Pros and Cons
The double-elimination format has some advantages over the single-elimination format, most notably the fact that third and fourth places can be determined without the use of a consolation or "classification" match involving two contestants who have already been eliminated from winning the championship. Additionally, in a double-elimination format better teams are likely to progress further in the tournament. Suppose in a single-elimination tournament the best team plays the second best team in the first round—the second best team will be eliminated right away, having only played one game. Then, a more mediocre team with a more favorable seeding could potentially win several games, play the best team in the finals, and come away with second place. (Usually, good seeding would help avoid this, but it is an issue nonetheless.) A double-elimination tournament would allow the second best team to keep winning (in the loser's bracket) and eventually work their way back up to their rightful position of second place.
Another advantage of the double-elimination format is the fact that all competitors will play at least twice and most will play three games or more. In a single-elimination tournament with no byes, half of the competitors will be eliminated after their first game; this can be disappointing to those who had to travel to the tournament and were only able to play once.
A disadvantage compared to the single-elimination format is that a considerably greater number of matches have to be conducted: since each player has to lose twice and since the tournament ends when only one player remains, in tournament for competitors there will be (or in case the winner was undefeated during the tournament) games; a possible alternative is a single-elimination format where each match is a best-of-5 or best-of-7 series. This format still allows a competitor to lose (perhaps multiple times) while still remaining eligible to win the tournament. Of course, having multiple games in each series also requires considerably more games to be conducted. The fact that the final game in the tournament may be unnecessary is also a disadvantage, particularly if broadcasting and ticket sales companies have an interest in the tournament. Another alternative is a "modified single elimination" format which guarantees at least two games for each participant, but does not guarantee two losses for elimination.
The best-known athletic event that employs a double-elimination format is the NCAA baseball tournament, including the College World Series, where a team is not eliminated until it loses twice in each of the four rounds (regional, super regional, College World Series, and CWS championship, with the super regional and CWS championship series featuring two teams in a best 2-of-3 format). The NCAA softball tournament (including the Women's College World Series) uses the same format.
It is also extensively used in computer gaming tournaments (most famously by the Cyberathlete Professional League) and table football tournaments. Double-elimination brackets are also popular in amateur wrestling of all levels, surfing and kiteboarding freestyle competitions, as well as Curling bonspiels (where triple-elimination is also used), Hardcourt Bike Polo and certain Olympic sports, such as judo. Since 2009, the World Baseball Classic has used a double-elimination format for the first and second rounds of the tournament. The Little League World Series also switched from round-robin to double-elimination formats for each of its pools starting in 2010 in an effort to eliminate meaningless games.
It is also used, in modified form, in the All-Ireland Senior Gaelic Football Championship and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
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