Join us in welcoming Nasser Salmasi, Principal Operations Research Scientist at Simple Rose, as he discusses current operations research topics. Alums and friends of the program are always welcome.

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Title and Abstract

Optimal Scheduling Solutions through Constraint Enhancement for Minimizing Breaks in Round Robin Sports Competitions

In this study, we examine the compact single round-robin sports scheduling problem to minimize the number of breaks. Because this goal differs from reducing travel distances or costs, it introduces unique scheduling challenges. Furthermore, we focus on break reduction because consecutive home or away games can create unfair advantages and reduce excitement. By limiting breaks, we aim to ensure fairness, boost fan engagement, and simplify team logistics.

Although the problem is not NP-hard, we use the classical Circle Method to find an optimal break solution. However, this method often yields schedules with poor practical quality due to a high carry-over effect. Moreover, it becomes ineffective when real-world constraints arise. Until now, only one mathematical model has addressed break minimization in general form. Unfortunately, that model struggles with problems involving more than 14 teams.

In contrast, we develop a highly efficient mathematical model that optimally solves instances with up to 30 teams. Additionally, our model addresses common practical constraints commonly found in real-world scheduling scenarios. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we apply it to the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League preliminary round. Remarkably, our model produces a schedule with only four breaks, which improves upon the official schedule’s 62 breaks. Finally, its performance is confirmed by solving several benchmark single-round-robin problems that were previously unsolved in the literature.

Biographies

Nasser Salmasi serves as a principal operations research scientist at SimpleRose, a software development company in the United States. Due to his strong background in operations research, he contributes to solving complex optimization problems across various industries. Previously, he spent eight years as a senior operations research scientist at Corning Incorporated, a company specializing in the manufacture of optical fiber and cable. During that period, he developed advanced models that improved production efficiency and resource allocation.

Before joining Corning, Salmasi worked as an associate professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, Iran. Moreover, he supervised over 50 graduate students and published more than 40 papers in international, peer-reviewed journals. His academic work demonstrated consistent innovation in applied research and quantitative analysis.

Salmasi earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Oregon State University. Additionally, he holds both an MSc and a BSc degree in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. His main research areas include applied operations research, scheduling, and simulation. Through this expertise, he continues to bridge academic theory with industrial application.