Grand National Teams (GNT)

The ACBL Grand National Teams (GNT) (Wikipedia article) is one of two annual ACBL‑wide open contests in bridge — the other being the pair event, the North American Pairs (NAP) (Wikipedia article). The GNT includes club team games and district finals and culminates in a national championship at the Summer NABC. Each of the 25 ACBL districts may send up to four skill‑level teams to the national finals, with each district setting its own rules for selecting those teams.

The 2026‑2027 GNT season unfolds in three stages:

• September – February — Club Qualifying: Clubs throughout District 6 run GNT team games which award higher than usual masterpoints. IMPORTANT NOTE: for 2026‑2027, club qualifying is not required for any bracket to play in the District 6 finals. That said, playing in club games is a great way to earn extra masterpoints while practicing team play. Club GNT team game schedule.
• District 6 Finals: Form a 4‑to‑6‑person team with other District 6 members whose masterpoint totals match your desired flight. Qualifying masterpoint totals are based on August 2026 ACBLScore data. The District 6 finals have four flights:
  • Open (0‑∞)
  • A (0‑6000)
  • B (0‑3000)
  • C (0‑750 / Non‑Lifemaster)
  The finals dates are intentionally staggered so you can compete in more than one flight if you qualify. District 6 GNT information and registration provides dates, times, locations, and registration details. IMPORTANT: pre-registration is required. For the 2026‑2027 season:
  • Open Championship Flight: register by January 21, 2027. First weekend: January 30–31, 2027, at Newport Mill Middle School, Kensington, MD. Second weekend: February 20–21, 2027, at Fairfax Elks Lodge, Fairfax, VA.
  • A Flight (0–6000 MP): register by February 25, 2027. First weekend: March 6–7, 2027, at Veirs Mill Park Building, Wheaton, MD. Second weekend: April 3–4, 2027, location TBD.
  • B Flight (0–3000 MP): register by January 21, 2027. One weekend: January 30–31, 2027, at Newport Mill Middle School, Kensington, MD.
  • C Flight (NLM/0–750 MP): register by January 14, 2027. One day, two sessions at each of two separate sites: North — Sunday, January 31, 2027, at Newport Mill Middle School, Kensington, MD; South — Saturday, January 30, 2027, at Richmond Bridge Center, Richmond, VA.
  See the District 6 conditions of contest for full details. Registration is online; payment information will be provided when you register.
• Summer 2027 — National Championship: The winning team from each flight earns the right to represent District 6 at the 2027 Summer NABC in Las Vegas NV. District 6 provides financial subsidies to its qualifying teams to help offset the cost of travel to the NABC. ACBL does not provide these subsidies, and not all districts provide financial support.

Questions? Call Mary Peters at 410‑531‑3163 or email her at mfpeters496@verizon.net.