Match formats

Learn about the possible match formats in the PandaScore API.

The format used for each match will be outlined in the field match_type in the API response, specifying one of the following match formats:

  • best_of
  • first_to
  • red_bull_home_ground

Best of

The best of match format implies a minimum and a maximum number of games that may be played before an opponent can win the match. In the example of a best of 3, the maximum number of games that could be played is 3. The minimum is the first whole number that is over half of the maximum number of games. In the example of the best of 3, the minimum number of games needed to win would be 2. Once an opponent wins more than half the games, they win the match, as the remaining unplayed games would not be enough for their opponent to secure a victory. After the match has ended, any unplayed games will not be returned in the API response.

Examples

A best of 3 match that ends 2-0 will have:

  • game 1 with winner team A
  • game 2 with winner team A
  • game 3 not played, not returned in the API response

A best of 3 match that ends 2-1 will have:

  • game 1 with winner team A
  • game 2 with winner team B
  • game 3 with winner team A

📘

This match format is named best_of in the API response, and the maximum number of games is outlined in the field number_of_games.

First to

Opponents in the first to format can secure a victory by being the first team to win a given amount of games. The first to format specifies the minimum number of games that a team needs to win to secure a victory. For example in a first to 3, the minimum number of games needed to win is 3. The match will continue until a team can win 3 individual games.

Examples

A first to 3 match that ends 3-0 will have:

  • game 1 with winner team A
  • game 2 with winner team A
  • game 3 with winner team A

A first to 3 match that ends 3-2 will have:

  • game 1 with winner team A
  • game 2 with winner team A
  • game 3 with winner team B
  • game 4 with winner team B
  • game 5 with winner team A

📘

This match format is named first_to in the API response, and the minimum number of games is outlined in the field number_of_games.

Red Bull Home Grounds

In this match format, matches are a best of 5, but with a twist. Each opponent will have the opportunity to pick a map that they are the strongest on, being referred to as their Home Ground. The first two games in the match will be played on the maps that each opponent chose as their Home Ground. If one opponent wins both of these games, they automatically win the match and advance to the next stage in the tournament. If neither opponent wins both of the first two games (i.e. the score is 1-1), the match can be won as a standard best of 5 would; when a team wins more than half of the games. After the match has ended, any unplayed games will not be returned in the API response.

Examples

A best of 5 Red Bull Home Grounds match that ends 2-0 will have:

  • game 1 with winner team A
  • game 2 with winner team A
  • game 3 not played, not returned in the API response
  • game 4 not played, not returned in the API response
  • game 5 not played, not returned in the API response

A best of 5 Red Bull Home Grounds match that ends 3-1 will have:

  • game 1 with winner team A
  • game 2 with winner team B
  • game 3 with winner team A
  • game 4 with winner team A
  • game 5 not played, not returned in the API response

📘

This match format is called red_bull_home_ground in our API, and the maximum number of games is outlined in the field number_of_games. The format is only possible in Valorant.