# Match Lifecycle<no value>

## Phases
A match in MatchExec is broken down into 5 stages:

**Create > Gather > Assign > Battle > Complete**

The Circle at the top right of each match card shows its current stage. Each 20% of the circle filled is a stage of the match. We will go through each stage as we create and play a match.

## Create
Creating an actual match is covered in its [dedicated page.](/docs/matches/creating-matches/) A match is in the Created phase if it exists, but sign ups are not yet open.

## Gather
The Gather phase is when sign ups open up. The discord event and posts are created and players can click sign up to join the match. You can [assign](/docs/matches/team-assignment/) players to teams from this point until the match starts.

## Assign
When a match enters the Assign phase, players can no longer sign up. The Discord embed is modified to remove the button and add a note that sign ups are closed.

[Assigning players](/docs/matches/team-assignment/) to teams is the main focus of this phase. The match will stay in this phase until the time of the match happens, or someone manually starts the match.

## Battle
The Battle phase is for when the match is happening and players are in game. Discord notifications go out when the match starts and when each map is [scored.](/docs/matches/scoring/)

## Complete
The match has been completed and can now be found on the Match History page.