The updated structure delivers:

• A larger face-to-face National Final,
• More teams qualifying from the online stage to a face-to-face final in Brisbane, and
• A brand-new accompanying GNOT Plate event offering gold points and open entry.

Details:

The 2026 Grand National Open Teams format is being updated to provide more opportunity for participation in this great gold point event both at your local club and in the finals.

As per previous years, club qualifying events will happen all across the country providing all ABF affiliated players the opportunity to compete for gold points.

Regional finals will then be held to qualify 64 representative teams to participate online in the first round of the finals.

The online final round will be shortened by one round so there will be a half day on the Friday and then matches on the Saturday and Sunday to qualify EIGHT teams to the Face-to-Face final which will be returning to Brisbane.

In addition to those eight teams, the next highest placed TWELVE non-metropolitan teams will qualify for the Non-metropolitan final, also to be held face-to-face in Brisbane.  This represents four more teams than those that qualified in the past two years.  All participants in the non-metropolitan final will compete over the full three days.

This means that in total there will be 20 out of 64 teams with a chance of winning the opportunity to play in the finals in Brisbane over three days.

The 20 teams from the first round of the final earning the right to play in Brisbane will receive a travel subsidy, the amount will vary based on the location/region that they are representing.  The subsidy amount will not cover all travel and accommodation costs but is expected to cover the cost of a flexible return economy airfare, at a minimum.

The first day of the finals will be dedicated to the main event but on the next two days, over the weekend, we will be holding the new GNOT Plate GOLD Point Event.  This event will be limited to 38 teams.  Teams eliminated from the quarter finals of the main event will participate in the Plate and the other 34 places will be available on a first come, first served basis with entries opening at a time to be announced.  This will be a great opportunity for gold points, great bridge and a great weekend in Brisbane. 

Watch out for more details on My ABF.

KEY DATES

Online Final (Phase 2):
18–20 September 2026 (Online)

Face-to-Face National Final (Phase 3):
27–29 November 2026
Queensland Contract Bridge Club, Brisbane 

NEW: GNOT Plate Event
28–29 November
Queensland Contract Bridge Club, Brisbane

Posted in Latest News on December 17, 2025