Overview
NEW ZEALAND BRIDGE CONGRESS
Saturday November 8th to Saturday 15th November 2025
The New Zealand National Bridge Congress is the premier bridge event in our annual calendar. In 2024, we had just over 600 players attend, from all regions of New Zealand including 50+ international visitors over the 8 day period. We are looking forward to bringing you a great 2025 Congress. We will be regularly updating this website with information on prices and events.
Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th November 2025
Welcome address at 9.45am.
Play to start at 10.00am. The NZ Open Teams Swiss Qualifying, Restricted Open, Intermediate and Junior Teams will be 9 x 14 board matches. 4 matches Saturday and 5 matches Sunday.
Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th November 2025
The Top 8 qualified teams in the Open event will play quarter finals. Open, Senior, Restricted, Intermedaite and Junior Grades can enter NZ Swiss Pairs. Commencing 9.30am Monday and concluding lunch-time Tuesday. Playing 9 x 8 board matches. Monday night - walk in Goulash Pairs. Tuesday evening Quiz Night.
Tuesday 11th & Wednesdy 12th November 2025
NZ Teams semi and finals for the Top eight teams. Conclusion of the NZ Swiss Pairs. Open, Senior, Restricted, Intermedaite and Junior Grades, commencment of the Congress Teams Tuesday after lunch and conclude at the end of Wednesday. Playing 6x 12 board matches. Remember Wednesday is Fancy Dress day - theme is "I". At the conclusion of play there will be a prize-giving for all grade of the NZ Teams event and the NZ Swiss Pairs.
Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th November 2025
We will again have a 3-stage competition for New Zealand Open Pairs. Day 3 for those who do not make the Final or Plate there will be a 1-day Matchpoint Swiss Pairs event. The Restricted Open Pairs will be a 3-session qualifying and a 3 session Final/Plate event. NZ Junior and NZ Intermedaite Pairs play over two days. Saturday is also a 1 day Matchpoint Swiss Pairs event for Junior and Intermedaite players.
We offer Novice players a one session event on the afternoon of Saturday 15th November 2025.
At the conclusion of play there will be a prize-giving for all grades.
Most sessions will commence at 9.30am or 1.30pm, apart from NZ Open Teams finals rounds.
The Organising Committee hopes these changes will enhance your Congress experience.
We looking to see you at Palmy Function Centre for 2025.
Please note there is no longer an earlybird discount. However, all players who have paid in full by 15th October 2025 go in a draw, with one of four chances, to win their entry fee back!
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Click here to view a summary of all Congress events and timetable You will also find a printable version here if so required
ENTERING AND PAYING
Please enter events as soon as you can. Although entries will be accepted up to about a day in advance for most events we encourage players to enter early. Please enter the events you will play assuming your team is eliminated from New Zealand Open Teams. If your team reaches the knock-out stages, we will automatically withdraw you from events you entered that run at the same time. The cost of the knock-out stages are covered by those events you entered.
FULL-TIME STUDENT YOUTH PLAYERS
Youth players will get a 50% discount on any Congress event. You must have your Year of birth registered with NZB for this to automatically calculate. Your club should have provided NZB with this so your levy is calculated accurately, so you should not have to do a thing, but if you go to pay and the discount is not offered, contact NZB immediately.
Restricted EVENTS
Players may compete in Restricted events if their ranking as at 1st January 2025 is National Master or lower rank.
Senior and YOUTH CRITERIA FOR 2025 NATIONAL BRIDGE CONGRESS
To qualify for Senior events at the Congress, a player must be at least 65 years at some point in 2025. Their birthday must be on or before the 31st December 1960.
To qualify for Youth prizes and Youth discount, a player must not have turned 25 years by the 31st December 2024. Their birthday must be after the 31st December 1999.
COMMERCIAL POLICY
All prices are per person in New Zealand Dollars and include GST. Our refund policy is 100% before the start of Congress, with the Organisers having flexibility on refunds against written requests after that date.
New Zealand Bridge Incorporated, registered as an Incorporated Society in May 1938 number 215735, disclaims warranties of reasonableness and accuracy, and all warranties with regard to the information on this site, including all implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. In no event shall the NZB be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of the use of this site or participation at any NZB event.
