Football competitions use a small number of formats. Knowing which one applies explains the fixtures, tables and brackets on each competition page.
League (round robin)
Every team plays every other team, usually twice (home and away). The table after the final round decides the champion, continental places and relegation.
Knockout cup
Teams are drawn against each other and the loser of each tie is eliminated. Ties are one match or two legs; level ties are decided by extra time and penalties, depending on the rules.
Groups followed by knockouts
Used by the World Cup and many continental tournaments: small groups play a round robin, and the best teams of each group advance to a knockout bracket. On this site such competitions show one table per group.
League phase (UEFA competitions since 2024/25)
The Champions League, Europa League and Conference League use a single league phase: each club plays eight different opponents (six in the Conference League) and all clubs are ranked in one table. The top eight qualify for the round of 16; places 9 to 24 play a knockout play-off; the rest are eliminated.
Play-offs
Some leagues decide promotion, relegation or the title with extra matches between teams finishing in set positions.