> 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/what-is-a-contest.md).

# What is a Contest

A **Contest** is a competition between players on RivalRyze. One player hosts it, others join, and prizes are paid when it ends. Two types are live:

* [**Battles**](/contests/battles.md): players compete on one objective, such as earning the most achievement points, being first to 100% a game, or scoring the most in Dota 2, League of Legends or TFT.
* [**Guild Versus Guild**](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md): guilds compete. Each player scores for the guild they represent, and the best guild total wins.

The creation wizard also shows a **Bounty** card, but it can't be selected. See [Bounties](/contests/bounties.md).

## The building blocks

| Piece                  | What it is                                                                                                                         |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Host**               | The player who created the Contest.                                                                                                |
| **Objective Mode**     | What players compete on. See [Objective Modes](/contests/objective-modes.md).                                                      |
| **Games**              | One target game (Hunter modes), the games that count (Points modes), or Dota 2, League of Legends or TFT.                          |
| **Entry fee**          | Gems each player pays to join. It all goes into the prize pool.                                                                    |
| **Prize pool**         | Entry fees, plus the host's Prize Boost and any donations.                                                                         |
| **Prize distribution** | How the pool splits: Winner Takes All, Top 3, Top 5, Equal Top 5 or Participant Count.                                             |
| **Who can join**       | Guild Contest, Public, Invite Only or Password Protected. See [Access Policies](/contests/access-policies.md).                     |
| **Duration**           | Fixed start and end dates, or a lobby that starts when enough players join. See [Auto-Start Rules](/contests/auto-start-rules.md). |

## The lifecycle

```
[ Registration ] → [ Live ] → [ Reviewing ] → [ Completed ]
       ↘ [ Cancelled ] (refunds)
```

1. **Registration.** The host creates the Contest and it's posted to the Contests page and to Discord. Players join and pay the entry fee.
2. **Live.** Progress counts. Players can still join if the host allows late joining.
3. **Reviewing.** After the end date, stats are refreshed for a few hours so late syncs still count.
4. **Completed.** The standings lock and winners claim their prizes. If nobody made progress, the Contest ends with no winner.

A Contest is **cancelled** if the host cancels it before it starts, or if its start date arrives with nobody joined and late joining off. Everyone who paid in is refunded.

## A word on Fair Play

RivalRyze flags PlayStation trophies that [auto-pop](/fair-play/auto-pop-and-fair-play.md) from progress you made on another platform, and leaves them out of Points Battle scores. Points Battles only count progress made during the Contest, and Hunter Battles refuse players who already reached the target.

## What's next

* [Battles](/contests/battles.md)
* [Guild Versus Guild](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md)
* [Objective Modes](/contests/objective-modes.md)
* [Joining a Contest](/contests/joining-a-contest.md)
* [Hosting Your Own Contest](/contests/hosting-a-contest.md)