2025 Fall CTA Playoff Format
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Divisional Playoffs
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Most divisions will hold playoffs the week after the final regular-season match, on the division’s regular day of play.
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Captains will be notified of their division’s playoff date once the season begins.
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Very small divisions, where teams have already played each other multiple times, may not hold playoffs.
Qualification
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Divisions with nine teams or fewer: Top 2 teams advance to playoffs.
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Divisions with 10 or more teams: Top 4 teams advance.
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Two flight divisions: The Top 2 teams from each flight advance.
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Three-flight divisions: Top team from each flight plus one 2nd-place team advance.
Determining the Best 2nd Place Team (3-Flight Divisions)
The best 2nd-place team is selected in the following order:
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Head-to-head (if applicable )
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Fewest team matches lost. (A tie counts as a 1/2 of a loss)
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Fewest individual matches lost (percentage).
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Fewest individual sets lost (percentage).
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Fewest individual games lost (percentage).
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If still tied, a random drawing will determine the qualifier.
Replacement Teams
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If a qualified team cannot participate, the next-best team by record may be invited to fill the playoff spot.
Playoff Matches
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Scheduling: Playoffs are held on the same day of the week as regular-season matches and are completed in one day.
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Match Format: Teams field the same number of positions as during the regular season.
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Court Availability: If the host club does not have enough courts, the number of positions may be reduced.
Player Eligibility
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Only rostered players are eligible.
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Each player must have competed in at least one regular-season match to participate in the playoffs.
Match Formats
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Two-Team Playoff: Standard two-set match with a 10-point Coman Super Tiebreak (win by 2) played in place of a third set, if needed.
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Four-Team Playoff:
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Two rounds of eight-game pro-sets (first to 8, win by 2).
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At 7–7, a 7-point Coman Tiebreak decides the set.
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Round 1
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One Flight (single division): #1 seed vs. #4 seed, #2 seed vs. #3 seed.
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Two Flights: #1 Blue Flight vs. #2 Red Flight, and #1 Red Flight vs. #2 Blue Flight.
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Three or More Flights: Seeds determined by regular-season tie-break rules.
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#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3.
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If still tied, seeds are determined by random draw.
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Round 2
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Winners play for first place (Playoff Champion).
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Losers play for third place.
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Captains may use different rostered players in the second round.
Playoff Tie-Break Procedure
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If overall courts won are tied (e.g., 1–1 or 2–2), rankings are determined in order:
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Fewest individual sets lost.
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Fewest individual games lost.
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If still tied:
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Numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, or 1, 2) are placed into a hat.
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An impartial party draws one number.
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The doubles pair from that position on each team plays a 7-point Coman Tiebreak (win by 2) to decide the playoff winner.
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Costs & Provisions
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Cost: No additional league fees for playoff participation.
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Balls: Supplied by the League.
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Refreshments: The host club will receive a league subsidy to help cover costs:
Courts Teams Funding
2 courts 2 teams $50
2 courts 4 teams $100
3 courts 2 teams $75
3 courts 4 teams $150
4 courts 2 teams $100
4 courts 4 teams $200
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Playoff Locations & Hosting
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The highest seed hosts the playoffs at their home club at a time that works best for their facility.
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Final match times and locations are posted online once regular-season results are entered.
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Host Club Responsibilities: Run playoff operations, with the League Coordinator providing lineups, score sheets, balls, and awards.
Additional Notes
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Playoff Pictures: Team photos will be taken by the host club or League Coordinator.
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Awards: Playoff winners in each division will receive a team award. If the playoffs are canceled, no awards will be issued.