playoff games
Championship tournament contests
Playoff games are the elimination contests that follow a sport's regular season, determining which team advances toward a championship.
Unlike regular-season games, playoff games carry higher stakes—one loss can end a team's season.
The term applies across sports: The team hasn't won a playoff game in years.
Playoff games typically draw larger audiences and more intense fan interest than regular-season matchups.
- postseasonChampionship tournament period
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- eliminationAct of removing entirely
- do or dieRequiring total commitment
- sudden deathInstant-win tiebreaker format
bracket · series · overtime · clutch · fourth quarter · semifinals · finals · tournament · wildcard · matchup · home court advantage · underdog · buzzer · rivalry · contender · seeds · best of seven · advance
- Match Typesfriendly matches, knockout rounds, group stage, derby day, local derby
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
- Hot ticketsconcert tickets, Broadway shows, sports finals, music festivals, opening night
- spectaclesfirework display, spectacles, northern lights, show, extravaganzas
- nail-biterscliffhangers, thrillers, photo finishes, buzzer beaters, down to the wire
playoff gamesregular season
Standard competitive period before playoffs
exhibition games · preseason · friendlies · scrimmages · garbage time
playoff gamesscrimmages
Informal team practice matches
friendly matches · exhibition matches · pickup games · casual games
playoff, games, play, game, plays, played, playing, player, players