2019 UK BG Champions league
Format and Qualification
For 2019, the Champions League will be reduced to 32 players (from 40 in 2018) invited from six regional leagues in the UK. The reason for reducing the numbers is to maintain and reflect the superior skill levels of participating players. There will be eight qualification groups of four players in 2019 H1. Players face three other Group opponents playing three 11-point matches in the group stage with the top two players in each group proceeding to the 16-player Champions League Final Stage in 2019 H2.
The remaining two finishers in each group will play in a 16-player Consolation Tournament in 2019 H2 – The UK Backgammon Champions League Challenge.
Progress into the Final and Challenge Stages are seeded by Group Stage finishing position.
The number of Champions League places allocated to each regional league is dependent on the number of players in each league on 1st August 2018. 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 the 2018 ratio, the following Champions League places have been allocated to each regional league for 2019 (2018 figures in brackets):
Seeding and the Draw for the Qualification Groups
Four 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 2018 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 remaining two finishers in each group will play in a 16-player Consolation Tournament in 2019 H2 – The UK Backgammon Champions League Challenge.
Progress into the Final and Challenge Stages are seeded by Group Stage finishing position.
The number of Champions League places allocated to each regional league is dependent on the number of players in each league on 1st August 2018. 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 the 2018 ratio, the following Champions League places have been allocated to each regional league for 2019 (2018 figures in brackets):
- London – 12 (14)
- Bristol – 6 (7)
- North-West – 4 (5)
- Worcester – 4 (4)
- Midlands – 3 (5)
- Sussex – 2 (3)
- 2018 Champions League Winner - 1
- One of the 12 Champions League places allocated to London will be offered to the winner of the 2018 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 12th highest finisher in the London League.
Seeding and the Draw for the Qualification Groups
Four pots are used for the draw with one player from each pot going into each individual qualification group.
- Pot 1 - 1st-8th finishers in London League
- Pot 2 – All Bristol and Sussex finishers
- Pot 3 – All North-West finishers and 9th-11th in London League plus League Cup winner
- Pot 4 – All Worcester and Midlands finishers plus 2018 Champions League Winner
All other aspects of the competition remain the same as in 2018 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.