There could be 24 teams in an age group and 1/2 of the teams will play 4 different teams in a course of a 4 gg .... and then go home... so four (4) games of 70 minute ball and be happy...
Then if you have 5 teams and play a round robin... same thing you play four different teams. Better odds of winning something nice... like hoodies, etc.. Not around the ball park waiting to play.. all weekend...
It's all in the mindset of the coaches.... blah, blah , blah bigger tournament... and then when they think about it... and the fact yes it might have been 24 teams.. but 1/2 of the teams ( 12 teams) play 4 different teams and go home... the same ratio of the smaller event.