MBC 2026 Program Update
The 2026 Program has been developed by Jill Parsons, Gail Hamer, Peter Bufton, Kerrie Hissey, Kaye Frankland and Ruth Perris.
All players are asked to become familiar with the updated version of the MBC Tournament Regulations.
The Maitland Bridge Club Tournament Committee Guidelines have also been revised.
You can find these documents in the Information section of the MBC website.
Please note the term ‘Rounds’ e.g. GNOT Rd 1 are no longer used. They are now called ‘Sessions’ to bring us in line with ABF and Bridge NSW terminology e.g. GNOT S1.
To assist you with planning holidays etc for 2026, this is a list of the events, other than normal bridge sessions for 2026. Please mark any that interest you in your diary.
Event trialed in 2025 and being extended to 2026 if available:
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Event Name
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Date/s
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Criteria for entry
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Criteria for running event
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Cost
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Nationwide Pairs
Queens Slipper events
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To be advised if this program continues to be offered in 2026. We are waiting on advice from Bridge NSW.
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Open to all
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At least 3 tables
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1 token.
MBC will subsidise the additional $1 per player for 2026.
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Changes to current events:
State mixed Pairs: NSWBA requires the field to be a majority of mixed pairs. In 2023 this was not seen as a popular event in its current format with only 6 mixed pairs competing in all rounds on Mondays and the event being abandoned for the Friday sessions due to lack of mixed pair interest.
In 2024 this was run as a 2 session event on a Sunday. This was also not very popular.
In 2025 it was scheduled for two Tuesday mornings, 3 weeks apart and attracted a field of 5 tables.
Following feedback from those who completed the 2025 Program Survey, this event will be held over two Sunday mornings.
Are you interested in playing in State Mixed Pairs in 2026? 25 responded Yes
If Yes, what is your preferred option?
Two Tuesday mornings 8 Two Sunday mornings 9
Two sessions on a Sunday (morning and afternoon) 7
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Event Name
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Date/s
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Criteria for entry
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Criteria for running event
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Cost
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State Mixed Pairs
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Session 1
Sunday
1 February 2026
Session 2
Sunday
15 February 2026
9.15 am.
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Mixed pairs
Special event Criteria applies
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At least 5 tables
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1 token per session
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Country Teams/Club Teams Championships will again be run as one event concurrently. In 2026 this has been scheduled as two sessions on one Sunday.
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Event Name
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Date/s
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Criteria for entry
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Criteria for running event
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Cost
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Club Teams Championship combined with Country Teams
Sponsored by Creightons
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Session 1 and 2:
Sunday
22 March 2026
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Teams of 4
Special event Criteria applies
Entries close one week prior to Session 1.
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Minimum 5 teams, maximum 12 teams
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1 token per session
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Dinner Bridge has replaced Pizza Bridge and will be held on Saturdays after the normal Saturday bridge session. There will be 3 Dinner Bridge sessions in 2026.
The survey results indicated the majority of people interested in dinner bridge would prefer to have dinner at a restaurant after bridge.
Are you interested in playing in Dinner Bridge events on Saturday afternoons in 2026? 25 responded Yes
If yes what is your preferred options?
Dinner at clubhouse e.g. chicken and salad 3
Dinner at a restaurant 12
Mix of clubhouse and restaurant events during the year 5
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Event Name
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Date/s
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Criteria for entry
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Criteria for running event
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Cost
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Dinner Bridge
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Saturdays:
21 February 2026
20 June 2026
24 October 2026
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None
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At least 3 tables
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1 Token.
Dinner at restaurant at own cost.
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Annual General Meeting:
Wednesday 5 August 2026. 5.00 pm after bridge.
A motion was passed at the December 2023 Management Committee meeting to alternate AGMs between the first Monday and Wednesday in August to ensure greater equity of access for meeting attendance. Wednesday now attracts more tables per year than any other bridge session.
Other events:
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Event Name
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Date/s
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Criteria for entry
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Criteria for running event
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Cost
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Red Point
15 Sessions
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See calendar for dates
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As decided by members attending the 2024 AGM:
Special event Criteria applies
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At least 3 tables
Red Point events do not close 3 days before the event.
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1 token
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GNOTS
Grand National Open Teams
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Friday Sessions:
1: 1 May 2026
2: 8 May 2026
3: 15 May 2026
(If required)
Monday Sessions:
1: 4 May 2026
2: 11 May 2026
2: 18 May 2026
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Teams of 4
Special event Criteria applies.
Entries close 1 week prior to Session 1.
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Minimum 5 teams, maximum 12 teams
If there are less than 5 teams entered, GNO Pairs will be run instead of teams.
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2 tokens for Session 1.
1 Token for
next Sessions
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Australia Wide Novice Pairs
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Wednesday 27 May 2026
12.45 pm
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Less than 100 MPs
Special event Criteria applies
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At least 5 tables
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2 tokens
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Australia Wide Restricted Pairs
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Monday 26 October 2026
12.45 pm
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Players must have less than 300 MPs
Special event Criteria applies
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At least 5 tables
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2 tokens
Day changed to Monday following Survey responses
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Australia Wide Open Pairs
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Tuesday 25 August 2026
9.15 am
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Special event Criteria applies
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At least 5 tables
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2 tokens
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Club Pairs Championships
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All year
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Playing 30 times, as a partnership in club pairs events.
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Pairs must play together at least 30 times, and their best 24 MP scores will be averaged.
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The 24 best scores averaged, allows, and encourages, good players to play with other less experienced players if their regular partner is unavailable without reducing their standing in the competition.
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State Pairs Championships.
(previously called State Open Pairs).
We can now run 9 sessions over 3 events, targeting different audiences.
The events must be concluded by 31-8-2026. |
Monday Sessions:
1: 10 August 2026
2: 17 August 2026
3: 24 August 2026
Friday sessions:
1: 31 July 2026
2: 7 August 2026
3; 14 August 2026
Saturdays
sessions:
1: 25 July 2026
2: 1 August 2026
3: 8 August 2926 |
Special event Criteria applies
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At least 5 tables
Regional Final Saturday
26-9-2026
Finals will be run in 3 divisions:
- Open
- Under National
- Novice
State finals will be held on RealBridge.
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2 tokens for Session 1
1 token for next sessions.
This is to partially cover the entry fee of $2.50 per player per session.
See MBC Minutes dated 12-1-2026.
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State Teams Championships
We do not usually send teams to the State final in Sydney.
In 2026 there will be regional finals held locally. |
No separate club qualifying event
Teams for Regional final will be selected from Country Teams and GNOT events |
Special event Criteria applies
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Regional Final Sunday
27-9-2026
Finals will be run in 3 divisions:
- Open
- Under National
- Novice
State finals will be held on RealBridge.
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TBA
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Invitation Days
3 sessions
One scheduled for a Saturday following survey responses
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Wednesdays:
17 June 2026
29 July 2026
Saturday:
14 November 2026
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One player to have less than 25 MP. This may be adapted if deemed necessary as our newer players are progressing very quickly.
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At least 3 tables
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1 token
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Christmas Function
Venue to be advised
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Thursday 3 December 2026
6.00 pm
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Members and guests welcome
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To be advised
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All these events are now on the MBC website Calendar for 2026.
At the top of each month you can click the right facing arrow on the top right of the calendar page to take you to the next month. (e.g. May to June)
The down facing arrow will take you to the next year. (e.g. 2025 to 2026)
The left facing arrow at the top left of each page will take you back one month. (e.g. June to May)
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