Following a site visit in April we are pleased to confirm that the building works are coming to a close in the new, modern Welcome Building (pictured) of the Devonshire Park complex in Eastbourne.
It will be used for the Nature Valley International Tennis Tournament in June, after which we are looking forward to holding our Seniors Congress there in July, before heading back for the Summer Meeting in August.
Visit the pre-congress information page for travel and parking information, tourist advice, and news updates as the congress approaches.
The Summer Meeting will incorporate Weekend Challenges and One Day Events, the Seniors Congress, and the Really Easy Congress. All events are Level 4 except for the Really Easy Congress, which is Level 2.
Please enter through the members area of the website or by email to comps@ebu.co.uk - otherwise please enter at the venue as entries can be taken on the day, although a small surcharge is applicable.
Weekend Challenge Events
These are the flagship events of the Summer Meeting, ideal for those looking for an intensive long weekend of bridge. They take place across three days, with enhanced Green Points available to reflect the prestigious nature of the competition. If you are looking for an intensive weekend of quality bridge, these are the events for you.
Both weekend challenge events are part of the Championship Series, in which points can be earned towards the Player of the Year Championship.
One Day Events
For those who are only able to come to Eastbourne for a short period of time, or who simply prefer shorter competitions, there are the One Day Events.
These take place every day, except in the first weekend, and include pairs and teams events, and one- and two-session competitions. They offer the excellent bridge one would expect at the Summer Meeting, but with greater flexibility than the Weekend Challenges.
They give the opportunity to play as little or as much as you choose. Combine playing and sightseeing. Play with different partners. Just come for the day, or commute from home. Whatever your reasons, the One Day Events have something to suit you.
Some of the weekday evening events have an early bird start for those who would like to finish sooner - this can make travel easier for those who are 'commuting'. Alternatively you can start at the regular time and have longer dinner break. The choice is yours.
Jack High Event
This year there will be a Jack High Swiss Pairs on the first weekend, this will be a one-day green-pointed stratified Swiss Pairs. It will consist of six six-board matches, with a noon start-time.
Seniors Congress
To be eligible for a Seniors event, players must have their 61st birthday or beyond during the calendar year (January-December) of the event. For example, a player can play in a Seniors event at the age of 60 provided his/her 61st birthday falls later that year. For 2019 players must have been born in 1958 or earlier. See here for further details.
Under 26 Pairs
This event is no longer played at the Summer Meeting. Please see Under 26 Pairs event page
The Really Easy Summer Congress
The Really Easy Summer Congress offers a range of competitions and lessons for those who have recently to learn the game, or who have only just started playing more competitively. All players should be below the rank of Master, and have an NGS rating lower than Jack. Previous entrants to the Really Easy Congress should look to play in the main congress events.
For more information please see the event webpage
TD and Scoring courses
Details of any courses to be held at the Summer Meeting will be announced in due course.
The schedule of training courses to take place at the Summer Meeting has been confirmed.
Monday - 10:30 - 4:30 - TD course: How to run a club duplicate
Tuesday - 10:30 - 4:30 - TD course: Book Rulings
Wednesday - 10:30 - 4:30 - TD course: Book/Judgement Rulings
Thursday - 10:30 - 4:30 - TD course: Assessment
Friday - 10:00 - 12:30 - Scoring course: EBUScore beginners
Friday - 10:00 - 4:30 - Advanced TD training
Friday - 2:00 - 4:30 - Scoring course: EBUScore next step
To make a booking for any of the above please contact richard@ebedcio.org.uk, or call 01296 317217.
Other events
On Saturday and Sunday on both weekends and on Wednesday morning there is a seminar with an expert (or experts) discussing the hands from the previous day. Previous speakers have included Andrew Robson, Zia Mahmood, David Gold and other greats of the international game. The list of speakers will be announced in the weeks before the congress. On Friday morning there will be an expert seminar on a topic and with a speaker to be announced.
On both Friday and Saturday evenings there will be fun, free, fast-paced action for the insomniacs and bridge addicts, starting at 11:30pm.
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Please visit the Pre-Congress Information page for information to help you plan your trip to Eastbourne.
Timetable
Timetable | Session times |
|---|---|
Weekend Challenge Events | See the Weekend Challenge webpage for more details on these competitions |
Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th (1st weekend): Swiss Pairs Championship | Green points are awarded at one-and-a-half times the standard rate for both Weekend Challenge events. |
Friday 9th - Sunday 11th (2nd weekend): Four Stars Swiss Teams Championship | The evening event on Sunday 4th, and the afternoon event on Friday 9th, are free those entering the Challenge event that weekend. |
One Day Events | See the One Day Event webpage for more details on these competitions |
Saturday 3rd (1st Weekend) - Jack High Swiss Pairs | |
Two session weekend events | |
Saturday 10th (2nd Weekend): One-day Swiss Pairs | |
Sunday 11th (2nd Weekend): One-day Swiss Pairs | |
One session - Midweek Evenings | See the One Day Event webpage for more details on these competitions |
Sunday 4th: Open Pairs or Open Teams | Free entry for Swiss Pairs Championship players. |
Monday 5th: Play with the Experts pairs | |
Tuesday 6th - GCH Fox Championship Pairs | An early start is available |
Wednesday 7th - Mixed Pivot Teams | |
Thursday 8th - Mixed Pairs | An early start is available |
One session - Midweek Afternoons | |
Daily Open Pairs (Monday 5th to Friday 9th) | |
Friday 9th - Point-a-Board Teams | The Friday Open Pairs or Point-a-Board Teams is free to all Four Stars Swiss Teams players. |
Seniors Congress | |
Monday 5th & Tuesday 6th: Seniors Pairs | Qualifying on Monday evening, semi-finals and finals on Tuesday. |
Wednesday 7th & Thursday 8th: Seniors Teams | One session each afternoon. |
Late-night Speed Balls | On both Fridays and both Saturdays. Play starts at 11:30pm. |
Discuss it with an Expert | There are morning seminars on both Saturdays and Sundays; also Wednesday and Friday. The schedule will be available shortly before the congress. |
Really Easy Congress | See the Really Easy Congress webpage for more details on this event |
Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th, plus a free introductory day on Monday 5th | |
Entry Fees
Main Events (Provisonal) | ||
|---|---|---|
A | Full Congress (incl. Seniors) | £216 |
B | Full Congress (excl. Seniors) | £194 |
C | 1st weekend Swiss Pairs (Fri-Sun) | £97 |
D | 2nd weekend Swiss Teams (Fri-Sun) | £92 |
E | Both Swiss weekends (Fri-Sun) | £168 |
F | All midweek events | £67 |
G1 | Monday evening: Play with the Experts Pairs | £12 |
G2 | Tuesday evening Championship Pairs | £12 |
G3 | Wednesday evening Mixed Teams | £12 |
G4 | Thursday evening Mixed Pairs | £12 |
H1 | Sunday evening Open Pairs/Teams | £10 (free to those entering the 1st Weekend Swiss Pairs) |
H2 | Monday afternoon Open Pairs | £10 |
H3 | Tuesday afternoon Open Pairs | £10 |
H4 | Wednesday afternoon Open Pairs | £10 |
H5 | Thursday afternoon Open Pairs | £10 |
H6 | Friday afternoon Open Pairs | £10 (Free to those entering the 2nd Weekend Swiss Teams) |
H7 | Friday afternoon Point-a-Board Teams | £10 (Free to those entering the 2nd Weekend Swiss Teams) |
J | 2nd weekend Saturday one-day Swiss Pairs | £36 |
K | 2nd weekend Sunday one-day Swiss Pairs | £36 |
L | 2nd weekend both one-day Swiss Pairs | £66 |
O | Jack High Swiss Pairs | £25 |
Seniors Events | ||
A | Full Congress (incl Seniors) | £216 |
L | Seniors Pairs only | £46 |
M | Seniors Teams only | £39 |
N | Both Seniors events | £77 |
Really Easy Congress | ||
B | Full congress | £52 |
A | Introductory day - Monday | Free |
C | Tuesday only (lesson and how to play sessions) | £20 |
D | Wednesday only (lesson and how to play sessions) | £20 |
E | Thursday - Swiss Pairs (two sessions) | £16 |
Master Points
Green Points in the main Congress Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams are awarded at an enhanced level (see below).
The one-day Swiss Pairs will be fully Green Pointed at the standard level.
Midweek evenings, Open Pairs, Open Teams: Blue Points to the top places
Really Easy events: Blue Points to the top 1/4 of the field
Seniors: Teams - Green Points; Pairs - Blue Points in the semi-finals, Green Points in the finals
Green Point Match Awards
To reflect the status of this congress in our calendar, green-point match awards for the Harold Poster Cup (first weekend Swiss Pairs) and the Four Stars Trophy (second weekend Swiss Teams) will be at an increased scale – i.e. 0.42 for a win and 0.21 for a draw in each eight-board match.
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all events, except the Really Easy Congress, which is Level 2.
Venue and Tariff
2019 Information
The Summer meeting will be held at Devenshire Park, Eastbourne.
Devonshire Park, College Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4JJ
Follow signs to sea front, turn right, and go past the pier and the bandstand. Turn right up Carlisle Road. Immediately in front of you is the Devonshire Park complex.
Car Parking
On street parking is available free of charge in nearby streets.
Trinity Trees NPC Car Park
A discounted rate is available at an NCP carpark ten minutes walk from the tennis centre - Trinity Trees NCP at the junction of Trinity Place and Compton Street. You can park here for £2.50 for 24 hours (price subject to change by the local council). Please note that the carpark closes at 9pm, so if you are not staying overnight you will need to move your car before the start of the evening session. On street parking is free in many places in the area around Devonshire Park after 6pm. For instructions on how to receive the discount on your parking rates, see here. The 'discount tickets' will be available via EBU staff at the congress. The tickets are valid for use throughout the congress, so we would recommend you collect a ticket on arrival at the venue, rather than when you are leaving, to avoid any delays should you need to leave unexpectedly.
College Road Car Park
College Road Car Park also offers onsite parking adjacent to the centre. There are approximately 80 spaces including wheelchair spaces. This is a pay and display car park which accepts coins only. The charges are as follows:
Up to 2 hours hours £1.40
Up to 4 hours £2.60
Up to 8 hours £4.80
Up to 12 hours £6.50
Charges apply 8am – 6pm every day. No charges apply when displaying a valid disabled badge.
Hotels
No accommodation is available at the venue, and due to the abundance of hotels within easy walking distance of the venue there is not a 'host' hotel. You are free to make your own accommodation arrangements depending on your personal budget and circumstances. Our research suggests prices are cheaper than in Brighton - in some instances 30% cheaper for like-for-like options.
For details of hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation, contact:
Eastbourne Information Centre, Cornfield Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4QA
Tel: 01323 415 415
www.visiteastbourne.com
or
Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Kestrel House, Marine Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 7AU
Tel: 01323 726756
Alternatively please see the pre-congress information page for links to booking websites.
Things to do in and around Eastbourne
- Tripadvisor's list of attractions in Eastbourne
- Beachy Head
- Redoubt Fortress & Military Museum
- Drusillas Park
Restaurants
For further accommodation information please see the pre-congress information webpage.