Asia Cup Bridge 2026: India B Seniors lead table; women's semis set in Panaji
Synopsis
India's women's bridge team sealed their semifinal spot in Panaji while India B shot to the top of the Seniors table with an 11.48 VP lead — the host nation's best single day at the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026. The Seniors and Mixed divisions remain wide open heading into Thursday's final qualification rounds.
Key Takeaways
India A (women's) confirmed a Friday semifinal berth at the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 in Panaji, Goa .
China topped the Women's table on 127.61 VPs ; India A qualified third on 105.30 VPs .
India B leads the Seniors division with 144.67 VPs , 11.48 VPs clear of second-placed Australia .
In the Open division, India A is third on 154.10 VPs and odds-on to qualify with two matches left.
The Mixed division's fourth semifinal spot is contested by Singapore , Thailand , India A , and Australia B , separated by fewer than 11 VPs .
Grand Finals and closing ceremony are set for Saturday, 27 June 2026 .
India reached their first knockout milestone of the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 on Wednesday, 25 June, as the host nation's women's team confirmed a place in Friday's semifinals at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon in Panaji, Goa. The achievement came on a productive day for Indian bridge, with India B simultaneously surging to the summit of the Seniors division standings.
Women's Section: Four Semifinalists Confirmed
The Women's double round robin concluded with China topping the table on 127.61 Victory Points (VPs), followed by Indonesia on 108.23 VPs, India A on 105.30 VPs, and Japan on 89.14 VPs. All four nations advance to the semifinals on Friday. India B finished their campaign in ninth place with 69.98 VPs, missing the knockout stage.
Seniors Division: India B in Command
India B leads the Seniors table with 144.67 VPs, holding an 11.48 VP cushion over second-placed Australia on 133.19 VPs. Chinese Taipei sits third on 127.44 VPs, while Japan is fourth on 113.82 VPs. Crucially, India A remains in contention in fifth place on 109.94 VPs, trailing Japan by fewer than 4 VPs. Thailand (108.41 VPs) and Bangladesh (107.12 VPs) also remain live, setting up a tense finish with three rounds left on Thursday.
Open Division: India A Well-Placed for Qualification
In the Open (Men's) division, China (163.93 VPs) and Hong Kong China A (159.81 VPs) have already secured their semifinal berths. India A is strongly positioned in third on 154.10 VPs and is considered odds-on to qualify. Bangladesh B holds the fourth spot on 146.47 VPs, closely pressed by India B on 140.03 VPs and Japan on 124.32 VPs. With two matches remaining, the final semifinal berth is still undecided.
Mixed Division: Fourth Spot Still Contested
The Mixed division is the most volatile of the tournament. China A (152.68 VPs), China B (152.05 VPs), and Hong Kong China A (140.37 VPs) have qualified. The fourth place is fiercely contested, with Singapore on 115.14 VPs, Thailand on 111.21 VPs, India A on 110.85 VPs, and Australia B on 104.97 VPs all in the hunt.
What Happens Next
Qualification rounds across all divisions conclude on Thursday, finalising the semifinal line-ups. Knockout play and the Pairs Qualifying Series begin on Friday, with the Grand Finals and closing ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 27 June 2026. The championship is held under the recognition of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Point of View
The host nation will have representation in three of four knockout draws, a result that would justify the MYAS and SAI backing and, more importantly, put Indian contract bridge on the map for a wider audience.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian teams have qualified for the semifinals at the Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026?
India A (women's) has confirmed a place in the Friday semifinals at the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 in Panaji. India A in the Open division is strongly positioned in third place and considered likely to qualify after Thursday's final rounds.
How is India B performing in the Seniors division?
India B leads the Seniors division with 144.67 Victory Points, holding an 11.48 VP advantage over second-placed Australia on 133.19 VPs. Three rounds remain on Thursday, and India A is also in contention in fifth place on 109.94 VPs.
Where is the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships 2026 being held?
The championship is being held at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon in Panaji, Goa. It is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
When do the Grand Finals take place?
The Grand Finals and closing ceremony are scheduled for Saturday, 27 June 2026. Knockout play and the Pairs Qualifying Series begin on Friday after Thursday's final qualification rounds.
Which teams have qualified for the Mixed division semifinals?
China A (152.68 VPs), China B (152.05 VPs), and Hong Kong China A (140.37 VPs) have qualified for the Mixed division semifinals. The fourth spot remains open, with Singapore, Thailand, India A, and Australia B all in contention.
