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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 Women's 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 Women's Playoff will be held in Canberra in April 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
Canberra Bridge Club, 5-7 Duff Place, Deakin, ACT 2600
• 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 SA, TAS, WA & NT may claim a travel subsidy as outlined below. Players from ACT, VIC, NSW & QLD will not receive a travel subsidy.
| From |
Subsidy |
| Adelaide |
$140 |
| Hobart |
$190 |
| Perth |
$550 |
| Darwin |
$500 |
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
- If Women’s pairs finish in the top three places in the Open Playoff they will be entitled to a place(s) on the Women’s team for the Asia Cup and the next highest finishing Men’s pair(s) will be eligible to join the Men’s Team.
- Teams entering the Asia Cup may be either four or six player teams. Subsidies will only be offered to the top three placed pairs, pursuant to the previous note.
- 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 6 direct entries:
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Up to 3 pairs from 2025 Women’s Australian Team
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Up to 3 pairs from 2026 National Women’s Teams (Summer Festival) winners
- The remainder will be determined using objective criteria, from entries, by a pre-selection panel appointed by the Tournament Committee
Two-stages:
- 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
A minimum of 10 entries will be required.
Entries will open on this website on 25 March and close on 29 March 2026.
• Contacts
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Roy Nixon