We are delighted to announce that the 2027 Summer Festival of Bridge (SFoB) will return to QT Canberra (formerly Rydges Lakeside and Lakeside International hotel which first hosted the SFoB in 1974).

This decision reflects the valuable feedback we received following the 2026 festival and our commitment to continually improving the Summer Festival experience.

We would like to thank The Canberra Rex for the professionalism and support they have shown throughout our time there. They worked closely with us, listened to player feedback, and made genuine efforts to address the concerns raised. After carefully considering all the options, the ABF Board believes that returning to QT Canberra is the right decision.

Returning to QT Canberra feels like reconnecting with an important part of the Summer Festival’s history. We’re looking forward to welcoming familiar faces back and sharing the memories with friends who will be there for the first time. QT is also providing significant commercial support including a flexible accommodation policy with free cancellations up to 24 hours before arrival, $15 per day parking and a $15 grab and go lunch menu.

Returning to QT has also allowed us to expand the program while keeping the Open, Women’s, Seniors’ and Mixed schedules unchanged from 2026.

New in 2027:

• u500 MP Chris Diment Matchpoint Swiss Pairs
• u500 MP Fixed Income Solutions One Day Swiss Pairs
• TBIB Under 750/500 and Under 300/100 MP Swiss Pairs (unchanged from 2026)
• Under 300 MP Swiss Pairs/Teams (three days with an early finish on Wednesday)
• Fringe Festival from Friday 22/1-Sunday 24/1 including an u20 MP & Open division.  During the Fringe Fest, there is a FREE entry game for players with fewer than 5 masterpoints.  The Festival Finale session from 2.00-5.00pm on Sunday is FREE entry for all players and is followed by VuGraph commentary of the final stanza of the National Open Teams.

To celebrate the return of the Festival to QT, there are a number of Early bird draws with prizes including four nights at the QT hotel, Capitol Bar and Grill dining vouchers and International Bridge Press Association memberships.

Entries for the 2027 SFoB are now open!

Book your events through MyABF:
https://myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/4468

Accommodation at QT Canberra

To access your special festival rates, visit www.qthotels.com and:

1. Select QT Canberra, your dates (11–25 January 2027) and number of guests.
2. Click “I have a code”.  Enter the code in the BLOCK CODE section
3. Enter one of the following block codes:
   • 2701ABFRMO – Room Only
   • 2701ABFBRI – Breakfast Included (be sure to adjust occupancy to one if only one breakfast is needed).
4. Click Update to view your discounted rates.

Alternatively, contact the QT Reservations Team:

Phone: +61 2 6267 6244
Email: reservations_qtcanberra@evt.com

We look forward to welcoming you to QT Hotel Canberra for a fantastic 2027 Summer Festival of Bridge.

Images from 2017 when the festival was last held at QT and was attended by some international superstars of the game.

National Open Teams Championship Winners:  LAVAZZA  Antonio Sementa, Agustin Madala, Alejandro Bianchedi, Giorgio Duboin, Norberto Bocchi and Dennis Bilde

1^st SWPT
South-West Pacific Teams 1st Place MILNER:   Hemant Lall, Reece Milner, Jacek Pszczola, Justin Lall, Jacek Kalita and Michal Nowosadzki

Posted in Latest News on July 1, 2026