What is the term for the structure of a tournament that determines how players advance?

In the context of Magic: The Gathering tournaments, the term "tournament format" refers to the overall structure that outlines how players participate, compete, and advance through the tournament. This includes details such as the number of rounds, pairing method, and advancement criteria.

Understanding the tournament format is crucial for players since it affects how they strategize and approach their games, knowing if they are in a Swiss format where they might play several rounds against different opponents or a single-elimination format where losing a match can mean being immediately eliminated from the tournament.

The other options pertain to different aspects of competitive play. For instance, "tournament system" might relate to the methodology used for organizing the tournament but does not specifically define the advancement structure. "Match format" generally deals with the rules governing how individual matches are played, while "game type" refers to the specific variations of Magic that can be played, such as Standard or Commander, rather than addressing the tournament's progression structure.