23rd - 25th May 2026, Venue: Hilton Hotel, Reading
Spring Bank Holiday Congress
- featuring the Two Stars Pairs!
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Reading, 23rd - 25th May 2026
The Spring Bank Holiday Congress will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR IN CHARGE: Rob Sassoon
This event is again being run by Oliver Cowan on behalf of the EBU.
Two Star Pairs Qualifier will be 2 sessions of 24 boards on the Saturday. The top 18 pairs will qualify for the Two Stars Final to be held on the Sunday which will be a barometer event with all tables playing the same boards at the same time. Non-Qualifiers will be entered into the Consolation Swiss Pairs on the Sunday automatically.
For those who want a more relaxed event, there will be a ‘Jack High’ Swiss Pairs event which will be 2 sessions of 18 boards on the Saturday.
On the Bank Holiday Monday, there will be a Swiss Teams.
ALL events on the weekend will have Green Points awarded.
There is free on-site parking for the duration of the event and tea & coffee are will be included throughout the bridge as well, of course, as the pick n mix sweets! There will be food available for purchase at the hotel and order forms will be available at the start of each day in order that food will be ready for the break.
If you will be late arriving to the venue, please call 07946 393033. Please do not send a text message as this will not be forwarded.
9 High Improvers Pairs Online - will be held on BBO and run by Kent CBA. This event will be on Monday 25th May and will be open to players who are NGS 9 & below on Saturday 23rd May. This event is aimed at club players who are interested in taking the first steps into congress bridge but who may have found it daunting to jump straight into a major congress event.
The format will be two 18 board sessions with a break between the sessions. Players can play in either or both sessions. 10% of entry fees will be given as prizes in BBO$ and all proceeds will go to support junior bridge. Enter with Kent CBA.
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.
This event is being run by Oliver Cowan on behalf of the EBU, entries should be made directly with Oliver via the booking form.
Payments should then be made to:
Sort Code: 20-76-92
Bank Account: 13206572
Bank Account Name: Oliver Cowan Events Ltd
To pay using EBU credit, please contact the accounts department in the EBU office who can arrange this.
Holders
2025
Two-Stars Pairs - Neil Rosen & Stefano Tommasini
Swiss Teams - Tom Townsend, Michael Hornung, Gerard Thompson & Andrew Mann
Swiss Pairs - John Prust & Nevena Senior
Jack-High Swiss Pairs - Martin S Taylor & Ruth Merson
9-High Improvers Pairs - Martin S Taylor & Ruth Merson
| Day | Start Time | End Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT 23 | 12:30 | 15:30 | TWO STAR PAIRS QUALIFIER Session 1 (24 boards) |
| 13:00 | 15:20 | JACK HIGH SWISS PAIRS Session 1 (Matches 1-3) | |
| 16:00 | 18:20 | JACK HIGH SWISS PAIRS Session 2 (Matches 4-6) | |
| 16:15 | 19:15 | TWO STAR PAIRS QUALIFIER Session 2 (24 boards) | |
| SUN 24 | 11:00 | 14:00 | TWO STARS FINAL Session 1 (8x3 boards) |
| 11:00 | 14:00 | SWISS PAIRS (Matches 1-3) | |
| 15:00 | 18:30 | TWO STARS FINAL Session 2 (9x3 boards) | |
| 15:00 | 19:00 | SWISS PAIRS (Matches 4-7) | |
| MON 25 | 11:00 | 14:00 | SWISS TEAMS (Matches 1-3) |
| 11:00 | 13:15 | IMPROVERS PAIRS Session 1 | |
| 14:30 | 16:45 | IMPROVERS PAIRS Session 2 | |
| 14:45 | 18:45 | SWISS TEAMS (Matches 4-7) |
| Entry Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code | Event | Price |
| A | Two Stars Pairs & Swiss Teams | £148 (Early booking £142 if paid by 27th February) |
| B | Two Stars Pairs | £102 (Early Booking £98 if paid by 27th February) |
| C | Jack High Swiss Pairs | £30 |
| D | Swiss Pairs | £51 players not qualifying for Two Stars Final receive free entry |
| E | Swiss Teams | £51 |
| F | Swiss Pairs & Swiss Teams | £100 |
| G | Jack High Swiss Pairs, Consolation Swiss Pairs & Swiss Teams | £120 |
| H | Jack High Swiss Pairs & Consolation Swiss Pairs | £75 |
| I | Jack High Swiss Pairs & Swiss Teams | £75 |
| J | Improvers Pairs | BBO$5 per session paid via BBO on the day |
Entry fees are per player and should be made in advance.
Master Points
All events are Green Pointed.
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all events.
Improvers Pairs are Blue Pointed at Regional scale.
Venue and Tariff
2026
Hilton Hotel, Reading
Bedrooms are available for £105 per night single occupancy and £115 per night for double/twin, including breakfast. Rooms can be booked by ticking the appropriate box on the entry form.
Previous Winners
2025 - results
2024 - results
2023 - results
2022 - results
2021 - results
2020 - event not held
2019 results
2018 results
2017 results
2016 results
2015 results
2014 results
2013 results
2012 results
2011 results
2010 results
2009 results
2008 results
2007 results
2006 results
Spring Bank Holiday Pairs - the history
Spring Bank Holiday Teams - the history
Find a partner/team mates
If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this competition, please use the Partnership forum or email ocbridgecomps@gmail.com