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• Latest News
Entries have now closed. We have received 8 direct entries. In addition, we will admit the top 2 contending pairs from the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs. This will give us a 10-pair field.
Revised Format
- There will be no Stage 1.
- All entrants will therefore be able to play in the Tasmanian Festival’s TBIB Australian Swiss Pairs on the weekend.
- The Playoff will consist of a single 10-pair Stage 2, to be held Monday through Wednesday.
- There will be a nine-match round robin, with three 20-board matches per day. Screens will be in use.
- We are unlikely to finish before 7.00 pm on Wednesday, so please make travel arrangements accordingly.
Convention Cards must be uploaded before 6.00pm AEDT, Friday, 6 March 2026.
The World Bridge Series 2026 will take place in Katowice, Poland from 20 August to 3 September 2026 at the MCK – International Congress Centre.
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Asia Cup: 1st Circular for the Asia Cup
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Details of the 2026 ABF Playoffs have been posted in the 2026 ABF Playoffs Announcement on the ABF Website.
The ABF is likely to be invited to nominate two teams to participate in the Seniors category of the Asia Cup in Goa, India June 21-27,2026.
In 2026 the WBF will run the World Bridge Series transnational events (Rosenblum Cup, McConnell Cup, Rand Cup and Mixed Teams, as well as the corresponding Pairs events). As they are transnational events the ABF will not be sending national representative teams but will provide travel subsidies to qualifying pairs if they choose to attend the World Bridge Series.
Pairs playing in both the World Bridge Series and the Asia Cup will only receive one subsidy.
The Seniors' Playoff will be held in Hobart in March and will be run in a pairs format.
• Purpose of the Playoffs
The primary purpose of the Playoffs is to select the Australian teams for the next year. By entering a Playoff, all players declare that they are available and intend to represent Australia in any Target Event/s if they qualify.
Participation and performance in the Playoffs are also major criteria in deciding to whom the ABF offers the opportunity to represent Australia in any other (non-target) representative events that may arise in that year.
All players who enter a Playoff must be eligible to play for Australia as per the ABF's Eligibility to represent Australia Policy, and be eligible for any Target Events as per their eligibility codes.
• Venue March 23-25, 2026
Tasmanian Bridge Association
5 Marine Esplanade, New Town TAS 7008
• Fees and Subsidies
Entry Fees
Entry Fees will be collected via My ABF prior to the start of the event.
Travel Subsidies (Opt-In)
To mitigate the difference in air travel costs for players around Australia, the ABF will provide limited travel subsidies for players who live further away from the host cities.
Players from QLD, ACT, WA & NT may claim a travel subsidy when entering as outlined below. Players from VIC, NSW, SA & TAS and players who qualify via the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs will not receive a travel subsidy.
| From |
Subsidy |
| Brisbane |
$170 |
| Canberra |
$190 |
| Perth |
$550 |
| Darwin |
$600 |
International Representation & Subsidies
The top three pairs will receive one and only one travel subsidy if they choose to attend the World Bridge Series AND/OR the Asia Cup.
They must play in the same partnership to be eligible for the subsidy.
- 1st: $3,000 + 1 entry fee
- 2nd: $2,000 + 1 entry fee
- 3rd: $1,000 + 1 entry fee
Additional Notes Regarding Asia Cup Teams
- Australia is likely to be invited to send TWO teams in the Seniors category to the Asia Cup. The ABF will open expressions of interest for the second team as soon as the first team has been ratified. There will be no additional subsidies for Asia Cup representatives beyond those listed above.
- Teams entering the Asia Cup may be either four or six player teams. Subsidies will only be offered to the top three placed pairs.
- If at least two of the top three pairs do not form a team for the Asia Cup, the ABF’s team selection policy for non-target events will apply.
- The ABF will pay entry fees and provide uniforms for all teams sent to the Asia Cup.
- No ABF subsidy will be provided for non-playing captains or coaches.
• Format
10 pairs with 8 direct entries:
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Up to 3 pairs from 2025 Australian Seniors’ Team
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Up to 3 pairs from 2026 National Seniors’ Teams (Summer Festival) winners
- The remainder will be determined using objective criteria, from entries, by a pre-selection panel appointed by the Tournament Committee[1]
The balance of the field will come from the top 2 contending pairs in the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs[2] at the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge (19-20 March, 2026).
[1] Pairs entering directly via option C are required to list any highlights of their partnerships in Australia and overseas in the last five years.
[2] Pairs entering the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs must indicate whether they are contending the Seniors' playoff.
The Playoff will consist of a single 10-pair nine-match round robin, with three 20-board matches per day to be held Monday through Wednesday.
Screens will be in use.
Players must be born before January 1, 1962.
Entries will open on this website on 19 February and close on 26 February 2026.
• Contacts
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Roy Nixon