2024 UK BG Champions league
Format and Qualification
For 2024, the Champions League will continue to consist of 32 qualified players invited from nine regional leagues in the UK. In the Group Stage, there will be eight qualification groups of four players in 2024 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 2024 H2.
The remaining two finishers in each group will play in a 16-player Consolation Tournament in 2024 H2 – The UK Backgammon Champions League Challenge.
The number of Champions League places allocated to each regional league is dependent on the number of players in each league on 1s Oct 2023. 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 2024 ratio, the following Champions League places have been allocated to each regional league for 2024 (2023 figures in brackets):
*Due proximity and overlap the Sussex & Brighton leagues and the Midlands & Birmingham leagues are sharing their allocation.
Within each regional league, individual Champions League places are allocated based on the final highest finishing positions in the top division at the end of 2023. For example, the two highest-placed available players in Division One of the Cambridge League at the end of 2023 Q4 would be invited. If a player declines to take part in the Champions League, his/her position is then offered to the next highest finisher in that same league.
Draw for the Qualification Groups
Four pots are used for the draw with one player from each pot going into each individual qualification group.
Online matches can be Clock Preference; Backgammon Studio (Live1 clock setting) or Backgammon Galaxy (Normal setting) or similar on Backgammon Hub are to be used for clocked online matches unless otherwise agreed by both players.
All other aspects of the competition remain the same as in 2023 which you can read about here.
UKBGF Rules adopted with the exception of their new Premature Rolls Rule. In the Champions League, all premature rolls stand with no re-roll.
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 2024 H2 – The UK Backgammon Champions League Challenge.
The number of Champions League places allocated to each regional league is dependent on the number of players in each league on 1s Oct 2023. 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 2024 ratio, the following Champions League places have been allocated to each regional league for 2024 (2023 figures in brackets):
- London – 11 (11)
- Bristol – 6 (5)
- North-West – 2 (3)
- Worcester – 2 (3)
- Midlands – 3 (3)
- Cambridge - 2 (1)
- Brighton - 2 (2)
- Sussex – 1 (2)
- Birmingham 2 (1)
- 2023 Champions League Winner - 1
*Due proximity and overlap the Sussex & Brighton leagues and the Midlands & Birmingham leagues are sharing their allocation.
Within each regional league, individual Champions League places are allocated based on the final highest finishing positions in the top division at the end of 2023. For example, the two highest-placed available players in Division One of the Cambridge League at the end of 2023 Q4 would be invited. If a player declines to take part in the Champions League, his/her position is then offered to the next highest finisher in that same league.
- One of the 11 Champions League places allocated to London will be offered to the winner of the 2023 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 11th highest finisher in the London League.
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 & Worcester qualifiers
- Pot 3 – All Sussex, Brighton, Midlands & Birmingham qualifiers
- Pot 4 – All North-West, Cambridge & remaining London qualifiers plus the 2023 Champions League Winner
Online matches can be Clock Preference; Backgammon Studio (Live1 clock setting) or Backgammon Galaxy (Normal setting) or similar on Backgammon Hub are to be used for clocked online matches unless otherwise agreed by both players.
All other aspects of the competition remain the same as in 2023 which you can read about here.
UKBGF Rules adopted with the exception of their new Premature Rolls Rule. In the Champions League, all premature rolls stand with no re-roll.
Please note that this all this is subject to change without notice if in the best interests of the competition.
