A framework for a highly constrained sports scheduling problem

Abstract

This paper introduces a framework for a highly constrained sports scheduling problem which is modeled from the requirements of various professional sports leagues. We define a sports scheduling problem, introduce the necessary terminology and detail the constraints of the problem. A set of artificial and real-world instances derived from the actual problems solved for the professional sports league owners are proposed. We publish the best solutions we have found, and invite the sports scheduling community to find solutions to the unsolved instances. We believe that the instances will help researchers to test the value of their solution methods. The instances are available online