> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rivalryze.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rivalryze.com/contests/auto-start-rules.md).

# Auto-Start Rules

How a Contest decides **when to actually begin** depends on three optional settings the host can configure:

* **Minimum participants** — won't start until N players have joined.
* **Maximum participants** — caps the player count.
* **Scheduled start date** — a specific date/time to begin.

The combination of these decides the start behavior. Here are the three patterns.

## Pattern 1: Minimum + duration set (no max)

The Contest starts the moment the minimum participant count is reached.

* The configured duration begins from that moment.
* If the minimum isn't reached by the scheduled start date (if set), the Contest is cancelled and entry fees refunded.

**Example:**

* Min participants: 4
* Duration: 7 days
* Scheduled start: in 3 days

Three players join immediately. On day 2, a fourth joins → the Contest starts and runs for 7 days from that moment.

{% hint style="success" %}
Use this when you want the Contest to launch as soon as there's enough interest, without waiting for a fixed date.
{% endhint %}

## Pattern 2: Maximum participants set

The Contest starts under either condition, whichever comes first:

* The maximum participant count is reached (the Contest is "full").
* The scheduled start date arrives.

**Example:**

* Max participants: 8
* Scheduled start: tomorrow at 8pm

If all 8 spots fill by 5pm today, the Contest starts immediately. If by 8pm tomorrow only 5 players have joined, the Contest still starts (assuming any minimum is met).

{% hint style="success" %}
Use this for Contests where you want a capped, predictable group — like an 8-person tournament.
{% endhint %}

## Pattern 3: Neither min nor max set

The Contest starts at its **scheduled start date**, with whoever has joined.

**Example:**

* Scheduled start: Saturday at noon

Whoever has joined by Saturday at noon is locked in. The Contest starts and runs for its configured duration.

{% hint style="info" %}
If no one (or only the host) has joined by the scheduled start, the Contest is auto-cancelled and any entry fees refunded.
{% endhint %}

## Quick reference

| Min set? | Max set? | Scheduled start? | When it starts                                                                                |
| :------: | :------: | :--------------: | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|     ✅    |     ❌    |         ✅        | When min is reached, before scheduled start. Cancelled if min not reached by scheduled start. |
|     ❌    |     ✅    |         ✅        | When max is reached, OR at scheduled start — whichever first.                                 |
|     ✅    |     ✅    |         ✅        | When max is reached (it's "full"), OR at scheduled start if min is met.                       |
|     ❌    |     ❌    |         ✅        | At scheduled start, with whoever's joined.                                                    |

## Race-style goals are different

For **Bounty** Contests using Hunter modes (Achievement Hunter, Platinum Hunter, Completion Hunter), the Contest can end the moment someone hits the target — or stay open until the end date if the host wants multiple winners. The auto-start rules still control **when** the Contest starts; the Objective Mode controls **when it ends**.

For **Battle** Contests (Points modes, and Collector modes when they launch), the Contest runs for its configured duration and ranks players at the end.

See [Objective Modes](/contests/objective-modes.md) for the full breakdown.

## What players see

* **Before the Contest starts**, the Contest page shows the start condition ("Starts when 4 players have joined" or "Starts Saturday 12pm").
* **The moment it starts**, all joined players get a notification: "Your Contest has started." This is your cue to sync your gaming platform and start playing.
* **If cancelled**, all joined players get a notification and an automatic refund.

## Can the host change these after publishing?

The host can edit minimum, maximum, and scheduled start **before the Contest starts** — useful for tuning if the Contest isn't attracting enough joiners. Once the Contest has started, these are locked.