championships
Elite competition finals
Championships are contests that determine supremacy in a sport or competition, or the titles won by victors.
A team may compete in the championships (the event) or win the championship (the distinction): The Lakers won three consecutive championships.
Championship as an adjective describes the highest competitive level: championship round, championship game.
Support or category
- seedingsPreliminary competition rankings
- qualifiersWords limiting scope
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
- knockoutIncapacitating final blow
semifinals · finals · draw · fixtures · playoffs · heats · bye · tiebreaker
Resounding, celebrated victory
- gloryExalted honor and praise
- trophyAward for winning
- medalMetal honor token
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
laurels · celebration · jubilation · conquest · achievement · podium · gold · silver
Superior select group
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- world-classOf highest international standard
- premierFirst in importance
grandeur · excellence · distinction · eminence · storied · legendary · hall of fame · illustrious
Ongoing contest between opponents
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
matchups · title fight · grudge match · rematch · upset · Cinderella story · dark horse · challenger
Honorable conduct in games
- respectRegard with honor
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- integrityMoral soundness and consistency
- handshakeMutual palm-gripping gesture
teamwork · camaraderie · grace · humility · dignity · graciousness · magnanimity · good conduct
bracket
Support or category
- seedingsPreliminary competition rankings
- qualifiersWords limiting scope
- roundsAmmunition or bout divisions
knockout · semifinals · finals · draw · fixtures · playoffs · heats · bye · tiebreaker · wildcard
triumph
Resounding, celebrated victory
crown · laurels · celebration · jubilation · conquest · achievement · podium · gold · silver · bronze
elite
Superior select group
- pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- world-classOf highest international standard
premier · grandeur · excellence · distinction · eminence · storied · legendary · hall of fame · illustrious · crowning achievement
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
face-off · matchups · title fight · grudge match · rematch · upset · Cinderella story · dark horse · challenger · powerhouse
fair play
Honorable conduct in games
handshake · teamwork · camaraderie · grace · humility · dignity · graciousness · magnanimity · good conduct · class
- college sportscollege athletics, college basketball, college football, college baseball, NCAA
- motorsportsracing, race, race tracks, Daytona 500, racing teams
- College Athleticsbasketball, football, NCAA, baseball, Division II
- track meetstrack meets, track events, field events, hurdles, relays
- youth footballflag football, tackle football, touch football, pee wee football, junior league
- equestrian clubhorse shows, riding lessons, stables, membership, dressage
championshipsexhibition games
Non-competitive showcase matches
friendlies · scrimmages · preliminary rounds · league play · regular season
championshipsrelegation
Assignment to lower status
last place · cellar dweller · wooden spoon · bottom of the table · defeats
championshipspickup games
Casual unorganized athletic contests
casual play · casual games · intramurals · amateur hour · open gym
- national championshipCountry-level competitive title
- championship ringsJewelry awarded to champions
- world championshipTop-tier international tournament victory
- championship gameContest determining the champion
- championship matchContest deciding the victor
- championship beltAward worn around waist