The Mark Bates LTD National Championships will be an even greater and better opportunity for players and spectators in 2026, with a renewed format that brings together qualifications and the most important draw under one roof.
For the first time in recent years, the opening day of the Nationals – Friday 20 March in David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham – will organize the qualifying rounds for men and women’s singles. It will be an open tournament, which means that all eligible players can enter the singles of the gentlemen or ladies’ snonbles.
They will be against each other if one of the 24 players in every genus will go to the main table on Saturday, where eight players invited based on rankings or joker signs, will wait in the round of 32.
Dubbels remains a central part of the flagship competition, with the early rounds that contribute to the spectacle on Friday and continue until Saturday.
On Sunday, Finals Day, when the location is transformed to the ‘Show Court’ setup where a day with exciting competitions will see the titles decide.
The change, approved by the Competitions Committee, is designed to create a vibrant atmosphere, with a broader range of talent and gives more players the opportunity to compete for spectators on the largest national stage of sport. For fans it means more competitions, more drama and more reasons to be part of the promotion.
Further details, including how the double formats will work, will be published in due course. The qualification tournament, originally planned for 10-11 January 2026, is now removed from the calendar.
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