The Playoffs for the 2026 year will select three pairs in each of the playing categories of Open, Mixed, Seniors’ and Women’s.

Entries for the Open and Mixed Playoffs will be based on PQPs earned in events listed in the current PQP table on the ABF’s website.

Entries for the Seniors’ and Women’s Playoffs will be based on a set of criteria described in this announcement.

Supported Event(s)

There are no ABF Target Events in 2026.  Hence, it is not mandatory that Playoff participants accept any of the opportunities on offer.

Pairs that finish in the top three places in each Playoff will be offered subsidies to attend the World Bridge Series in Poland (potentially in August with details to be confirmed) AND/OR the Asia Cup in India (potentially in June with details to be confirmed).  If the subsidies are not taken up, they will not flow on to lower placed finishing pairs.

The ABF has been invited to nominate a team to participate in the Men’s[1] and Mixed categories of the Asia Cup and to nominate two teams to participate in the Women’s and Seniors’ categories.

Playoff Dates & Venues

[1] * Note that the Asia Cup, at the direction of the APBF, does not have an Open category
 

Playoff Formats

Open

• Max 16 pairs, based on Open PQPs. A minimum of 10 entries will be required.  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

• Entries open on 24 Nov and close on 22 Dec 2025

Mixed

• Max 16 pairs: up to 14 based on Mixed PQPs
• Balance of field (at least 2 pairs) come from highest contending pairs in the Australian Mixed Swiss Pairs at the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge (19-20 Mar)
• Format mirrors Open Playoff
• Entries open on 19 Feb and close on 26 Feb 2026

Seniors’

• Max 16 pairs: up to 12 direct entries
  1. Up to 3 pairs from 2025 Australian Seniors’ Team
  2. Up to 3 pairs from 2026 National Seniors’ Teams (Summer Festival) winners
  3. The remainder will be determined using objective criteria, from entries, by a pre-selection panel appointed by the Tournament Committee
• Balance of field (at least 4 pairs) from highest contending pairs in Roger Penny Senior Swiss Pairs at the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge (19-20 Mar)
• Format mirrors Open Playoff
• Entries, including nominations from A & B above, open on 19 Feb and close on 26 Feb 2026

Women’s

• Max 16 pairs: up to 6 direct entries.
  1. Up to 3 pairs from 2025 Women’s Australian Team
  2. Up to 3 pairs from 2026 National Women’s Teams (Summer Festival) winners
  3. The remainder will be determined using objective criteria, from entries, by a pre-selection panel appointed by the Tournament Committee
  4. A minimum of 10 entries will be required.
• Format mirrors Open Playoff
• Entries open on 25 Mar and close on 29 Mar 2026

Entry Fees

• $400 per player
• Players not qualifying for Stage 2 may claim reimbursement for a change fee on a flexible flight (a receipt from the airline will be required).

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 attending the Open or Women’s Playoffs in Canberra may claim a travel subsidy as outlined below.  Players from ACT, VIC, NSW & QLD will not receive a travel subsidy.

Eligible players from QLD, ACT, WA & NT attending the Mixed and Seniors Playoffs in Hobart may claim a travel subsidy as outlined below.  Players from VIC, NSW, SA & TAS will not receive a travel subsidy.

Players not qualifying for Stage 2 of any Playoff, 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 in each category will receive a travel subsidy if they choose to attend the World Bridge Series 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 or Mixed Pair(s) finish in the top three places in the Open Playoff they will be entitled to a place(s) on the Women’s or Mixed 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 in each category, 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. 
• Australia is likely to be invited to send TWO teams in the Women’s and Seniors categories 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.
• No ABF subsidy will be provided for non-playing captains or coaches.

For inquiries, contact:
David Fryda
ABF Executive Director
david.fryda@abf.com.au
0418 427 458

Posted in Latest News on July 29, 2025