A new BP1000 format that players love
⚡ The Equinox Arena 2026, a brand-new BP1000 format, delivered on all its promises. A major new highlight in the Funbridge calendar, the tournament brought together 3,993 players during the qualifiers, before 512 qualified players battled it out in a knockout final stage to claim the very first Equinox Arena title.
With 10 times more Bridge Points at stake, the pressure was at its peak: players first had to perform in pair tournaments, then survive a series of sudden-death duels. A hybrid, demanding and spectacular format, where every match could change a player’s fate. A look back at this first edition and a particularly intense final stage.
Summary
Qualifications: securing a spot among the top 512
Qualifications: securing a spot among the top 512 💪
The qualification phase of the Equinox Arena 2026 brought together 3,993 players, all aiming to secure a spot in the final stage and take full advantage of this new BP1000 format.
From March 16 to 19, players competed to finish among the top 512 and earn their place in the knockout bracket. The qualification rankings also awarded BP1000, adding an extra layer of pressure even before the start of the elimination matches.
In total, 512 players secured their qualification for the knockout stage, representing approximately 12.8% of all participants. Here are the top 10 players from the qualification phase:
Final stage: the knockout arena ✨
Accessible only to qualified players, the final stage of the Equinox Arena plunged the 512 survivors into a knockout bracket where every match could be their last.
From March 20, players competed in 16-board KO matches, with 24 hours to play each round. A fast-paced, high-pressure format with no safety net, unlike traditional BP1000 events: here, it was no longer just about scoring well, but about defeating your opponent to keep advancing.
The first edition of the Equinox Arena once again highlights the international reach of Funbridge. France stands out with 143 participants, well ahead of Poland (58) and Norway (36). Several other European countries follow, including Belgium (27) and Sweden (26), reflecting both the diversity and the overall level of competition throughout the tournament.
This new hybrid format demands a complete skill set: performing well in the qualifiers, then showing consistency, composure, and resilience in head-to-head matches. A true test of mental endurance!
Equinox Arena 2026 podium
🥇 Valardent (Belgium) claimed victory in this first edition of the Equinox Arena, earning 395 Diamonds. In this brand-new format, he delivered consistent performances throughout the bracket to go all the way and secure his place in the tournament’s history.
🥈 cannibal_jack (France) finished in 2nd place, taking home 240 Diamonds after an impressive run in this high-intensity final stage.
🥉 PrimaLucky (Czech Republic) completed the podium with 185 Diamonds, while Jeter2452 (Taiwan), also a semi-finalist, earned 135 Diamonds.
Congratulations to this top 4, which perfectly reflects the demanding nature of this new BP1000 and the difficulty of a format where every match is decisive.
Valardent narrowly escaped in the quarterfinals!
One of the most striking moments of the final stage came in the quarterfinals, with a particularly rare scenario. Facing Arhan Topal, Valardent managed to advance… without ever truly taking the lead on the scoreboard.
Both players finished in a perfect tie (16–16), but it was ultimately the Belgian who advanced, having completed his 16 boards exactly three minutes before his opponent. A result as cruel as it was spectacular!
An extremely close match
Another match decided at the very last moment: the duel between VBRK and Benicio. After 14 perfectly balanced boards, neither player managed to gain an edge. Everything came down to the final boards, where VBRK conceded 3 IMPs in a high-pressure finish, allowing Benicio to edge through right at the end.
109 IMPs exchanged!
A spectacular match also saw SamVer face Monika Kümmel in a high-action encounter full of swings and IMP exchanges. In the end, SamVer secured a dominant 71–38 victory, showcasing an aggressive and dynamic style where every board helped widen the gap.
Thank you to all participants 🫵
A huge congratulations to the 3,993 players who took part in the qualifiers, and especially to the 512 players who made it through to the final stage of this first Equinox Arena.
💬 We’d love to hear your feedback:
What did you think of this new format?
Which matches or moments stood out to you?
And of course, see you very soon for more competitions on Funbridge!
