The Unrivaled League 1-on-1 Tournament is set to make history as one of the most exciting and competitive showcases in women’s basketball.
Scheduled to take place from February 10 to 14, the tournament will bring together 30 elite players in an intense head-to-head battle. With a $350,000 prize pool on the line, the event is expected to deliver thrilling matchups and highlight the individual skills of some of the best athletes in the game.
Unlike traditional five-on-five basketball, this tournament focuses solely on one-on-one play, where individual talent, strategy and endurance will determine the ultimate champion. The competition format, unique rules, and fan-driven seeding process make this a must-watch event for basketball enthusiasts.
Tournament format and key rules
The Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament follows a single-elimination format in the early rounds, with a best-of-three Finals to determine the champion. The competition begins with the First Round on February 10, followed by the Second Round and Quarterfinals on February 11, leading up to the Semifinals and Finals on February 14.
Players are grouped into four pods (A, B, C, and D) based on a combination of performance metrics and fan voting, creating a structured yet dynamic bracket system.
Each game follows a race-to-11 points format, or a maximum of 10 minutes, ensuring fast-paced action. A continuous game clock runs throughout, requiring players to make quick offensive and defensive adjustments.
Additionally, a seven-second shot clock forces rapid decision-making, pushing athletes to display elite skill and efficiency.
A unique aspect of this tournament is the make-it, take-it rule, meaning that the scoring player retains possession after a successful basket.
This creates a high-stakes scenario where a player who finds their rhythm can go on an extended scoring run, making it difficult for the opponent to regain control. Standard scoring rules apply, with two-point field goals worth two points and three-pointers worth three points.
The 30 participants are divided into four competitive pods (A, B, C, and D) to ensure a balanced playing field. Within each pod, players are ranked based on fan voting, determining first-round matchups. Higher-seeded players receive favorable positioning, with the top two seeds in Pods A and D earning a first-round bye and automatically advancing to the Second Round.
Seeding is a crucial factor in the tournament‘s structure, as it determines who faces whom in the early rounds. Fans play an integral role in shaping the competition by voting for their favorite athletes, making this a truly interactive event.
The ability to secure an early bye can provide a significant advantage, allowing top seeds to conserve energy for the later rounds.
Prize money
The tournament boasts an impressive $350,000 prize pool, with payouts structured to reward both individual excellence and team support. The winner takes home a massive $200,000, while the runner-up receives $50,000.
The two semifinalists each earn $25,000, and in a unique twist, clubmates of the champion receive $10,000 each, reinforcing the importance of support within the league’s structure.
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