Running large repechage events
Updated May 2026
By Roger Aspelin
Repechage adds a second route to the podium — but it also adds complexity. For events with 32 or more athletes, managing repechage alongside the main bracket requires deliberate scheduling, mat assignment logic, and clear communication with athletes.
What makes large repechage events complex
In a 16-person single-elimination bracket, repechage adds at most 4 extra bouts and 1 extra round. Manageable on a single mat with minimal planning. At 64 athletes, the repechage bracket can generate 30+ bouts across 3–4 rounds that must be interleaved with the main bracket — all while athletes are warming up, resting, and recovering.
The core challenge: repechage bouts cannot start until the finalist from the relevant half is known. This creates a hard dependency between the main bracket and the repechage rounds. Mismanage it and you either stall competition or call athletes with insufficient rest.