Under 26 Championship Pairs

Last updated 25th April 2024

This competition started life as an U35 moving to U30 in 1968 and becoming U26 by the early 1970s (sponsored from 1971 by Cutty Sark) until December 1980 after which it became U25 (and was sponsored by the Guardian)as an adaptation of the existing junior competition in recognition of the European Bridge League's definition of 'junior'. In 1982 and 1983 there was a competition for 'University Students', alongside a 'Schools' event. There was a one year gap in 1986 but the guardian sponsored the event for 1987 and it returned. There was only one event in 1997. In 2016 it reverted to being called an Under 26 event in line with world bridge's new nomenclature. 

The competition was originally a multi-venue 'simultaneous' event, before becoming a competition with regional qualifying rounds, prior to a final, usually held in London at Easter. The qualifying rounds were dropped in the mid-1990s with the 'final' open to all. In 2013-2017 the event was part of the Summer Meeting, held in August. In 2018 it was a stand-alone competition. During the early years of the competition, it was sponsored by The Guardian and the National Bank of Dubai. 'Under 26s'

* - the event was played in 1977

To help fill in any details please contact sam@ebu.co.uk