How to Play Fantasy Playoffs

    Fantasy Playoffs is simple fantasy sports for postseason tournaments. Whether you're playing NFL Playoffs, World Baseball Classic, NBA Playoffs, or MLB Playoffs, the core concept is the same: draft once, compete throughout the tournament, winner takes all.

    🏆 Available Sports

    🏈 NFL Playoffs

    January-February • 14 playoff teams

    Learn more →

    ⚾ World Baseball Classic

    March 2026 • 20 countries

    Learn more →

    🏒 NHL Playoffs

    LIVE • 16 teams • Stanley Cup playoffs

    Learn more →

    🏀 NBA Playoffs

    LIVE • 20 teams including play-in

    Learn more →

    ⚽ FIFA World Cup

    Open for leagues • 48 teams • Starts June 11

    Learn more →

    ⚾ MLB Playoffs

    Coming September 2026 • 12 teams

    Learn more →

    ⚡ Quick Start (2 Minutes)

    1. Create a league and choose your sport
    2. Invite friends with your unique league code
    3. Draft your team once everyone joins
    4. Watch your players score during games
    5. Highest total score wins the league!

    The Core Concept

    Fantasy Playoffs works differently than traditional season-long fantasy:

    ❌ Traditional Fantasy

    • Lasts 16-20 weeks
    • Weekly lineup decisions
    • Player trades and waiver wire
    • Time-consuming management

    ✅ Playoff Fantasy

    • Lasts 2-8 weeks (just playoffs)
    • Draft once, set for tournament
    • No trades or roster moves
    • Simple, casual-friendly

    Perfect for casual fans who love playoff intensity without season-long commitment.

    Step-by-Step Guide

    Step 1: Create Your League

    Click "Create League" and choose your sport. Each sport has its own tournament schedule:

    • NFL Playoffs: January-February, 14 teams compete from Wild Card to Super Bowl
    • World Baseball Classic: March, 20 countries in pool play through championship
    • NBA Playoffs: April-June, 20 teams (including play-in) competing for the championship
    • NHL Playoffs: April-June, 16 teams chasing the Stanley Cup
    • FIFA World Cup: June-July, 48 countries (open for league creation now)
    • MLB Playoffs: October, 12 teams from Wild Card to World Series (coming soon)

    Name your league something fun (like "Champions League" or "Office Bracket Masters") and you'll get a unique join code to share.

    Step 2: Invite Friends

    Share your league code with friends. They can join instantly by:

    • Going to the homepage and clicking "Join League"
    • Entering your unique code
    • Creating a quick account (30 seconds)

    League size varies by sport: NFL works best with 3-5 teams, while WBC supports 6-12 teams due to the larger player pool from 20 countries.

    Step 3: Draft Your Team

    Once everyone joins, the commissioner starts the draft. All sports follow similar principles:

    Universal Draft Rules:

    • Draft your roster - NFL: 10 players, WBC: 12 players
    • One per team/country: Can't draft multiple players from the same team or country
    • Snake draft order: Reverses each round for fairness (1-2-3-4, then 4-3-2-1, repeat)
    • Take your time: No timer - draft strategically at your own pace
    • Puzzle-like strategy: Consider matchups, schedules, and tournament paths

    Sport-specific rules: Some sports have position requirements (like baseball needing pitchers and catchers), while others are flexible. Check your sport's page for details.

    Key Strategy: Draft players from teams/countries expected to advance deep. More games = more scoring opportunities!

    Step 4: Watch Your Players Score

    Once the tournament starts, your players automatically earn points:

    • Live scoring: Points update in real-time during games
    • Check leaderboard: See rankings and scores anytime
    • No lineup changes: Your draft is locked for the entire tournament
    • Elimination impact: When a team/country is eliminated, those players stop scoring

    Check your league during games to see live updates. The leaderboard shows everyone's total points and ranking.

    Step 5: Win Your League

    After the final game of the tournament, whoever has the highest total points wins! Simple as that. No playoffs within your fantasy league, no tiebreakers needed - just pure scoring competition.

    How Scoring Works

    Players earn points based on real stats during tournament games. Scoring varies by sport:

    🏈 NFL Scoring

    Standard fantasy football scoring: yards, touchdowns, receptions, etc.

    View NFL scoring details →

    ⚾ Baseball Scoring (WBC/MLB)

    Pitching stats (outs, Ks, wins) and hitting stats (total bases, RBIs, runs)

    View WBC scoring details →

    🏀 NBA / 🏒 NHL Scoring

    Points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks (NBA) and goals, assists, +/-, PPP, saves (NHL)

    View NBA scoring →

    Each sport uses standard fantasy scoring tailored for playoff competition. Check the sport-specific page for complete scoring breakdowns.

    Winning Strategies

    Target Championship Contenders

    Draft players from teams/countries expected to go far. A player on a team eliminated in Round 1 scores far less than one who makes the finals.

    Balance Your Roster

    Don't overload one position or team. Spread your picks across multiple teams and positions for consistent scoring.

    Respect the Constraint

    The one-per-team rule is what makes playoff fantasy strategic. You can't just stack the best team - you need diversity.

    Know Your Sport

    Basketball scoring differs from football which differs from baseball. Understand what stats matter most for the sport you're playing.

    Draft Early Picks Carefully

    Your first 3-4 picks are crucial. These should be your safest, highest-upside players. Save risky sleepers for later rounds.

    Common Questions

    Can I change my lineup during the tournament?

    No. Your draft is your lineup for the entire tournament. This is the key difference from season-long fantasy - one strategic draft, then you watch your team compete. No weekly lineup decisions or roster management needed.

    What if I miss the draft?

    Drafts stay open until everyone completes their picks. There's no timer, so you can take your time making strategic decisions. Other league members will be notified when it's their turn to pick.

    How long does a draft take?

    Drafts vary based on how strategic your league is. Since there's no timer, some people pick quickly (a few minutes total) while others take their time analyzing matchups. Most leagues finish their draft within a few hours to a day as people make their picks.

    Can I play multiple sports?

    Absolutely! Your account works for all available sports. Play NFL Playoffs in January-February, WBC in March, NBA Playoffs in spring, and MLB Playoffs in October. Same login, different tournaments.

    Can I be in multiple leagues?

    Yes! Create or join as many leagues as you want. Compete in a friends league, family league, and work league all at the same time. No limits.

    Is there a commissioner?

    The person who creates the league is the commissioner. They can start the draft, adjust league settings, and manage the roster if needed.

    Do I need fantasy sports experience?

    Not at all! Playoff fantasy is designed for casual fans. If you watch the games and know some players, you can compete. The simple "draft once, compete all tournament" format makes it accessible for everyone.

    Is it free to play?

    Yes, completely free. No credit card, no hidden fees, no premium tiers. Create unlimited leagues for any sport at zero cost.

    What sports are coming next?

    NBA Playoffs and NHL Playoffs are LIVE now, and FIFA World Cup is open for league creation ahead of its June 11 kickoff. MLB Playoffs launch in September 2026, and NFL Playoffs return in January. One account works across every sport.

    Ready to Play?

    Create your first league in 2 minutes. Choose your sport and start competing.

    Sport-Specific Guides

    For detailed rules, scoring, and strategy for each sport:

    Questions? Email us at [email protected]