Goa is gearing up for a thrilling season of mind sport as it prepares to host two major Bridge tournaments in 2026 – the Bonus 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships in June and the Goa Bridge Festival in July. Bringing together elite players and enthusiasts from across the globe, the events are expected to boost Goa’s sporting tourism profile while promoting the intellectually demanding card game of Bridge.
Contract Bridge, commonly known as Bridge, stands alongside Chess as one of the world’s foremost mind sports, celebrated for its global appeal and enduring popularity. Played by four players in partnerships, the strategic trick-taking card game requires skill, teamwork, memory, analytical thinking and sharp decision-making, earning it a devoted international following across both recreational and professional circuits.
Against this backdrop of growing global interest in the sport, Goa is preparing to welcome players, professionals and enthusiasts from across the world for two marquee Bridge events
that promise high-level competition and international participation.
The prestigious Bonus 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships will be held from June 21-27 at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. Organised under the aegis of the Asian Bridge fraternity and hosted by the Bridge Federation of India, the continental championship is conducted once every four years and ranks among Asia’s most distinguished Bridge events.
President of the Bridge Federation of India Prasad Keni noted that the Championships are expected to attract over 16 leading Bridge playing countries from across Asia and Australia. India, China, Japan, and several other nations are expected to participate across men’s, women’s, mixed, and senior team categories, along with open and mixed pairs events. The tournament is expected to conclude with a Friendship Pairs event open to all registered players.
Acknowledging the support of sponsors Keni says, “This international event is a recognised, approved, and a government-funded sporting event, supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through the Sports Authority of India (SAI).” He further adds, “The title sponsors are the Parksons Group – part of the global Cartamundi Group, manufacturers of the Bonus playing cards and popular board games such as UNO. Several other sponsors have supported this event prominently such as JKC Sports, HCL, Symphony and more.”
Read the full article in the latest issue of Viva Goa Magazine. Pick your copy from the nearest supermarket/bookstore today.
