Asia’s leading Card strategists from over 20 countries to participate in The Battle of Minds
Global Mind sport Icons, Asian Games Medallists, and Top Indian Internationals to Compete
The Bridge Federation of India (BFI), the apex governing body for the game of contract bridge in India, recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has announced that the prestigious 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships will be held from June 21–27, 2026, at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, Goa, India.
Held once in 4 years, the Asia Cup ranks among the most distinguished continental Bridge Championships, conducted under the aegis of the Asia Bridge fraternity, with participation from leading nations across Asia and Oceania. This year, the championship is expected to welcome participants from over 20 countries, including India, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Prasad Keni, President of the Bridge Federation of India, said, “This is the second time India has been honoured to host the prestigious Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championship. It highlights India’s growing stature as a premier destination for global mind sports and intellectual sporting events. Furthermore, it significantly boosts Goa’s positioning as a dynamic hub for international sporting tourism, proving that the state can seamlessly merge world-class leisure with competitive, high-intellect global tournaments.”
The championship will officially open on June 21 with a grand Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner, followed by intense qualification rounds, semifinals, and finals throughout the week. Participation is limited to 16 teams per category, with top teams from across Asia, the Middle East, and the South Pacific. A major highlight of this tournament will be a special “Friendship Pairs Event” open to all registered players, scheduled for June 27, 2026.
The continental championship will feature Men’s, Women’s, Mixed, and Seniors Team events, alongside Open and Mixed Pairs competitions. It is expected to attract top bridge-playing nations from Zones 4, 6, and 7 of the World Bridge Federation (WBF) structure.
Historically, the tournament has featured powerhouse teams, with nations like China, Chinese Taipei, and India frequently dominating the podium. Beyond traditional sports, bridge has long been championed by global icons such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who laud it as the ultimate test of long-term strategy, risk management, and logic. In India, the sport has drawn patronage from corporate leaders like the late industry veteran Deepak Parekh, and Asian Games silver medalists such as Kiran Nadar, who have consistently elevated India’s competitive standing on the world map.
India holds a proud, decorated legacy in this championship, having secured an impressive tally of 20 medals—including 8 gold medals—in previous editions. The home contingent will strive to raise this tally further, led by top-tier Indian pairs including Subhash Gupta–Sandeep Thakral and Rajeshwar Tewari–Sumit Mukherjee.
“This year the championship will bring together some of Asia-Pacific’s most accomplished bridge players, national champions and international medal winners” further continued Mr. Keni.
From an economic and regional standpoint, hosting an intellectual event of this magnitude underscores India’s rapidly expanding footprint in global mindsports. The tournament is expected to act as a catalyst for Goa’s high-value “MICE” (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism ecosystem, delivering a direct economic multiplier to local hospitality, luxury retail, and premium service sectors.
Known as one of the world’s most intellectually respected card games — a game of strategy, partnership, memory, logic and psychology and communication between partners, played by millions globally, including world champions, business leaders, academics and competitive mind sport athletes. It’s a basic game that requires just four people, a standard deck of 52 cards, and something to keep score on. The game is highly analytical, demanding deep concentration, memory, and sustained problem-solving.
The 5th Bonus Asia Cup 2026 is proposed to be held under the recognition and support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, as a prestigious international continental championship representing India on the global bridge sporting platform. It is supported by Parksons Cartamundi Pvt Ltd, the largest manufacturer of Playing Cards and Collectable Cards in India.
