Club Selection Events are underway for both the State Mixed Pairs Championship and the revamped State Pairs and Teams Championships.
If your club is yet to schedule a Club Selection Event for either competition, it’s not too late. Almost any regular duplicate session can be used as a club selection event.
The session requirements for a Club Selection Event are:
- State Pairs and Teams Championships 2026:
- For pairs – any duplicate pairs session scored using match points.
- For teams – any duplicate pairs or teams session scored using IMPs.
- State Mixed Pairs Championship 2026 – any duplicate pairs session scored using match points.
State Pairs and Teams Championships 2026
The new format for the State Championships for Pairs and Teams includes three categories (based on a player’s experience level) and a simple path from Club Selection Events to Regional Finals, and finally, the State Finals. The new State Teams and Regional Finals replace the Country Teams element of the former State Open Teams. A Country Teams Champion is still selected at the State Final. This format is designed to increase player participation, provide a regional focus, and greater access to the State Finals by hosting both Pairs and Teams events online.
The new player categories will be particularly helpful to clubs with less experienced players – especially those with under 1000 masterpoints. There is now an opportunity for players at different skill levels to enter Regional and State Finals and compete within their relevant category level rather than in just one open category.
Clubs need to schedule their selection events in time to advise Bridge NSW of their representative pairs and teams by Monday 31 August, with regional and state finals to be held as follows:
- Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September– Regional Finals
- Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December– State Teams Final (online)
- Monday 30 November and Monday 7 December– State Pairs Final (online)
State Mixed Pairs Championship 2026
The State Mixed Pairs Championship is following the same format as in recent years, beginning with Club Qualifying Events. There is some flexibility for clubs to hold qualifying events that aren’t exclusively mixed pairs, providing they’re in line with the supplementary regulations, which you can view here.
Clubs need to hold their qualifying events in enough time to advise Bridge NSW of their representative pairs by Monday 11 May. The finals will take place at the Sydney Bridge Centre on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May.
Want to learn more?
Read more about these events on the State Championships page of the Bridge NSW website. If you have a query about either event, you can get in touch as follows:
- For the State Mixed Pairs Championship, email smp@bridgensw.com.au.
- For the State Pairs and Teams Championships, email state.champs@bridgensw.com.au.
