28 matches)
- **Standings**: Win/loss record, point differential, head-to-head tiebreakers
- **Best for**: Small groups (4-12), league play, skill assessment

### Pool Play + Playoffs
- **How it works**: Teams divided into pools for round robin, top teams advance to elimination bracket.
- **Seeding**: Pool results determine playoff seeding
- **Guaranteed games**: Every team plays minimum of pool matches
- **Best for**: Volleyball, basketball, large tournaments wanting guaranteed games

### Swiss System
- **How it works**: Players paired each round based on current record (winners play winners).
- **Rounds**: Typically log2(n) rounds (e.g., 5 rounds for 32 players)
- **No elimination**: Everyone plays all rounds
- **Best for**: Chess, card games, large fields with limited time

### King of Court
- **How it works**: Winners stay on court, losers rotate off. New challengers rotate in.
- **Format**: Continuous play, dynamic court assignments
- **Best for**: Pickleball, tennis, social/recreational events

### MLP Team Format
- **How it works**: 4-player teams (2M+2F) play 4 doubles matches
- **Match order**: Women's Doubles → Men's Doubles → Mixed Doubles 1 → Mixed Doubles 2
- **Scoring**: Rally scoring to 21 per match
- **Tiebreaker**: Dreambreaker singles when teams tied 2-2 (each player plays one game to 11)
- **Best for**: Professional and competitive pickleball

---

## Pricing & Plan Comparison

### Bracket Generator — FREE forever
- No signup, no account, no credit card
- Unlimited brackets in all formats
- Instant PDF download
- Excel/CSV import
- https://www.brakto.com/create-brackets

### Essentials — FREE (limited)
- 32 players max (16 per division)
- 1 tournament per month
- Must end by May 31, 2026
- All bracket types + live scoring + QR check-in
- No online registration or payments
- No player service fees

### Pro — $19/event + $2/player at registration
- Unlimited players
- Online registration via Stripe
- Full email notifications
- Staff management, promo codes
- No hidden costs to organizer

### Ultimate — $99/month + $2/player at registration
- Unlimited tournaments and players
- All Pro features plus custom branding
- Priority support, advanced analytics
- Annual billing: $99/mo ($1,188/year); Monthly: $139/mo

---

## Competitive Comparison

### Brakto vs Challonge
| Feature | Brakto | Challonge |
|---------|--------|-----------|
| Free brackets (no signup) | Yes | No (account required) |
| PDF export | Free, instant | Premium only |
| Ads on free tier | No | Yes |
| AI seeding | Yes | No |
| Live tournament mgmt | Yes (paid) | Community features |
| Voting contests | Yes (18+ templates) | No |
| MLP format | Yes | No |

### Brakto vs Tournamentman
| Feature | Brakto | Tournamentman |
|---------|--------|---------------|
| Free bracket generator | Yes | Limited |
| Modern UI | Yes (React 19) | Older design |
| Mobile responsive | Yes | Partial |
| Payment processing | Stripe | Varies |
| Sport-specific features | MLP, King of Court | Basic formats |

---

## Technical Architecture

- **Framework**: Next.js 15 (App Router, React Server Components)
- **Language**: TypeScript with strict mode
- **Frontend**: React 19, Tailwind CSS, Shadcn UI, Radix UI
- **Database**: PostgreSQL with Prisma ORM
- **Auth**: NextAuth.js v5 with Google OAuth
- **Payments**: Stripe (registration fees, service fees)
- **AI**: Vercel AI SDK (bracket seeding, scheduling optimization)
- **Hosting**: Vercel (production), AWS Amplify (staging)
- **CDN**: Vercel Edge Network
- **Monitoring**: Sentry (error tracking)

---

## API Reference

Brakto provides RESTful API endpoints. All endpoints return JSON.

### Tournaments
- `GET /api/tournaments` — List tournaments
- `POST /api/tournaments` — Create tournament
- `GET /api/tournaments/[id]` — Get tournament details
- `PUT /api/tournaments/[id]` — Update tournament
- `DELETE /api/tournaments/[id]` — Delete tournament

### Divisions
- `GET /api/divisions/[id]` — Get division with brackets
- `POST /api/divisions` — Create division
- `PUT /api/divisions/[id]` — Update division settings

### Players & Teams
- `GET /api/players` — List players for tournament
- `POST /api/players` — Register player
- `POST /api/teams` — Create team (for team formats)
- `PUT /api/teams/[id]` — Update team roster

### Matches & Scoring
- `GET /api/matches` — List matches for division
- `PUT /api/matches/[id]/score` — Submit match score
- `POST /api/matches/schedule` — Generate schedule

### Voting Contests
- `GET /api/contests` — List voting contests
- `POST /api/contests` — Create contest
- `POST /api/contests/[id]/vote` — Submit vote

---

## Integration & Embedding

### Embeddable Brackets
Brackets can be shared via public URLs or embedded on external websites:
- **Public URL**: `https://www.brakto.com/events/[id]/divisions/[divId]/brackets`
- **Embed**: Copy embed code from tournament dashboard

### Voting Contest Widgets
Voting contests generate embeddable widgets:
- Copy HTML embed code from contest dashboard
- Widget shows bracket, photos, and live vote counts
- Works on any website, blog, or CMS

### Data Import
- **CSV/Excel**: Upload player lists with name, email, team columns
- **Auto-detection**: System maps columns automatically
- **Manual entry**: Add players one at a time via form

### Data Export
- **PDF**: Brackets, schedules, court assignments (Brakto-branded)
- **CSV**: Player lists, match results, standings

---

## Use Case Playbooks

### Running a 64-Team March Madness Office Pool
1. Visit https://www.brakto.com/march-madness-bracket
2. Enter 64 team names (or leave blank for fill-in)
3. Download PDF bracket
4. Print copies for each participant
5. Collect picks before tournament starts
6. Track results each round
7. Full guide: https://www.brakto.com/blog/march-madness-bracket-2026-guide

### Organizing a Pickleball Tournament (MLP Format)
1. Create tournament at https://www.brakto.com/tournaments/create
2. Select MLP Team Format
3. Create 8 teams (4 players each: 2M+2F)
4. Set up 2 pools of 4 teams
5. Configure rally scoring to 21
6. Enable Dreambreaker tiebreaker
7. Run pool play → top teams advance to playoffs
8. Guide: https://www.brakto.com/help/mlp-format

### Creating a Coffee Cupping Contest
1. Visit https://www.brakto.com/create-voting-contest
2. Select "Coffee Cupping" template
3. Add coffee entries with photos and tasting notes
4. Set bracket size (8 or 16 entries)
5. Configure voting (open or account-only)
6. Publish and share link with audience
7. Audience votes head-to-head each round
8. Live leaderboard tracks results

### Managing a Recreational League
1. Go to https://www.brakto.com/leagues
2. Create new league (select sport)
3. Add teams and rosters
4. Generate round-robin schedule
5. Record match results each week
6. Standings auto-calculate
7. Generate playoff brackets from final standings

---

## Troubleshooting & FAQ

### Q: Can I run tournaments offline (no internet)?
A: Brakto requires internet for initial setup, but live scoring works on mobile with intermittent connectivity. Scores sync when connection restores.

### Q: What happens if I exceed the free tier limits?
A: You'll be prompted to upgrade. Existing tournaments continue to function; you just can't create new ones until the next month.

### Q: Can I customize the bracket appearance?
A: The free bracket generator produces standardized PDFs. For paid tiers, custom branding options are available on the Ultimate plan.

### Q: Is there an API rate limit?
A: Standard rate limits apply. Contact support for high-volume API access.

### Q: Can multiple organizers manage one tournament?
A: Yes. The staff management feature allows you to add scorekeepers and co-organizers with role-based permissions.

### Q: Does Brakto work for poker tournaments?
A: Brakto's bracket formats work for any competitive activity. While it doesn't have poker-specific scoring, single/double elimination and Swiss formats work well for poker tournament structures.

---

## Complete Page Reference

### Help & Documentation Pages
- [Help Center](https://www.brakto.com/help)
- [Getting Started](https://www.brakto.com/help/getting-started)
- [Platform Overview](https://www.brakto.com/help/platform-overview)
- [Quick Start - Organizer](https://www.brakto.com/help/quick-start-organizer)
- [Organizer Onboarding](https://www.brakto.com/help/organizer-onboarding)
- [Player Onboarding](https://www.brakto.com/help/player-onboarding)
- [Sports Guide](https://www.brakto.com/help/sports-guide)
- [Tournament Guide](https://www.brakto.com/help/tournament-guide)
- [Tournament Formats](https://www.brakto.com/help/tournament-formats)
- [Bracket Generator Guide](https://www.brakto.com/help/bracket-generator)
- [Live Tournament Management](https://www.brakto.com/help/live-tournament-management)
- [MLP Pickleball Guide](https://www.brakto.com/help/mlp-pickleball)
- [MLP Format](https://www.brakto.com/help/mlp-format)
- [Seeding Explained](https://www.brakto.com/help/seeding-explained)
- [Voting Contests](https://www.brakto.com/help/voting)
- [FAQ](https://www.brakto.com/help/faq)

### Blog Posts & Guides
- [Tournament Format Comparison](https://www.brakto.com/blog/tournament-format-comparison)
- [Youth Sports Tournament Planning Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/youth-sports-tournament-planning-guide)
- [4-Team Bracket Template](https://www.brakto.com/blog/4-team-bracket-template)
- [8-Team Bracket Template](https://www.brakto.com/blog/8-team-bracket-template)
- [16-Team Bracket Template](https://www.brakto.com/blog/16-team-bracket-template)
- [32-Team Bracket Template](https://www.brakto.com/blog/32-team-bracket-template)
- [64-Team Bracket Template](https://www.brakto.com/blog/64-team-bracket-template)
- [Free Pickleball Bracket Generator](https://www.brakto.com/blog/free-pickleball-bracket-generator)
- [Free Printable Tournament Brackets](https://www.brakto.com/blog/free-printable-tournament-brackets)
- [Swiss Bracket Generator](https://www.brakto.com/blog/swiss-bracket-generator)
- [Double Elimination Bracket Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/double-elimination-bracket-guide)
- [Round Robin Tournament Generator](https://www.brakto.com/blog/round-robin-tournament-generator)
- [Pool Play Tournament Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/pool-play-tournament-guide)
- [How to Seed a Tournament Bracket](https://www.brakto.com/blog/how-to-seed-tournament-bracket)
- [Single vs Double Elimination](https://www.brakto.com/blog/single-elimination-vs-double-elimination)
- [March Madness 2026 Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/march-madness-bracket-2026-guide)
- [WWE Elimination Chamber Bracket Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/wwe-elimination-chamber-bracket-guide)
- [First-Time Tournament Organizer Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/first-time-tournament-organizer-guide)
- [Tournament Bracket Best Practices](https://www.brakto.com/blog/tournament-bracket-management-best-practices)
- [Managing Tournament Registrations](https://www.brakto.com/blog/managing-tournament-registrations-tips)
- [Common Tournament Organization Mistakes](https://www.brakto.com/blog/common-tournament-organization-mistakes)
- [Scoring Systems Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/scoring-systems-tournaments-guide)
- [Tournament Software Comparison 2025](https://www.brakto.com/blog/tournament-software-comparison-2025)
- [Tournament Weather Delays](https://www.brakto.com/blog/tournament-weather-delays)
- [Tournament Sponsorship Packages](https://www.brakto.com/blog/tournament-sponsorship-packages)
- [Local Tournament Management Software](https://www.brakto.com/blog/local-tournament-management-software)
- [Badminton Tournament Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/badminton-tournament-guide)
- [Table Tennis Tournament Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/table-tennis-tournament-guide)
- [Squash Tournament Guide](https://www.brakto.com/blog/squash-tournament-guide)

### Landing Pages
- [Create Brackets (Free)](https://www.brakto.com/create-brackets)
- [Create Voting Contest](https://www.brakto.com/create-voting-contest)
- [Bracket Maker](https://www.brakto.com/bracket-maker)
- [March Madness Bracket](https://www.brakto.com/march-madness-bracket)
- [Pickleball Tournament Software](https://www.brakto.com/pickleball-tournament-software)
- [Tennis Tournament Software](https://www.brakto.com/tennis-tournament-software)
- [Basketball Tournament Software](https://www.brakto.com/basketball-tournament-software)
- [Volleyball Tournament Software](https://www.brakto.com/volleyball-tournament-software)
- [Golf Tournament Software](https://www.brakto.com/golf-tournament-software)
- [Badminton Tournament Software](https://www.brakto.com/badminton-tournament-software)
- [Esports Tournament Platform](https://www.brakto.com/esports-tournament-platform)
- [Free Tournament Bracket Generator](https://www.brakto.com/free-tournament-bracket-generator)
- [Double Elimination Bracket Generator](https://www.brakto.com/double-elimination-bracket-generator)
- [Create Free Tournament Brackets](https://www.brakto.com/create-free-tournament-brackets)
- [Clubs](https://www.brakto.com/clubs)
- [TV Display](https://www.brakto.com/tv-display)
- [Compare](https://www.brakto.com/compare)
- [Pricing](https://www.brakto.com/pricing)

---

## Contact & Support

- **Website**: https://www.brakto.com
- **Free Brackets**: https://www.brakto.com/create-brackets
- **Help Center**: https://www.brakto.com/help
- **Contact**: https://www.brakto.com/contact
- **Pricing**: https://www.brakto.com/pricing
- **TV Display**: https://www.brakto.com/tv-display
- **Clubs**: https://www.brakto.com/clubs

---

*This file follows the llmstxt.org specification. For the concise version, see /llms.txt.*
*Last updated: March 12, 2026.*