AUSTRALIAN BRIDGE FEDERATION
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Bridge Federation Of The ACT

4th to 16th July 2026





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People



Organisers:

Lyn Carter

Cathy Nichols

Phone:

0402-077958 (Lyn)

0448-778863 (Cathy)

Email:anc@abf.com.au
Chief Tournament Director:Dr Laurie Kelso
Chief ScorerPeter Busch
Tournament DirectorRonnie Ng
Bulletin EditorKeith Ogborn


Links

Accommodation options, including bridge player discounts, are listed here.

Looking for more activities to do in Canberra during the Congress? - visit our list

Regulations - will be available in 2026

Having trouble placing an entry or submitting an enquiry? - there are several helpful 'How To' Guides, including videos, for MyABF on the ABF website.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The annual Australian National Championships (ANC) is one of the premier events in the Australian bridge calendar. In 2026 the ANC will be held in Canberra, hosted by BFACT (the Bridge Federation of the ACT).  In addition to the usual gold point national events, the ANC will include many red point congress events, catering for players at all levels. The available options are summarised in the program below.

ANCs are often dominated by players from the capital cities. To make the Canberra ANC a truly national event, we are excited to offer two new events exclusively for the members of the smaller or regional bridge clubs. The first event will be the Australian Country Club Teams Championships held from 6 to 8 July 2026 (alongside the Interstate Teams Championships). Each eligible bridge club is invited to nominate one team of four to six players to complete in this red point event. Following the teams event, there will be a two-day red point Australian Country Pairs Championship on 9 to 10 July 2026. This event will be open to any pair where both players are from a small or regional Club. Pairs do not have to be nominated by a club, nor do they have to be members of the same club. There will be a $30 entry fee rebate for players entering both Country Club Championship events.

          

Entries and Eligibility
Entries for most events will open on 1 January 2026. Some events, including the Country Club Championships, have restrictions on who may enter. See the link here for full details.
Entrants to the Interstate Teams Championships must be nominated by their state/territory bridge associations. State/territory officials should contact the organisers directly to enter teams in these events.
As the Country Club Championship Teams event is limited to one team per eligible club, club officials should contact the organisers directly to enter their nominated team. 

Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as traditional custodians of the land in the ACT region and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region.

Location - Canberra Labor Club/Mercure Hotel

Transport

The Canberra Labor Club is easily accessed by car. Parking is available in the club's carpark at a cost of $15 per day (there is an early bird rate - $9 before 9am), entry from Edmonstone Place. There is also pay parking (with early bird rates) at the nearby Abode with alternatives in Chandler St or Cameron Ave. Parking on the weekends in various locations around Chandler St is free. Further along Edmonstone Place is the rear entry to the Labor Club with a pick-up point, note this door will not be open until 10am.

The Belconnen Bus Interchange is just metres away from the Canberra Labor Club, in Cohen St. Bus timetables are available from the Transport Canberra website. The easiest way to pay for public transport in Canberra is to tap or scan (on your phone) a Mastercard or Visa credit card or MyWay+.  All public transport is free on FridaysSeniors (including interstate) can travel for free during off peak times (peak times are weekdays before 9am and between 4:30 to 6pm).

ACT Cabs provide a taxi service within Canberra.

The Canberra Labor Club is 18 km from the airport. In normal traffic, the trip by car should take about 25 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the club will cost approximately $60. The R3 (Rapid route 3) bus runs between the airport and the Belconnen Bus Interchange between 6 am and 10:30 pm, departing approximately every 15 minutes; the trip takes about 45 minutes. 

Catering

The Canberra Labor Club invites all bridge players to enjoy their bistro, cafe and bar facilities during the ANC. Visitors can access membership discounts by taking out temporary membership of the club at a cost of $1.

There are many other dining and bar options a short walk away in the Belconnen Town Centre. Check back for more dining options, including bridge player discounts, in 2026.

PROGRAM

* For teams events Entry fee per player assumes a team of 4. Amounts will differ for teams of 5 or 6.

Event Full entry fee per player Day Time Total entries Action
Champagne Pairs at Canberra Bridge Club15 credits Friday 03-07-2026 - 7:15am 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Welcome Swiss Pairs120 credits Saturday 04-07-2026 - 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Sunday 05-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Rookies Pairs (<15 Masterpoints)35 credits Saturday 04-07-2026 - 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Novice Pairs (<50 Masterpoints)70 credits Sunday 05-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Interstate Teams Championships - Open0 credits* Monday 06-07-2026 - 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm 0 Entries open in 279 daysView Entries
Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Thursday 09-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm
Interstate Teams Championships - Women0 credits* Monday 06-07-2026 - 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm 0 Entries open in 279 daysView Entries
Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Thursday 09-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm
Interstate Teams Championships - Senior0 credits* Monday 06-07-2026 - 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm 0 Entries open in 279 daysView Entries
Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Thursday 09-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm
Interstate Teams Championships - Youth0 credits* Monday 06-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm 0 Entries open in 279 daysView Entries
Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Thursday 09-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm
Australian Country Club Teams Championship240 credits* Monday 06-07-2026 - 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm 0 Entries open in 307 daysView Entries
Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Three Day Teams240 credits* Monday 06-07-2026 - 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 11:45am & 2:30pm & 4:45pm
Swiss Pairs I80 credits Monday 06-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Capital Bridge Club Len Dixon Pairs14 credits Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Tuesday 14-07-2026 - 7pm
Capital Bridge Club Len Dixon Pairs I14 credits Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Swiss Pairs II80 credits Tuesday 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Swiss Pairs III80 credits Wednesday 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Interstate Teams Finals - Open0 credits* Thursday 09-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 314 daysView Entries
Friday 10-07-2026 - 9am & 11:15am & 2pm & 4:15pm
Interstate Teams Finals - Womens0 credits* Thursday 09-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 314 daysView Entries
Friday 10-07-2026 - 9am & 11:15am & 2pm & 4:15pm
Interstate Teams Finals - Senior0 credits* Thursday 09-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 314 daysView Entries
Friday 10-07-2026 - 9am & 11:15am & 2pm & 4:15pm
Interstate Teams Finals - Youth0 credits* Thursday 09-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 314 daysView Entries
Friday 10-07-2026 - 9am & 11:15am & 2pm & 4:15pm
Australian Country Pairs Championship160 credits Thursday 09-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Friday 10-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Interstate Pairs Championship160 credits Friday 10-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
National Individual80 credits Friday 10-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
ANC Presentation Dinner110 credits Friday 10-07-2026 - 7:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Open Butler Stage 1180 credits Saturday 11-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Sunday 12-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Restricted Butler (<300 Masterpoints)160 credits Saturday 11-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Sunday 12-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Introduction to IMP Scoring (<50 Masterpoints)70 credits Saturday 11-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Matchpoint Pairs70 credits Sunday 12-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Open Butler Stage 2180 credits Monday 13-07-2026 - 1:30pm & 9:30pm 0 Entries open in 318 daysView Entries
Tuesday 14-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Mixed Butler Stage 1180 credits Monday 13-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Tuesday 14-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Swiss Pairs A160 credits Monday 13-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Tuesday 14-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Capital Bridge Club Len Dixon Pairs II14 credits Tuesday 14-07-2026 - 7pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Open Butler Stage 3360 credits Wednesday 15-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 320 daysView Entries
Thursday 16-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Mixed Butler Stage 2180 credits Wednesday 15-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 320 daysView Entries
Thursday 16-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm
Swiss Pairs B160 credits Wednesday 15-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm 0 Entries open in 126 daysView Entries
Thursday 16-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm


Photography Policy

The supplementary tournament regulations provide that, as a condition of entering an ANC event, players consent to the taking, use, retention, reproduction and/or adaptation of their photographic images (still or moving) during the ANC. These images may be used by BFACT and/or the ABF for publicity and other purposes consistent with the aims of the ABF, including publication in official ANC bulletins. Players may only refuse to be photographed for religious or cultural reasons deemed valid by the tournament organisers or Chief Tournament Director.

Presentation Functions

Join us for the ANC Presentation Dinner. The three-course sit-down dinner, which includes wine and juice, commences at 7 pm on Friday 10 July 2026. Enjoy the panoramic views of Belconnen at night from the Canberra Room on the 11th floor of the Mercure Hotel.

Tickets can be purchased through this website at a cost of $110 each, on or before 15 June 2026. They will be delivered to team captains at the Captains' meeting (5 July) or can be collected from the Admin Desk from 6 July. We regret that we cannot sell dinner tickets after the closing date of 15 June 2026. 

Prizes and medallions for the finals of the Butler events will be presented immediately after play ends on Thursday 16 July 2026. Everyone entered in an event on that day is invited to a complimentary drinks function in the Fred Daly Room to congratulate the successful players. Our team of wonderful ANC volunteers are also invited.


Walk-in Games

For those players seeking a casual game, several BFACT-affiliated clubs offer weekly walk-in programswith start times as follows:

Bridge Club
Location
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Canberra4 Duff Place, Deakin10am 
Matchpoint Pairs
1pm 
Matchpoint Pairs
10am, 7:15pm 
Matchpoint Pairs
10am 
Matchpoint Pairs
Butler Pairs
9:30am, 1pm 
Matchpoint Pairs
<100 Masterpoints
CapitalCanberra Labor Club, downstairs, Belconnen, 51 Chandler St
7pm
Matchpoint Pairs



South CanberraWoden Southern Cross Club, downstairs, 92-96 Corinna St

10am, 7pm 
Matchpoint Pairs


Gungahlin

Gungahlin Lakes Club, downstairs, 110 Gundaroo Dr, Nicholls



9:40am 
Matchpoint Pairs


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