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• Latest News
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 th Seniors category of the Asia Cup in India (potentially in June with details to be confirmed).
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.
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 - Stage 1 - March 21-22, 2026
MyState Bank Arena
601 Brooker Hwy, Glenorchy TAS 7010
• Venue - Stage 2 - 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.
Eligible players from QLD, ACT, WA & NT may claim a travel subsidy as outlined below. Players from VIC, NSW, SA & TAS will not receive a travel subsidy.
| From |
Subsidy |
| Brisbane |
$170 |
| Canberra |
$190 |
| Perth |
$550 |
| Darwin |
$600 |
Players not qualifying for Stage 2 from any location, may claim reimbursement for a change fee on a flexible flight (a receipt from the airline will be required).
International Representation & Subsidies
The top three pairs will receive one only 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
Maximum 16 pairs with up to 12 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
The balance of the field (at least 4 pairs) will come from the highest contending pairs in the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs* at the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge (19-20 March, 2026).
* Pairs entering the Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs must indicate whether they are contending the Seniors' playoff.
- Stage 1 (2 days): Pairs are seeded into 2 fields and play all pairs in the other field
- Stage 2 (3 days): The 10 qualified pairs from Stage 1 play a full round-robin
Entries will open on this website on 19 February and close on 26 February 2026.
• Contacts
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Roy Nixon