Replay (sports)

This article describes a replay competition. It is not to be confused with instant replay, the videotape review process.

In sports, a replay (also known as a rematch or a do-over, depending on the context) refers to a second game between two teams after the first game's results were either nullified or ended in a draw. A game may be nullified if the game's result is protested (usually the losing team) and the organizers ruled to replay the game (thereby upholding the protest). If the game is nullified, the results of the first game may be discarded.

Full replays are extremely rare in most sports; most sports organizations have provisions that either allow ties to stand or mandate they be broken within the game with overtime. Among organizations that have a replay system are the AFL Grand Final, some forms of association football, and Nippon Professional Baseball. In all cases, the replay system is only used in playoff tournaments, when a winner must be decided.

Notable replayed games

• The 1919 New York Pro Football League championship between the Buffalo Prospects and Rochester Jeffersons ended with Buffalo winning 20-0; the original match had ended in a scoreless tie.
• The 1932 NFL Playoff Game can be seen as a replay, since the two teams had tied earlier in the year and the extra game was needed to decide the league championship.
• The UEFA Euro 1968 Final between Italy and Yugoslavia ended 2-0; the original match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
• The 51st National High School Baseball Championship Game (Japan) between Matsuyama Shogyo and Misawa ended 4-2; the original match was declared a 0-0 draw after 18 innings.
• The 1974 European Cup Final between FC Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid ended 4-0; the original match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
• The 1991 UAAP Basketball Championship between the De La Salle Green Archers and the FEU Tamaraws was ordered into a replay after it was discovered that a La Salle player that fouled out re-entered the game. La Salle did not show up at the replay and FEU was awarded with the championship.
• The 1993 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday ended 2-1 after extra time; the original match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
• The 88th National High School Baseball Championship Game (Japan) between Waseda Jitsugyo and Komadai Tomakomai ended 4-3; the original match was declared a 1-1 draw after 15 innings.
• The 1948 VFL Grand Final between Essendon and Melbourne was drawn 10.9 69 to 7.27 69, and the replay was comfortably won by Melbourne 13.11 89 to 7.8 50.
• The 1977 VFL Grand Final between Collingwood and North Melbourne ended in a 10.16 76 to 9.22 76 draw, and was replayed the following week, with North Melbourne taking the Premiership 21.15 151 to 19.10 124.
• The 2010 AFL Grand Final between Collingwood and St Kilda ended in a 9.14 68 to 10.8 68 draw, and was replayed the following week, with Collingwood taking the Premiership by winning 16.12 108 to 7.10 52.