▼Tournament Outline ▼Pre-Registration ▼On-site Registration ▼Participation Process
Tournament Outline
Tournament System
It will be held in a two-stage format consisting of a League Stage and a Knockout Stage.
League Stage
An 8-round Swiss-system tournament with elimination upon reaching three losses (with byes awarded to top-ranked players) will be held.
Players who are not eliminated will advance to the Knockout Stage.
If the number of non-eliminated players does not reach 16, the highest-ranked players corresponding to the shortage will receive a bye from the playoff round and advance directly to the quarterfinals.
Knockout Stage
The champion will be determined by a single-elimination tournament.
Match Format
All matches
9-point matches
Clock: 18 minutes & 12 seconds delay
Eligible for JBS rating matches
Schedule
Registration period
April 1, 2026, to April 28, 2026 (pre-registration)
On-site Registration
May 3, 2026
Tournament
May 3, 2026, to May 5, 2026
Final
May 5, 2026
Eligibility
JBS members only.
Associate Members and Visitors may participate upon completing the Full Membership registration process.
Entry Fee
JBS Members
¥25,000 (advance registration) / ¥30,000 (on-site registration)
BMAB Grandmasters
¥15,000 (advance registration) / ¥20,000 (on-site registration)
Applicants must be certified as Grandmaster G3 or higher under the “BMAB Title” at the time of registration.
Prizes
Champion
Free entry to the "55th Japan Open"
Invitation to the "8th SAIO All-Star series 2027"
Secured spot on the Japanese team for the "WBGF World Team Championship 2027" *Japanese Only
VIP room access at the "Backgammon Festival 2027"
Top 4 (including the champion)
Championship trophy or certificate
Prizes specified by JBS
Pre-Registration
Please complete both (1) Entry Application and (2) Payment of the Entry Fee.
If both steps are not completed, your advance registration will be considered invalid.
1. Entry Application
Please proceed to the application form via the “Advance Registration” page and enter the required information.
Please note that completion of the “Gammoner Survey” is mandatory prior to submitting your advance registration. We appreciate your cooperation.
2. Payment of Entry Fee
Please refer to the “Advance Registration” page and make your payment accordingly.
You may choose either bank transfer or credit card payment. Please ensure that the payment amount is correct.
3. Confirmation of Advance Registration
Once the Tournament Organizing Committee confirms that your advance registration has been completed, your name will be posted on the “54th Japan Open – League Stage” pairing page.
Please be sure to verify that your registration has been properly completed.
Participants who have completed advance registration do not need to register on-site. Please arrive at the venue by the scheduled match start time.
On-site Registration
Registration Period
May 3, 2026, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Conducted at the "BACKGAMMON FESTIVAL" general reception
Entry Procedure
Please fill in your Name, JBS Membership Category, and BMAB Title status on the application form, and pay the prescribed entry fee.
Payment will be accepted in cash only.
Participation Process
Player Registration Confirmation
Final participants will be confirmed at 1:00 PM on May 3, 2026.
Please be sure to check that your name appears on the “54th Japan Open – League Stage” pairing page (currently not yet published).
If your name is not listed, your entry registration has not been completed. Please contact the Tournament Organizing Committee immediately.
Event Participation
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:10 PM on May 3, 2026, prior to the first round. Attendance is not mandatory.
Please check the pairing sheet and proceed to your assigned board by 2:20 PM.
Matches will begin following the Opening Ceremony upon the signal of the Tournament Organizing Committee.
The winner of each match must report the result to the Tournament Organizing Committee.
Once all matches in the round have been completed, the next opponents will be announced.
Players will be eliminated and dismissed upon reaching three losses.
Among the eliminated players, the highest-ranked players will automatically qualify for the 2nd Tokyo Open.
Awards Ceremony
Top finishers (4th place and above) will be awarded at the ceremony starting at 7:00 PM on May 5, 2026. Please attend.