Bridge Federation Of The ACT
4th to 16th July 2026
Sponsored by
.
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 Scorer | Peter Busch |
Tournament Director | Ronnie Ng |
Bulletin Editor | Keith 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 Fridays. Seniors (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 Club | 15 credits | Friday | 03-07-2026 - 7:15am | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Welcome Swiss Pairs | 120 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 - Open | 0 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 - Women | 0 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 - Senior | 0 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 - Youth | 0 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 Championship | 240 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 Teams | 240 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 I | 80 credits | Monday | 06-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Capital Bridge Club Len Dixon Pairs | 14 credits | Tuesday | 07-07-2026 - 7pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Tuesday | 14-07-2026 - 7pm | ||||
Capital Bridge Club Len Dixon Pairs I | 14 credits | Tuesday | 07-07-2026 - 7pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Swiss Pairs II | 80 credits | Tuesday | 07-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Swiss Pairs III | 80 credits | Wednesday | 08-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Interstate Teams Finals - Open | 0 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 - Womens | 0 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 - Senior | 0 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 - Youth | 0 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 Championship | 160 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 Championship | 160 credits | Friday | 10-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
National Individual | 80 credits | Friday | 10-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
ANC Presentation Dinner | 110 credits | Friday | 10-07-2026 - 7:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Open Butler Stage 1 | 180 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 Pairs | 70 credits | Sunday | 12-07-2026 - 9:30am & 1:30pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Open Butler Stage 2 | 180 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 1 | 180 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 A | 160 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 II | 14 credits | Tuesday | 14-07-2026 - 7pm | 0 | Entries open in 126 daysView Entries |
Open Butler Stage 3 | 360 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 2 | 180 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 B | 160 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 programs, with start times as follows:
Bridge Club | Location | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Canberra | 4 Duff Place, Deakin | 10am Matchpoint Pairs | 1pm Matchpoint Pairs | 10am, 7:15pm Matchpoint Pairs | 10am Matchpoint Pairs Butler Pairs | 9:30am, 1pm Matchpoint Pairs <100 Masterpoints |
Capital | Canberra Labor Club, downstairs, Belconnen, 51 Chandler St | 7pm Matchpoint Pairs | ||||
South Canberra | Woden 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 |