Seeding
Ranking entrants before a draw so the strongest are kept apart and only meet in later rounds.
Definition
Seeding is the practice of ranking competitors ahead of a tournament, usually from form or an official ranking list, and then placing them in the draw so that the top entrants are spread across the bracket. A "seed" is a ranked entrant, so the number-one seed is expected to be the strongest, and seeding aims to stop the best players meeting in the early rounds.
By separating the favourites, seeding protects the integrity of a draw and tends to save the marquee clashes for the semi-finals and final, while unseeded players fill the remaining slots. Upsets still happen, and a lower seed beating a higher one is one of the recurring storylines of knockout sport.
Where you’ll hear “seeding”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Badminton
A fast indoor racquet sport played with a shuttlecock that rewards agility and touch.
Table Tennis
A fast, low-impact indoor racquet sport that sharpens reflexes and is easy to start.
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
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Positions
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- Centre (netball)The centre is netball’s link between attack and defence, the only player allowed in every third except the two goal circles, and the player who takes the centre pass.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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