Noun
group stage (plural group stages)
(sports) the stage of a competition where teams in the same group play each other, usually before the knockout stage.
Each group played a single round-robin cycle, where the top two teams from each group advanced to the Group stage. Source: Internet
In the 2008–09 season, Anorthosis Famagusta FC was the first Cypriot team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Group stage. Source: Internet
Waveney Light Opera Group stage My Fair Lady at Beccles Public Hall this April. Source: Internet
Stage of elimination: Group stage - third in Group E ( Source: Internet