Tournaments can be created both through SplatNet 3 (in the Nintendo Switch Online app) and via a PC or mobile browser at the following URL: https://c.nintendo.com/splatoon3-tournament

Creating a tournament

1. Select Create Tournament.
2. Read and accept the Community Tournament Guidelines, then select Proceed to Tournament Creation.
3. Enter a name for your tournament.
4. Select an icon to represent the tournament.
5. Select a date and time for the tournament to begin.
6. Adjust the starting and ending date and time for the registration window. Default values will be filled in automatically based on the tournament date and time.
7. Select a tournament format.
8. Select a limit for the number of participating teams (up to a maximum of 512).
9. Select the victory conditions (the number of games a team must win per match to advance).
10. Select the mode.
11. Choose between using all stages randomly or select specific stages that will be used.
12. Set separate victory conditions for the semifinal and final rounds of the tournament, if needed.
13. Adjust the following optional settings:
    • Primary Gear Abilities Only: Can bet se to On or Off. When set to On, secondary gear abilities will have no effect in the tournament. Can still be adjusted in-game by a room host.
    • Team Format: The number of players who can play on each team during a battle (1 vs. 1, 2 vs. 2, 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4).
    • Number of Players Per Team: The maximum number of players who can join and play for a single team. Can be set to match the team format or to include up to two reserve players.
    • Invited-Teams Window: Can be used to set aside space for invited teams to participate in the tournament.
    • Special Tournament Rules: Can be set to On or Off. This setting indicates whether additional rules outside of the scope of Tournament Manager will be enforced by the organisers.
14. Select Next once all settings have been configured.
15. Review the selected settings.
16. Select Create Tournament if all settings are correct, or select Back if anything still needs to be adjusted.
17. A unique link will be created that you can copy and use to share the tournament with other players.

For additional guidance on options for handling the tournament, such as adding codirectors, managing participating teams and other topics, please use Tournament Manager Help - Organising a Tournament.

Note: The first player to register a team will automatically be assigned as that team's captain. The steps below are split between the captain and the other players.

Steps for the captain

1. On your smart device, open the link for the tournament. This will open SplatNet 3 within the Nintendo Switch Online app.
2. Review the tournament overview and other related details.
3. Select Enter a Tournament at the bottom, then Enter Tournament.
4. You can either register a new team or select an existing team that you are a member of.

   How to register a new team How to enter an existing team

   1. Enter a team name. You can optionally enter a separate pronunciation for the name.
   2. Select Confirm.
   3. Review the information, then select Enter Tournament.
   4. Invite other players to your team. You can share an invite link or directly invite players who have been on a team with you before.
   1. Select your existing team from the available options.
   2. Review the information, then select Enter Tournament.
   3. If needed, invite other players to your team. You can share an invite link or directly invite players who have been on a team with you before.
5. Once the tournament begins, the captain must Check In for each match through Tournament Manager in SplatNet 3. Confirm that all members on your team are ready to play before checking in for each match. After both teams in a match check in, a Private Battle room will be created by Tournament Manager.
6. Join the Private Battle room for your match.
   • While in the lobby, press the L Button.
   • Navigate to the Friends tab using the L Button or R Button.
   • Select the Tournament Room, press the A Button to join it, then press again to confirm.
7. If your team is higher on the bracket, you will become the room host. As room host, you can confirm or change the room settings if needed, then begin the match after all players (and any spectators) have joined the room.
8. Once the set number of battles are finished, report the results of the match in SplatNet 3.

Steps for team members

1. On your smart device, open the invite link from your team's captain. This will open SplatNet 3 within the Nintendo Switch Online app.
   • Direct invites will appear as notifications in the Nintendo Switch Online app and can be viewed within Tournament Manager.
2. Select Join.
3. Once the tournament begins, your captain will check in for each match. After both teams in a match check in, a Private Battle room will be created by Tournament Manager.
4. Join the Private Battle room for your match.
   • While in the lobby, press the L Button.
   • Navigate to the Friends tab using the L Button or R Button.
   • Select the Tournament Room, press the A Button to join it, then press again to confirm.

For additional guidance on participating in the tournament for captains and other players, please use Tournament Manager Help - For Participants.