2018 UK BG Champions league
Format and Qualification
Once again in 2018, the Champions League will consist of 40 players invited from six regional leagues in the UK. The format will be very similiar to 2017. There will be eight qualification groups of five players in 2018 H1. Players face four other opponents three times in the group stage with the top two players in each group proceeding to the 16-player Champions League Final Stage in 2018 H2.
The key change in 2018 is that all the remaining finishers in each group will play in a 24-player Consolation Tournament in 2018 H2 – The UK Backgammon Champions League Challenge. Third place finishers in each group will receive a bye in the Challenge.
The number of Champions League places allocated to each regional league is dependent on the number of players in each league on 1st August 2017. The ratio of players in each league against the total number of league players in the UK overall is used to allocate Champions League places. (Regional leagues are only considered for allocation if they use score difference or average at some stage of their tie-breakers.)
As a result of this ratio, the following Champions League places have been allocated to each regional league for 2018 (2017 figures in brackets if different):
Seeding and the Draw for the Qualification Groups
Five pots are used for the draw with one player from each pot going into each individual qualification group.
All other aspects of the competition remain the same as in 2017 which you can read about here.
Please note that this all this is subject to change without notice if in the best interests of the competition.
The key change in 2018 is that all the remaining finishers in each group will play in a 24-player Consolation Tournament in 2018 H2 – The UK Backgammon Champions League Challenge. Third place finishers in each group will receive a bye in the Challenge.
The number of Champions League places allocated to each regional league is dependent on the number of players in each league on 1st August 2017. The ratio of players in each league against the total number of league players in the UK overall is used to allocate Champions League places. (Regional leagues are only considered for allocation if they use score difference or average at some stage of their tie-breakers.)
As a result of this ratio, the following Champions League places have been allocated to each regional league for 2018 (2017 figures in brackets if different):
- London – 14 (15)
- Bristol - 7
- North-West – 5
- Worcester - 5
- Midlands – 5 (4)
- Sussex – 3 (2)
- 2017 Champions League Winner - 1
- One of the 14 Champions League places allocated to London will be offered to the winner of the 2017 London League Cup. If the winner of the League Cup has already qualified for the Champions League, their place will be offered to the League Cup runner-up. Should that person have qualified as well, the place will go to the 14th highest finisher in the London League.
Seeding and the Draw for the Qualification Groups
Five pots are used for the draw with one player from each pot going into each individual qualification group.
- Pot 1 - Winner of the UK Champions League 2017; top 7 finishers in Bristol League
- Pot 2 – 1st-8th finishers in London League
- Pot 3 – All 5 North-West Players; 9-11th finishers London League
- Pot 4 – All 5 Worcester players; 12-13th finishers London League plus League Cup winner
- Pot 5 – All 5 Midland players; All 3 Sussex players
All other aspects of the competition remain the same as in 2017 which you can read about here.
Please note that this all this is subject to change without notice if in the best interests of the competition.