This format combines bidding elements from a live auction with the ability to choose any player as in a turn-based draft. Unlike a classic live auction, teams are not bidding for a specific player but rather for the next draft pick. When time expires the high bidder is immediately on the clock to make a selection from the draft pool of eligible players.
There is no draft order to follow and no player nominations - this draft format is all about finding the right deal at the right time to acquire the players you desire.
If you've ever seen an auction in a movie or in real life, this draft format works in a similar fashion with teams frantically bidding against each other to claim the highest bid before the timer expires.
When a nominated player comes up for auction, the team who nominated them automatically claims the opening bid. Then the timer starts and bidding commences without regard for any turn or sequence; it is a free-for-all, it is chaotic, and it is awesome.
If you've ever watched poker on TV, you have an idea of how this turn-based auction draft format works.
Following the draft order, teams take turns bidding on the active player. On each turn, a team owner can raise the current bid and become the high bidder or else fold. Once folded, a team cannot bid on the active player anymore.
Bidding continues until only one team hasn't folded, at which point they win the auction and the active player is added to their roster.
If you've ever been in a league that uses FAAB money instead of waiver priority for free agency, this draft format works in a similar fashion.
In the Silent Auction (aka Blind Bid), every team submits a private bid for each player that no one else can see. To pass on a player, a team can submit a $0 bid.
When every team locks in a bid, the timer will skip ahead to the end, making this one of the fastest auction drafts you'll ever experience.
Unless this is your first year playing fantasy sports, you're probably familiar with how turn-based draft formats work. Each team takes turns choosing a player to add to their roster; it's simple and that's why it's popular.
The Drafty platform supports straight drafts, which we call Round Robin format, and the Classic Snake Draft format. The only difference is turn sequence: in a straight draft the draft order repeats itself every round and in a snake format it reverses each round.
The commissioner has total control over the draft process with the ability to change the time limit, rewind the draft, facilitate trades, vacate draft picks, and more.
Use mock drafts as your training grounds to fully understand the features and settings, and to get over the learning curve of the Drafty platform. Mock draft results cannot be saved.
Invite your mates to practice with you for helpful dialogue and to ensure compatibility with your draft day requirements. Share the draft room URL with participants to invite them. Commish can assign users to teams via the Commish Toolbox, and only after they load the draft room for the first time.
Set a universal budget and roster size for all teams and use Drafty's built-in player list (for supported leagues) or upload your own.
Get the standard draft room with more control over team-specific settings, and added support for in-draft trades and team co-owners.
Enjoy all the awesome features of a basic draft, but with added flexibility:
You need to setup your clubhouse before proceeding and use the commish menu there to create your draft room.
Once you open your clubhouse, you'll be able to:
Open a clubhouse
Once in-draft, use your Commish Toolbox to rename teams and with an advanced or clubhouse draft you can also adjust individual team budgets.
Look for even more settings in-draft, like Bid Reset Buffer Time More Time Plz Fast-Forward and more!
Use the following controls to configure starting lineups and positional limits. If uploading a custom player list, you'll want to review the position labels in your CSV file to make sure they match the individual positions seen here.
Look for even more settings in-draft, like Queue Undo and Player Drop!
Look for even more settings in-draft, like Max Bid Rule Stewardship Rule Tiebreaker Rule Flash Bid Match Bid and more!
Select a WNBA player list:
To see the full player list before you start, check out our player rankings with the All filter:
Preview All player list Will open a new browser tab. List last updated on 18 May 2024.
Instructions Template
New! Include profile data when using a custom player list.
Your draft room will color-code positions:
Your draft room will import logos for these team names:
ATL Atlanta Dream CHI Chicago Sky CONN Connecticut Sun DAL Dallas Wings IND Indiana Fever LV Las Vegas Aces LA Los Angeles Sparks MIN Minnesota Lynx NY New York Liberty PHX Phoenix Mercury SEA Seattle Storm WSH Washington Mystics
You can use other team and position labels, they will just appear grey and without a logo.
A snapshot of assets found in your file will appear here. Review these for accuracy, then edit and re-upload your file as needed to fix issues.
Beta Please try a mock draft to ensure compatibility with your expectations.
Dual Format is designed to switch between draft formats one time during your draft. Some examples:
Learn more about dual format drafts
👀 Look for this upgrade in-draft under Draft Settings.
Coming soon to Beta
Imagine draft participants armed with a small arsenal of items that they can use to annoy and assist each other during your draft. Bring a bundle of laughs into your draft room like you've never seen.
Support our development efforts by purchasing this package in-draft and get a free draft room when this bundle is released, plus an invitation to participate in the private beta!
Learn more about mayhem drafts
Decide what devices to equip. Each team in your draft will be able to inflict mayhem on each other using the selected devices.
What would you find amusing in this type of addon bundle? Join us on Discord or tell us on social media with hashtag #mayhemdraft and tag us @DraftySports.
Enhance your office pool or live stream with a custom look for your online draft room. Put your league or company logo front and center during your draft with this custom branding package which includes top center logo placement and two large banner images.
Learn more about draft room branding
Hire a professional emcee to facilitate your draft and commentate on all the draft day shenanigans. Your facilitator is an expert with the Drafty platform and will make sure everybody gets seated, prepared, and ready to rock n' roll from start-to-finish.
Setup your own draft room and Zoom call but let us do the dirty work and make sure the actual draft runs smoothly.
Live facilitation is subject to availability based on your draft date and time. If scheduling doesn't work out, you'll have the option of refunding either the entire draft room or just the facilitator fee.
👀 Open a mock draft and use the Help Panel to request an emcee, noting the date/time of your upcoming draft.
Register on Drafty for free. Your unique login credentials control your draft room permissions as a participant and/or draft host.
Already registered? Login
We are working to make this new help panel a robust and relevant spot to handle your support questions. Whether you're in a draft room, on a blog article, or on our front page, this panel will [eventually] be where you find all the most relevant resources to meet your needs.
Need more help? Use the form below to contact customer service.