6th – 8th February 2026
The EBU Harrogate Congress
- a weekend bridge competition in Yorkshire!
Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate, 6th - 8th February 2026
The Harrogate Spring Congress will be held over a long weekend in February.
A very popular congress held every year in Harrogate. Since 2017 the spring congress has been run by the Yorkshire Contract Bridge Association on behalf of the EBU.
Entry forms are available via the YCBA website.
Swiss Pairs (9 x 8 board matches)
We will be playing in the spacious Harewood Suite and as the event is face to face, it will be returning to the traditional 3 session Swiss Pairs.
To accommodate players’ travel arrangements, the first 3 matches to be held on Friday will be offered as two alternative sessions. Players will have the option to play in the afternoon commencing at 2.00pm, leaving the evening free. Or they may play in the evening commencing at 7.30pm. Both sessions will have equal standing and BOTH SESSIONS ARE CERTAIN TO RUN. Starting times are also shown on the YCBA website.
When booking please identify which session you and your partner wish to play in.
At the close of play on Friday evening, a rankings list will be produced which will be used to assign the first round of matches for everyone for sessions 2 & 3 on Saturday.
Bridge on Saturday will start at 1.00pm with a break at 4pm when there will be a complimentary 2 course buffet style meal, served in the hotel. We aim for play to be finished on Saturday by 8.30pm. This will allow players to enjoy Harrogate in the evening. We will recommend some places to eat, which will be announced at a later date.
Swiss Teams (7 x 7 board matches)
Starting at 10.30am on Sunday, there will be 3 matches before a meal break, with a complimentary 2-course lunch served in the hotel. This will be followed by 4 matches afterwards. We plan to finish at 6:45pm, allowing plenty of time to catch trains back to London (and elsewhere!).
Really Easy Pairs
There will be 5 x 5 Board matches with a break for High Tea (included). Arrive 1.30pm for a 2.00pm start, finishing at approximately 6.00pm
To enter
By entering an EBU congress or event you agree to abide by the terms and conditions set out in the Terms and Conditions document.
Please enter with Yorkshire CBA, and not with the EBU.
Holders
| Day | Start Time | End Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRI 6 | 14:00 | 17:15 | SWISS PAIRS session 1-3 |
| 19:30 | 22:45 | SWISS PAIRS session 1-3 | |
| Players choose 1 of the above | |||
| 14:00 | 18:00 | REALLY EASY PAIRS including High Tea | |
| SAT 7 | 13:00 | 16:00 | SWISS PAIRS session 4 – 6 |
| 16:00 | 17:30 | Break including meal | |
| 17:30 | 20:30 | SWISS PAIRS session 7 – 9 | |
| SUN 8 | 10:30 | 13:30 | SWISS TEAMS 1-3 |
| 13:30 | 14:30 | Break including meal | |
| 14:30 | 18:00 | SWISS TEAMS 4-7 |
| Entry fee (per player) | |
|---|---|
| Full Congress | TBC |
| Swiss Pairs | TBC |
| Swiss Teams | TBC |
| Really Easy | TBC per person including high tea |
Master Points
Both Swiss events are fully Green Pointed.
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all events.
Venue and Tariff
The Venue for the 2026 congress will be Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate. Further details are available on the YCBA website.
There is ample parking at the venue.
Hotel Rooms
Due to fluctuations in rates and the Congress hotel only holding prices until the first week in January, YCBA have decided that people will obtain better rates on either the internet or directly themselves.
Entries
Entries to: Stuart Davies [events@ycba.co.uk]. Entry form details will be available via YCBA website nearer the time.
Payment can be made by bank transfer as follows:
Sort code 09 - 02 - 22 Account no. 10861509 Quote ref. SC25+ Your Surname
Unfortunately, payments cannot be made by credit/debit cards or cheque.
If you wish to use a credit from your EBU account please contact the EBU Competitions Department (01296 317203, or comps@ebu.co.uk) and they will make a transfer to the YCBA. Please then email Stuart confirming details of your entry.
Previous Results
2025 results
2024 results
2023 results
2022 results
2021 - event not held
2020 results
2019 results
2018 results
2017 results
2016 results
2015 results
2014 results (Held in York)
2013 results
2012 results
2011 results
2010 results
2009 results
2008 results
2007 results
Find a partner/team mates
If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this competition, please use the new Partnership forum