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World Bridge Federation
World Bridge Federation
World Bridge Federation
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The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is the international governing body of contract bridge. The WBF is responsible for world championship competitions, most of which are conducted at a few multi-event meets on a four-year cycle. The most prestigious championships are those for national teams in Open, Women, and Seniors categories: the Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup, and Senior Bowl (jointly the biennial "World Teams Championships"), and the quadrennial World Team Olympiads, incorporated in the World Mind Sports Games beginning 2008.

Key Information

The World Bridge Federation was founded August 1958 by delegates from Europe, North America, and South America (now Zones 1 to 3). It is incorporated under the laws of Switzerland as a 'non-profit' organization. Harold Stirling Vanderbilt was made the first honorary member of the WBF for his work developing the game. The current president is Jan Kamras of Sweden.

WBF membership now comprises 123 National Contract Bridge Organizations (NBOs) with about 700,000 affiliated members, most of whom participate in bridge competitions locally and many of whom compete nationally and internationally. The NBOs belong to the "zonal organization" in one of eight geographic zones.[1] Each National Contract Bridge Organization agrees to fulfill certain requirements, such as opening its ranks to all its citizens and residents and upholding a standard of ethics acceptable to the WBF.

The World Bridge Federation has a Congress to which each NBO is entitled to send one delegate. The Congress meets every second year, at Team Olympiads and at World Championships. The WBF is administered by an Executive Council which is assisted by the various Committees and Consultants it appoints.[2]

Events

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Summary

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WBF Championships:[3]

The World Bridge Team Championships are held in the odd-numbered years:

  1. World Team Championships (Open Series: Bermuda Bowl)
  2. World Team Championships (Women series: Venice Cup)
  3. World Team Championships (Senior series: Senior Bowl)
  4. World Transnational Open Team (WTOT): World Transnational Open Teams Championship

The World Bridge Games are held every fourth year, in the same year as the Summer Olympics, previously known as World Team Olympiad.

  1. National Open Teams
  2. National Women Teams
  3. National Senior Teams
  4. World Transnational Mixed Team

The World Bridge Series Championships are held every fourth year, in the year of World Cup. It includes the following main events:

  1. World Open Knockout Teams (Rosenblum Cup)
  2. World Women Knockout Teams (McConnell Cup)
  3. World Senior Knockout Teams (Rand Cup)
  4. World Mixed Swiss Teams
  5. World Mixed Pairs
  6. World Open Pairs
  7. World Women Pairs
  8. World Senior Pairs (Hiron Trophy)

Global

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Europe

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Asia

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Asia Pacific (Far East)

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Southeast Asia

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Asia and Middle East (West Asia)

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Africa

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North America

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Central American & Caribbean

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South America

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South Pacific

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Commonwealth

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Others

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Purpose

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The purpose of the World Bridge Federation shall be:

  • to promote, foster, promulgate and develop the sport of Bridge throughout the world;
  • to be in the Olympic Movement, remaining affiliated with International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a recognized International Federation (IF) in conformity with the requirements of the Olympic Charter;
  • to contribute to the achievement of the goals set out in the Olympic Charter, in particular by way of spreading Olympism and Olympic education;
  • to federate National Bridge Associations in all countries;
  • to devise methods and conduct competitions to award international or world championship titles;
  • to establish standard laws for its contests adopting the International Code and supplementing them as may be required, but not inconsistent with them;
  • to support and encourage the promotion of sports ethics;
  • to dedicate its efforts to ensuring that in bridge contests the spirit of fair play prevails;
  • to fight against doping in sport and to take measures, the goal of which is to prevent endangering the health of bridge players.

President and Executive Council

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The World Bridge Federation is run by an Executive Council consisting of delegates from the eight geographical zones, plus the President.

There are five delegates from the European Bridge League (Zone 1), five from the North American Bridge Federation (Zone 2), two from the Pacific Asia Bridge Federation (Zone 6) and one from each of the other five geographical zones. In addition, two more members of the council are elected by the High Level Players Commission. Thus the council has twenty voting members, including the President.

The Executive Council meets annually at the site of the World Championships. There is also a Management Committee which transacts necessary business between Executive Council meetings.

The presidential term is four years from late in even-number non-Olympiad years such as 2014.[4][5]

President Gianarrigo Rona (born 1940, Pavia) was elected at the 2009 World Team Championships and succeeded José Damiani after the 2010 World Bridge Series. He was president of the European Bridge League (EBL) from 1999 to 2010.[6] His term ends at year-end 2022.

On 25 August 2022, in Wroclaw, Poland, Jan Kamras from Gothenburg, Sweden was unanimously elected as WBF President, to take up the office on 1 January 2023. He had been elected European Bridge League president in 2018.[7]

History of the WBF

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The World Bridge Federation was formed on 18 August 1958 in Oslo, Norway, by delegates from Europe, US and South America and Baron Robert de Nexon, from France, an inspiring figure in bridge, was elected as first President.

Charles J. Solomon, from the US (1964–1968) and Count Carl Bonde, from Sweden (1968–1970), succeeded Baron de Nexon as WBF President. With the election of Julius Rosenblum in 1970, the WBF started to assume the figure of a real World Organization. Rosenblum strongly believed that bridge needed to have a visible central organization with a global reach rather than conducting its affairs on a local or continental basis.

When in 1976 Rosenblum decided to retire for health reasons, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño from Switzerland, was elected president. Under his guidance the WBF started its new modern era and in August 1977 was incorporated under the Laws of the State of New York as a "not for profit" organization. The Federation, cast off the mantle of a paternalistic organization, and was re-structured as an International Federation devoted to offering its members the best possible service. The stimulation given by Ortiz-Patiño to building the organizational and administrative structure, to developing the discipline and its image, to introducing new rules and a rigid code of ethics is still effective even today. When he left the WBF in 1986 he was elected President Emeritus by acclamation for his exceptional services to bridge.

Denis Howard, from Australia, succeeded him in the Presidency from 1986 to 1990. Howard was narrowly re-elected for a second four-year term at a fractious Board of Directors meeting in 1990 where its European members favoured another candidate, José Damiani from France. The ongoing split in allegiance ultimately led to Howard resigning in January 1991 with an understanding that Ernesto d’Orsi from Brazil, who had distinguished himself as a leading bridge administrator, would succeed him on an interim basis. In turn in August 1992, d'Orsi left the chair to Robert S. Wolff from the US, one of the top players in the history of bridge, to complete Howard's term of office. In August 1994, José Damiani was elected president.[8]

José Damiani changed the way forward completely, both for the WBF and Bridge itself. Under his leadership, following its initial recognition as an International Organization in 1995 pursuant to Article 29 of the Olympic Charter, the WBF was recognized as an International Sport Federation in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee. In October 2000 in Monaco, the World Bridge Federation was admitted as a member of the GAISF (General Association of International Sports Federations – Olympic and non-Olympic) – now SportAccord – at the General Assembly of this Association.

The WBF also became a member of ARISF (Association of Recognized International Sport Federations) and in October 2002 moved its headquarters to Lausanne (Switzerland), the Olympic City, where it is incorporated under Swiss Law. The WBF is one of the founder members of IMSA (International Mind Sports Association) which was formed on 19 April 2005.

José Damiani left the chair in November 2010 after 16 years of Presidency, achieving tremendous success in developing bridge, introducing new concepts of communication and information, which attracted media, sponsors and supporters; improving technological systems to manage and run the competitions, creating new events participated in by players of any category and developing youth bridge, opening the door and then constantly supporting and improving the teaching of bridge to the pupils in the schools. When he left, was elected WBF Chairman Emeritus by acclamation for his extraordinary services to bridge. In 2013 José Damiani was elected as WBF President Emeritus by acclamation.

Gianarrigo Rona, from Italy, former First Vice-president and EBL President (1999–2010) was elected president in São Paulo September 2009 and took the chair in November 2010. He was re-elected in Bali in 2013.

Zonal Organizations & NBOs

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Regions of Members

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103 Countries in 8 Zones (Updated at 31 March 2022):[9]

Number Region Countries
1 ZONE 1 – European Bridge League (EBL) 46
2 ZONE 2 – North American Bridge Federation (NABF) 3
3 ZONE 3 – Confederación Sudamericana de Bridge (CSB) 10
4 ZONE 4 – Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East (BFAME) 10
5 ZONE 5 – Central American & Caribbean Bridge Federation (CAC) 12
6 ZONE 6 – Asia Pacific Bridge Federation (APBF) 12
7 ZONE 7 – South Pacific Bridge Federation (SPBF) 2
8 ZONE 8 – African Bridge Federation (ABF) 8
Total World Bridge Federation 103

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone1/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone2/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone3/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone4/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone5/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone6/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone7/

http://www.worldbridge.org/bridge-zones/qzone8/

For purposes of administration and furtherance of its objectives and to comply with the International Olympic Committee's principles of the five IOC rings, the WBF structure is divided into five geographical Continental Conferences identical to the IOC's five rings. For organizational reasons the WBF established zones within any of the five Continents which, although part of a Continent, shall be entitled to have at least one member on the Executive and berths in WBF tournaments set forth in Article 9 of the By-Laws. Each zone has its own Zonal Conference of its member NBOs, organizing, managing and administrating its activity and conducting both its own zonal competitions and those delegated to it by the WBF.[10]

The 8 Zonal Conferences are in June 2021:

  1. Zone 1: Europe - European Bridge League (EBL) - Founded in 1947 at Copenhagen - 46 Countries
  2. Zone 2: North America - North American Bridge Federation (NABF) - Founded in 2018 at New York City - 3 Countries
  3. Zone 3: South America - South American Bridge Federation / Confederación Sudamericana de Bridge (CSB) - Founded in 1958 at Buenos Aires - 10 Countries
  4. Zone 4: Asia and Middle East - Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East (BFAME) - Founded in 1979 at Amman - 10 Countries
  5. Zone 5: Central America and Caribbean - Central American & Caribbean Bridge Federation (CAC) - Founded in 1979 at Barbados - 13 Countries
  6. Zone 6: Asia Pacific - Asia Pacific Bridge Federation (APBF) - Founded in 1957 at Bangkok - 12 Countries
  7. Zone 7: South Pacific - South Pacific Bridge Federation (SPBF) - Founded in 1979 at Palmerston North - 2 Countries
  8. Zone 8: Africa - African Bridge Federation (ABF) - Founded in 2000 at Cairo - 8 Countries

The WBF has shown strong and steady growth and its membership now comprises 124 National Bridge Organizations (NBOs) with approximately 1,000,000 affiliated members who participate actively in competitive bridge events (locally, nationally and internationally). Each National Bridge Organization agrees to fulfill certain requirements, such as opening its ranks to all its citizens and residents and upholding a standard of ethics acceptable to the WBF.

Number

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ZONE 1 – European Bridge League (Europe) 384,186 (46 NBOs)

ZONE 2 – North American Bridge Federation (North America) 124,909 (3 NBOs)

ZONE 3 – Confederation Sudamericana de Bridge (South America) 3,575 (10 NBOs)

ZONE 4 – Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East (Asia & Middle East) 7,307 (11 NBOs)

ZONE 5 – Central American & Caribbean Bridge Federation (Central American & Caribbean) 895 (14 NBOs)

ZONE 6 – Asia Pacific Bridge Federation (Asia Pacific) 50,242 (12 NBOs)

ZONE 7 – South Pacific Bridge Federation (South Pacific) 51,420 (04 NBOs)

ZONE 8 – African Bridge Federation (Africa) 6,086 (12 NBOs)

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

World Bridge Federation

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from Grokipedia
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is the international governing body for duplicate , a played by millions worldwide. Founded on August 18, 1958, in , , by delegates from , , and , the WBF organizes global championships, promotes the game's development, and administers its rules through a network of zonal organizations. Incorporated under Swiss law since 1994 and headquartered in , , the WBF serves over 100 national bridge organizations (NBOs) representing approximately 700,000 affiliated players across more than 100 countries (as of 2025, including the recent addition of ). The WBF emerged from the need to unify international bridge governance, replacing earlier bodies like the International Bridge League and building on the sport's growth since the . Initial membership focused on Zones 1 (Europe), 2 (), and 3 (South America), but it expanded to include eight zones by 1969 to reflect global participation. Key milestones include the first World Team Championships in 1960, relocation of headquarters to in 2002 for proximity to international sports bodies, and recognition as a by the (IOC) in 1999. Governed by an Executive Council led by President Franck Riehm (elected in 2025), the WBF operates through its eight zonal confederations, each managing regional competitions and qualifying teams for world events: Zone 1 (European Bridge League, 41 countries), Zone 2 (North American Bridge Federation, 3 countries), Zone 3 (Confederación Sudamericana de Bridge, 9 countries), Zone 4 (Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East, 10 countries), Zone 5 (Central American & Caribbean Bridge Federation, 12 countries), Zone 6 (Asia Pacific Bridge Federation, 11 countries), Zone 7 (South Pacific Bridge Federation, 2 countries), and Zone 8 (African Bridge Federation, 8 countries). This structure ensures equitable representation, with zonal conferences electing council members and influencing policy. The WBF is also a founding member of the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) and the Association of IOC-Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF). The WBF's primary activities center on elite competitions held on a four-year cycle, including the biennial World Bridge Team Championships—featuring the (open teams), Venice Cup (women's teams), and d'Orsi Senior Trophy—along with the quadrennial World Bridge Games in Olympic years. It also hosts annual World Bridge Series events, youth and junior championships, and online tournaments to engage emerging players. These events, broadcast globally, award World Bridge Federation Master Points and foster international collaboration in bridge education and .

History

Founding

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) was formally established on August 18, 1958, in , , during a congress of the European Bridge League (EBL). Delegates from the EBL, the American Contract Bridge League representing the , and the South American Bridge Confederation convened to create a centralized international for . This formation represented a significant evolution from pre-World War II efforts, where the International Bridge League—founded in 1932—had provided limited informal coordination among national organizations, but lacked the structure needed for global expansion in the postwar era. Baron Robert de Nexon, the EBL President from 1951 to 1965 and a prominent French bridge administrator, played a pivotal role in inspiring and leading the initiative; he was elected as the WBF's first President, serving until 1964. At the inaugural meeting, participants adopted the name "World Bridge Federation" and drafted the organization's initial statutes, which outlined its purpose to oversee international competitions and standardize rules worldwide. These early steps laid the foundation for the WBF to replace the defunct International Bridge League and foster unified governance across continents. The WBF was incorporated under Swiss law in 1994.

Key Milestones

The World Bridge Federation organized its inaugural World Team Championships—the World Team Olympiad—in 1960 in , , marking the first major international competition under its auspices following its founding two years earlier. This event built on the Bermuda Bowl's legacy from 1950 but represented a pivotal step in standardizing global team competitions. In the 1970s, the WBF expanded inclusivity by introducing dedicated women's and mixed team events; the Venice Cup for women's teams debuted in 1974 in , , as a challenge match between the United States and European teams, while mixed-team play was introduced in the World Pair Olympiad that year. The WBF received full recognition from the as an International Sports Federation in 1999. By the early , the WBF solidified its operational base by moving its to , , in 2002, enhancing its status as a recognized international sports federation. Membership expanded significantly over the decades, reaching 103 national bridge organizations (NBOs) as of 2025 and representing approximately 700,000 affiliated players worldwide, reflecting the sport's growing global reach across eight zones. The WBF navigated key challenges in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including responses to scandals in the —such as the 1998 Bali incident involving the Manoppo brothers—by instituting a Disciplinary Panel, Anti-Doping Hearing Panel, and WBF Tribunal to enforce ethical standards and autonomy in rulings. The disrupted operations profoundly in 2020-2021, leading to the cancellation of all in-person events for two years and a shift toward online formats to sustain competition and development activities. A recent highlight came with the hosting of the 47th World Bridge Teams Championships in , , from August 20-31, 2025, featuring flagship events like the and Venice Cup at the MCH Herning Kongrescenter.

Governance

Leadership

The leadership of the World Bridge Federation (WBF) is headed by the President, who serves as the and primary representative of the organization. The President is elected by the Executive Council at its first meeting following the ordinary , which occurs every four years in even-numbered non-Olympiad years, such as 2022. Candidates must be members of the Executive Council with at least two years of service and, upon election, resign any zonal representative role. The term lasts four years, commencing on January 1 of the following year, with a maximum of three consecutive full terms permitted. In cases of vacancy, such as due to the incumbent's passing, the Executive Council may a successor to complete the remaining term. The President's powers include chairing meetings of the , Executive , and Management Committee; representing the WBF in legal and formal capacities; supervising daily operations; signing official documents; and appointing or removing the General Counsel and committees, subject to Executive approval. The President submits activity reports to the and implements measures to advance the WBF's objectives, with oversight from relevant bodies. These responsibilities are supported by the Executive , which provides collective decision-making on key matters. The current President is Franck Riehm of , elected on , 2025, to complete the remainder of the previous term until December 31, 2026. In October 2025, Riehm, accompanied by Vice President Eric Laurant, visited , , shortly after the Buffett Cup in , to promote bridge education initiatives and explore future cooperative opportunities with local schools and organizations. Among notable past presidents, Damiani of served from 1986 to 2000 and again from 2002 to 2006, overseeing significant expansions in WBF activities and international recognition for bridge; he was unanimously elected President Emeritus in 2013. Gianarrigo Rona of held the presidency from 2006 to 2022 across three terms, advancing youth programs and organizational infrastructure, and was later honored as President Emeritus. Jan Kamras of was elected in August 2022, assuming office on January 1, 2023, but passed away on March 17, 2025, after serving with dedication to bridge's global development.

Executive Council

The Executive Council serves as the primary of the World Bridge Federation (WBF), responsible for overseeing the organization's strategic direction and operational decisions. It comprises the President and up to 24 other members, totaling up to 25 individuals. The composition includes up to 19 members elected by the eight Zonal Conferences, two appointed by the High Level Players Commission, and three selected by the WBF , along with key appointed roles such as Vice-Presidents and the Treasurer. These members represent diverse geographical zones and bridge expertise, ensuring balanced global input; eligibility requires good standing with a National Bridge Organization and adherence to age limits (under 76 at election, with no service beyond age 80). Current key members include Franck Riehm as President (elected in May 2025), Ben Thompson as 1st Vice-President, and Eric Laurant as 2nd Vice-President, with José Damiani and Gianarrigo Rona serving as Presidents Emeritus in advisory capacities. Additional members encompass zonal representatives such as Gilad Ofir (from Zone 1) and Suzi Subeck as Honorary , reflecting the council's multinational structure. The President chairs the council and is elected by its members at the first post-Congress meeting in electoral years (every four years starting from 2022), with terms aligning to facilitate continuity. The council's functions center on administrative and regulatory oversight, including approving annual budgets, establishing tournament rules and regulations (such as By-Laws, the Code of Ethics, and Anti-Doping policies), and managing membership applications from National Bridge Organizations. It also handles appeals through disciplinary committees, organizes the international bridge calendar in coordination with Zonal Conferences, and ratifies major decisions to maintain the sport's integrity. Under the President's oversight, the council ensures compliance with the and promotes bridge's development globally. Operations involve regular meetings convened at least annually by the President or upon request from half plus one members, with a quorum of half plus one required for decisions via majority vote (no proxies allowed). Major decisions occur during biennial WBF Congress sessions, which serve as forums for electing officers and addressing strategic priorities, supplemented by interim virtual or in-person sessions as needed for urgent matters. In recent actions, the Executive Council approved the 2025 online youth championships, including the Small Federations Online Open Teams event held in October, to enhance accessibility for young players amid global participation challenges. Additionally, it supported the expansion of digital platforms, such as integrating RealBridge for virtual competitions like the February 2024 WBF Online Women Teams event, which drew 64 teams from 31 countries and underscored the council's commitment to innovative technology in bridge governance.

Membership and Structure

National Bridge Organizations

The World Bridge Federation's foundational members are the National Bridge Organizations (NBOs), comprising over 103 such organizations as of 2024, each representing a distinct nation or territory—for instance, the American Contract Bridge League serves as the NBO for the . These NBOs form the primary structure through which the WBF engages with bridge communities worldwide, facilitating national-level promotion and governance of the game. Recent expansions, such as Uganda's admission in June 2025, continue to grow membership. Membership as an NBO requires an organization to actively promote contract bridge within its jurisdiction, fully adhere to the WBF's statutes, by-laws, laws of duplicate bridge, and regulatory codes, and remit annual dues scaled according to the number of affiliated players. Applications for NBO status involve submitting organizational statutes, proof of authorization, and an activity report to the WBF Executive Council, which reviews them in consultation with the relevant zonal conference before approval by majority vote and ratification at the Congress. Failure to maintain these standards, including timely payment of dues, can result in suspension or expulsion. In return, NBOs receive key benefits, including one vote each at the WBF for electing leadership and approving policies, eligibility to bid for hosting major international events, and access to global player rankings, educational resources, and technical support. These privileges enable NBOs to integrate their national activities with the international framework, enhancing competitive opportunities for their members. The WBF's NBO membership has expanded steadily from 29 organizations at its founding in 1958 to over 100 today, reflecting the game's growing global reach, with notable recent additions in and . This growth underscores the WBF's commitment to inclusivity across diverse regions. To ensure ongoing compliance, the WBF conducts audits of NBOs, monitoring adherence to core standards such as anti-doping protocols aligned with the code and fair play guidelines to uphold the integrity of the sport. NBOs are organized into eight zonal conferences for regional administration, though direct ties to the WBF remain individual.

Zonal Organizations

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is divided into eight zonal organizations, each responsible for administering and promoting within its designated geographical region. These zones collectively encompass over 100 national bridge organizations (NBOs) worldwide.
ZoneOrganizationRegionNumber of Member Countries
1European Bridge League (EBL)41
2North American Bridge Federation (NABF)3
3Confederación Sudamericana de Bridge (CSB)9
4Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East (BFAME)Asia & Middle East10
5Central American & Caribbean Bridge Federation (CACBF)Central America & Caribbean12
6African Bridge Federation (ABF)9
7Asia Pacific Bridge Federation (APBF)11
8South Pacific Bridge Federation (SPBF)South Pacific2
Each zonal organization plays a pivotal role in coordinating bridge activities at the regional level, including the organization of qualifiers for WBF world championships, the management of regional competition rules and standards, and the representation of their zone's interests on the WBF Executive Council. Zonal presidents or designated representatives serve on the Council, ensuring balanced global governance with multiple seats allocated to larger zones like and , while smaller zones receive proportional input. The zones foster development through tailored initiatives, such as the European Bridge League's annual European Bridge Championships, which serve as a key platform for continental competition and talent identification. Similarly, the North American Bridge Federation integrates members like and to unify North American bridge governance and facilitate cross-border events. WBF coordination with zonal organizations includes shared funding mechanisms to support development in smaller or emerging zones, such as grants for training programs and in regions with limited resources. This collaboration promotes equitable growth, with revenue from world events partially allocated to zonal projects. In 2025, the African zone saw expansions with the addition of new members like , aimed at enhancing youth inclusion and grassroots development across the continent.

Purpose and Objectives

Mission

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) serves as the international for , with its official purpose defined as "to promote, foster, promulgate, develop and govern the of Bridge internationally." This mission positions bridge as a , emphasizing its intellectual demands and global appeal, in line with recognition from the (IOC). Central to the WBF's mission are core values of fair play, inclusivity, and , underpinned by a strong commitment to ethical standards. Fair play is enforced through regulations that penalize actions infringing on this principle, ensuring competitive integrity. Inclusivity is promoted by prohibiting political, religious, or and upholding across all activities. Educational efforts focus on training and development, particularly for youth, to build skills and foster long-term engagement. Ethics are prioritized via the WBF Code of Ethics and the Laws of , which provide standardized rules for fair competition and have been revised periodically since 1928, with the current 2017 edition governing international play. Strategically, the WBF aims to expand participation and support growth in underrepresented regions through zonal structures and targeted programs for smaller national bridge organizations. This includes initiatives to attract new players and sustain the sport's global footprint, encompassing 103 national bridge organizations (NBOs) representing approximately 700,000 affiliated players, as of 2025. The organization's alignment with IOC recognition in 1999 underscores its vision of bridge as a potential Olympic discipline, enhancing its status as a . In recent years, the WBF has emphasized digital accessibility following the , launching online tournaments and platforms to maintain participation and reach broader audiences. These efforts support the mission's goal of popularizing bridge worldwide, with serving as key vehicles for implementation.

Core Functions

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) serves as the primary regulatory authority for international , enforcing the Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017 and related codes to ensure fair play across global competitions. It maintains a to adjudicate disputes, investigate violations such as unethical behavior or result manipulation, and impose sanctions that member organizations must uphold. Additionally, the WBF oversees world rankings through its Master Points system, where points are awarded based on performance in sanctioned , diminishing annually by 15% to reflect current achievement while accumulating Placing Points for career assessment. In support of bridge's global development, the WBF provides resources and funding to National Bridge Organizations (NBOs), particularly in emerging regions, via initiatives like the Developing Fund established to assist smaller federations with organizational growth. It promotes education through free teaching programs, including translated materials from partner federations, to train instructors and expand player bases in underserved areas. The WBF fosters international relations by maintaining affiliations with bodies such as the (IOC), under which it operates as a recognized federation aligned with Olympic principles, and the (IMSA), collaborating on multi-sport mind games events. It also coordinates with organizations promoting inclusive play, ensuring adaptations for players with disabilities in line with its ethical standards. Administratively, the WBF operates from its headquarters at Maison du Sport International in , , handling daily operations with a small staff and oversight from the Executive Council. Its annual budget, approximately €475,000 in fixed income for 2024, is derived mainly from NBO membership dues and supplemented by event-related revenues and sponsorships, with audited financials ensuring transparency. In recent years, the WBF has updated its Code of Ethics to address modern challenges, emphasizing compliance with anti-doping rules via liaison with the (WADA) and reinforcing guidelines for fair conduct in international play.

Championships and Events

World Championships

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) organizes the flagship World Championships as its premier global tournaments, bringing together elite national teams and players from around the world to compete for international titles. These events include the biennial World Team Championships and quadrennial multi-event competitions, emphasizing team-based formats that test strategy, partnership, and endurance in . Held in various host cities, the championships promote the sport's highest standards and foster international camaraderie among participants. The biennial World Team Championships, contested every odd-numbered year, feature four parallel national team events: the Bermuda Bowl for open teams, the Venice Cup for women's teams, the d'Orsi Senior Trophy for seniors' teams (players who reach age 64 during the year of the championship), and the Wuhan Cup for mixed teams (introduced in 2019). The Bermuda Bowl, the oldest of these, originated in 1950 through initiatives by the United States Bridge Federation and was named after its inaugural host location in Bermuda, predating the WBF's formal establishment in 1958; it has since evolved into a cornerstone of global bridge competition. The Venice Cup debuted in 1974 to champion women's participation, while the d'Orsi Trophy began in 2001 to recognize senior excellence; the Wuhan Cup, named after its sponsoring city, adds a mixed-gender dimension starting from the 2019 edition in China. Each event in the World Team Championships typically involves 24 qualified national teams, structured as an initial round-robin stage followed by rounds, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, with matches played in segments of 12 to 16 boards to ensure precision and fairness. Qualification occurs through zonal championships organized by the WBF's regional bodies, allocating slots based on zone size and performance—for instance, larger zones like receive multiple entries. The 47th edition was held from August 20–31, 2025, in , , marking the first time the full set of four team events was hosted there; USA I won the , the the Venice Cup, the d'Orsi Senior Trophy, and the Cup. Complementing the team focus, the WBF hosts the quadrennial World Bridge Games every four years during Olympic summer years, open to representative teams and individual players from all member nations without strict qualification barriers, allowing broader participation since its origins as the in 1960. This event encompasses open, women's, seniors', and mixed teams, alongside pairs and individual competitions, emphasizing inclusivity and diverse formats. In even-numbered non-leap years, the World Bridge Series serves as a transnational counterpart, featuring open-entry events such as the Rosenblum Cup for open teams, McConnell Cup for women's teams, and Rand Cup for seniors' teams, where players form squads across nationalities to compete in knockout-style tournaments. Winners in all categories receive gold, silver, and bronze medals, symbolizing world supremacy, with additional recognition for exemplary performance through WBF and honors. These championships not only crown champions but also drive the evolution of bridge tactics and international standards.

Zonal and Regional Events

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) divides the world into eight zones, each organizing championships that feature team and pairs events, typically held annually or biennially, to promote competitive bridge and select representatives for global competitions. These zonal events follow standardized formats such as round-robin matches followed by knockouts for teams, and multiple qualifying rounds for pairs, ensuring fair qualification pathways to WBF world championships. The events emphasize open, women's, seniors', and mixed categories, fostering regional development while adhering to WBF regulations on scoring and play. A prominent example is the European Open Bridge Championships, organized biennially by the European Bridge League under WBF oversight, attracting over 50 teams across categories in recent editions, such as the 56th event in , , in 2024 with 30 open teams alone. These championships include open, women's, seniors', and mixed team events, serving as key qualifiers for world titles like the . Similarly, the Asian Pacific Bridge Championships, held annually by the Asia Pacific Bridge Federation, feature team and pairs competitions in , , in 2025 as the 54th edition, with formats including round-robin and knockout stages to determine zonal qualifiers. In South America, the biennial South American Transnational Championships highlight open and women's team events, as seen in the 2025 edition in Cali, Colombia, from October 16-22, utilizing a Swiss teams format leading to semifinals and finals for qualification purposes. Other notable zonal events include the quadrennial Commonwealth Nations Bridge Championships, held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games every four years, with team and pairs competitions for participation from nations like Australia, India, and England. In Africa, the African Cities Cup and broader zonal team events, such as the 2025 African Championships crowning South Africa in open teams, provide platforms for emerging players through knockout and round-robin structures. The WBF plays a central role in these events by standardizing rules across zones, including the Laws of , and managing seeding for global championships based on zonal results to ensure equitable representation. For instance, top finishers from zonal events receive automatic berths or favorable seeding in world team championships. Recent highlights include the 2025 European Open and Women Champions Cups in , , from November 13-15, featuring top teams from prior championships in a compact cup format. Additionally, the 2024 Southeast Asia Bridge Federation Championships in September incorporated open pairs, mixed teams, and club events, qualifying participants for broader Asian Pacific contention.

Youth and Online Initiatives

Youth Programs

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) maintains dedicated youth programs to cultivate bridge skills among players under 26, emphasizing education, competition, and international collaboration as essential to the sport's long-term vitality. These programs feature biennial World Youth Championships across Under-26, Under-21, and Under-16 categories for both teams and pairs, providing competitive platforms that draw participants from national bridge organizations (NBOs) globally. The 8th World Youth Transnational Championships occurred in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 13 to 18, 2024, immediately following the European Youth Teams Championships. The 19th World Youth Teams Championships took place in , from July 12 to 17, 2025, with 98 teams representing 33 countries. To aid skill development, the WBF distributes teaching materials like "Bridge – The #1 Mindsport," a resource tailored for introducing the game to beginners, especially in educational settings, and supports its adaptation for junior programs. The organization further provides grants via its Youth Fund for NBOs to host junior camps and offers scholarships, including through the Joan Gerard Youth Awards established in 1989, to subsidize travel and participation costs for young players attending WBF events. On a global scale, the WBF assists various NBOs in launching local youth initiatives, such as teaching programs and youth events, with targeted efforts to integrate bridge into schools and youth organizations in developing regions including and . This support helps bridge gaps in resources for smaller federations and promotes grassroots growth. Outcomes include robust participation, as evidenced by over 500 youth players in the 2025 World Youth Teams Championships alone, alongside sustained development through NBO-led camps and awards. The WBF partners with NBOs like the Bridge Federation (USBF) to enhance , incorporating online elements for broader .

Online Activities

The World Bridge Federation (WBF) expanded its online activities significantly following the , transitioning from pilot virtual events to structured international competitions accessible via digital platforms. These initiatives aim to broaden global participation in by leveraging internet-connected devices, enabling players worldwide to compete without physical presence. WBF online tournaments are primarily hosted on platforms such as (BBO), Funbridge, and RealBridge, which support real-time play, scoring, and broadcasting. For instance, the annual World Online Championship, launched in 2023, utilizes Funbridge and BBO to facilitate open participation across categories like teams and pairs, with matches streamed live for spectators. Similarly, the Small Federations Online Open Teams, designed for smaller national bridge organizations, was held on RealBridge in October 2025, concluding with as the winner after a multi-stage format spanning October 2–12. Other notable events include the Yeh Online Bridge World Cup for pairs, first organized in 2016 but continuing under WBF auspices, and the World Computer-Bridge Championship, an annual robot-versus-robot competition integrated into broader WBF series since 1997, often featuring online elements for remote viewing and analysis. Youth integration is a key focus within these digital efforts, with dedicated online championships promoting accessibility for younger players. The Teams Online Championship provides a virtual pathway for under-26 competitors, complementing in-person youth programs by allowing zonal qualifiers to advance globally via platforms like BBO. Likewise, the World Online University Team Championships, co-organized with the (FISU), enable university teams to compete internationally online, with the sixth edition held on BBO in March 2019. Participation in WBF events has grown from initial pandemic-era trials to attracting thousands of players annually by 2025, exemplified by the eBridge Cup qualification phase in September 2025, which drew competitors from around the world on BBO and Funbridge for prizes and . To ensure fair play in virtual settings, WBF enforces regulations adapted from in-person standards, including prohibitions on external assistance and requirements for independent device use during matches, though specific online adaptations like virtual screen protocols continue to evolve. Looking ahead, WBF is exploring AI integration for enhanced training, including human-versus-AI formats announced in July 2025 to provide elite players with innovative practice opportunities. Additionally, the organization launched an official Channel on November 4, 2025, to deliver real-time updates on events and initiatives, improving digital engagement for the global bridge community.

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