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Provisional Forward Tournament Schedule


Cautionary Notes

This provisional forward calendar is published here to assist:

Please note that this information is primarily to help Croquet England and club planning, and is therefore provisional. Dates and venues are subject to change, particularly for later years. Any forward planning should bear this in mind. Dates and venues are finalised at the time the annual Croquet England Fixtures Calendar is published for the appropriate year. In the event of any discrepancy, the Fixtures Calendar should be considered correct.

Scheduling Assumptions are recorded to aid Croquet England's collective memory, but are non-definitive and may be changed (temporarily or permanently) by the relevant committee(s). Each event has an Event Group, which together with the Scheduling Principles are used to avoid clashes between major events. The number of Courts is provided as a guide for fixtures organised by Croquet England; the actual number of courts will vary with the number of entries. The Court Fee is similarly provided for guidance (see Court and Equipment Hire Fees for details), but is subject to agreement with the relevant Tournaments Committee each year. This only applies to fixtures organised by Croquet England. Separate arrangements apply to World and European events; arrangements for club events are a matter for the host club.

Applications to Host Events

Applications to host an event should be made to the relevant Tournaments Committee. Requests will be solicited by the office at the appropriate time. The lawns column is an approximation of the number of lawns required to host the event and is provided as guidance to clubs.

Provisional Calendar

Key:

This table lists all fixtures organised by Croquet England and selected club and international events. It is sorted primarily for the 2027 season.

Event Event Group AC/GC Courts Court Fee 2025 2026 2027 Scheduling Assumptions
Croquet England Women vs. Inter-Counties Division 2 Winners E AC - - 29-30 Mar Match v Lancashire. At Surbiton

TBA

TBA, Division 2 Inter-County Champions 2025

TBA TBA, Division 2 Inter-County Champions 2025 Date arranged by the two teams

WCF U21 GC World Championship

A

GC

-

-

14-18 April

Sarasota, Florida, USA

N/A

N/A

TBA

Egypt

Every two years, according to WCF 10-year schedule
Coles C AC - - 3-5 May Cheltenham 2-4 May Cheltenham 7-9 May Cheltenham Cheltenham; Saturday-Monday May day bank holiday weekend
Peels C AC 5-6 Base 8-11 May Nottingham 7-10 May Nottingham 13-16 May Nottingham Second weekend in May
Western Championship C AC - - 9-11 May East Dorset 8-11 May East Dorset 14-16 May East Dorset Second weekend in May
ERC European GC Championship - GC 8+ - 15-18 May Budleigh 14-17 May Nottingham TBA TBA Future schedule to be determined by European Regional Committee of the WCF
AC Inter-Counties B AC 15 Tournament 24-27 May Sussex & Compton 23-26 May Sussex & Compton 29 May-1 Jun Sussex & Compton Saturday-Tuesday, including the Spring Bank Holiday Monday.

AC Home Internationals

A

AC

4-5

Tournament

7-8 Jun

Budleigh

6-7 Jun

Carrickmines, Ireland

17-18 Jul

TBA

Second weekend in June, except when Ireland host the GC Home Internationals in which case swap the AC and GC Home Internationals
Men's & Women's B AC 8+ Tournament 11-15 Jun Nottingham (4 courts) 10-14 Jun Surbiton 9-13 Jun TBA Wednesday to Sunday; finishing on the third weekend in June

England v Spain

A

GC

4-6

Tournament

2-4 May

Tambre, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

19-21 Jun

England

TBA

Spain

Host alternates between England and Spain.
AC Veterans (Over 65) D AC 10 Tournament 16-21 Jun Cheltenham 15-20 Jun TBA 14-19 Jun TBA Monday-Saturday, finishing on the last Saturday in June
Juniors' Championship D AC/GC - Base 21-22 June 2025 Nottingham TBA TBA TBA TBA  
Schools' Championship D AC/GC - Base 21-22 June 2025 Nottingham TBA TBA TBA TBA  
GC Open Championship B GC 8+ Tournament 24-29 Jun Budleigh 23-28 Jun Budleigh 22-27 Jun TBA Ends on the last Sunday in June
Championship of the East Midlands C AC - - 27-29 Jun Nottingham 26-28 Jun Nottingham 25-27 Jun Nottingham Friday-Sunday; Weekend before the AC Opens
AC Open Championships B AC 8+ Enhanced 5-13 Jul Surbiton 4-12 Jul Nottingham 3-11 Jul TBA Saturday-Sunday (9 days), starting on the first Saturday in July

GC Home Internationals

A

GC

4/5

Tournament

19-20 Jul

Balgreen, Scotland

18-19 Jul

TBA

TBA

Ireland

Third weekend in July, except when Ireland host in which case swap the dates between the AC and GC Home Internationals
AC Seniors (Over 50) D AC 10 Tournament 14-19 Jul Budleigh 13-18 Jul Budleigh 12-17 Jul TBA Monday-Saturday, starting after the AC Opens
GC Veterans (Over 60) D GC 6 Tournament 22-24 Jul Sussex 21-23 Jul Sussex 20-22 Jul TBA Tue-Thu in 3rd/4th week in Jul (after AC Seniors)
Eastern Championship C AC 4 - 25-27 Jul Colchester 24-26 Jul TBC Wrest Park TBC 23-25 Jul Colchester TBC Fri-Mon, two weeks after the end of the Opens. Venue determined by EACF.
GC English National Doubles (Ranelagh Cups) B GC 6 Tournament 26-27 Jul Budleigh 25-26 Jul Cheltenham 24-25 Jul TBA Last weekend in July
ERC Womens GC European Championship - GC 4+ - N/A N/A TBA Carrickmines, Dublin TBA TBA Arranged by the WCF European Regional Committee

MacRobertson Shield (World AC Team Championship Tier 1)

A

AC

-

-

N/A N/A

24 Jul-9 Aug

Roehampton, Hurlingham, Southwick, Surbiton

N/A N/A Every four years, according to WCF 10-year schedule

WCF World AC Team Championship Tier 2

A

AC

-

-

N/A N/A

25-30 Jul

Nottingham

N/A N/A Every four years, according to WCF 10-year schedule

WCF World AC Team Championship Tier 3

A

AC

-

-

N/A N/A

25-30 Jul

Nottingham

N/A N/A Every four years, according to WCF 10-year schedule
Championship of Surrey C AC - - 1-3 Aug Surbiton 31 Jul - 2 Aug Surbiton N/A TBA Friday-Sunday; First weekend in August

WCF World GC Team Championship Tier 2

A

GC

-

-

5-10 Aug

Sussex, England

N/A N/A N/A N/A Every four years, according to WCF 10-year schedule

WCF World GC Team Championship Tier 3

A

GC

-

-

5-10 Aug

Sussex, England

N/A N/A N/A N/A Every four years, according to WCF 10-year schedule

Solomon Trophy

A

AC

4

Enhanced

7-10 Aug

Budleigh

N/A N/A TBA TBA Dates agreed with the USCA. Two events between each MacRobertson Shield.
GC Women's Open Championship C GC 4 Tournament 30-31 Aug Surbiton 1-2 Aug Colchester 8-9 Aug TBA Second weekend in August
McWeeney (Croquet England v CAI) - AC 3 Base 5-6 Jul Ramsgate

15-16 Aug

TBC

TBA, Ireland 14-15 Aug TBA, England Hosted in Ireland alternate years, date agreed with CAI each year.
ERC AC European Championship - AC 4 - N/A N/A TBD TBD TBA TBA Every 2 years, according ERC schedule
GC Inter-Counties Division 1 B GC 11 Tournament 16-17 Aug Sussex 22-23 Aug Cheltenham 21-22 Aug Cheltenham Sat-Sun on weekend before the Summer Bank Holiday weekend
GC Inter-Counties Division 2 B GC 8 Tournament 16-17 Aug Cheltenham 22-23 Aug Sussex 21-22 Aug Sussex Sat-Sun on weekend before the Summer Bank Holiday weekend
Croquet England v SCA - AC - Base 30-31 Aug Meadows, Scotland 5-6 Sep TBA (England) 4-5 Sep TBA (Scotland) Hosted in Scotland in alternate years
ERC European U21 GC Championship - GC - - 17-20 Aug Telc, Czech Republic N/A N/A TBA TBA Every two years, according to ERC schedule
Northern Championship C AC 4 - 22-25 Aug Bowdon 28-31 Aug Bowdon 27-30 Aug Bowdon Friday-Monday, finishing on the Summer Bank Holiday Monday, at Bowdon

GC First Eight
(Ricki Savage Memorial)

B GC 4 Tournament 23-25 Aug Ramsgate 28-31 Aug Sidmouth 28-30 Aug TBA Saturday-Monday, finishing on the Summer Bank Holiday Monday
GC Second Eight (Kate Jones Memorial) B GC 4 Tournament 23-25 Aug Colchester 28-31 Aug Budleigh 28-30 Aug TBA Saturday-Monday, finishing on the Summer Bank Holiday Monday
GC Third Eight (Suzanne Roberts Memorial) B GC 4 Tournament 23-25 Aug Nottingham 28-31 Aug Budleigh 28-30 Aug TBA Saturday-Monday, finishing on the Summer Bank Holiday Monday
Challenge & Gilbey C AC 6 Tournament 28-31 Aug Cheltenham 3-6 Sep TBA 2-5 Sep TBA Thursday-Sunday after the August bank holiday
GC All-England Handicap Final E GC 4 Base 13-14 Sep Camerton & Peasedown 5-6 Sep Watford 4-5 Sep TBA First weekend after the August bank holiday
President's Cup B AC 4 Enhanced 4-7 Sep Sidmouth 10-13 Sep East Dorset 9-12 Sep TBA Thursday-Sunday, second weekend after the August bank holiday
Chairman's Salver B AC 4 Tournament 4-7 Sep East Dorset 10-13 Sep Cheltenham 9-12 Sep TBA Thursday-Sunday, second weekend after the August bank holiday
Spencer Ell Cup B AC 4 Tournament 4-8 Sep Colchester 10-14 Sep Ramsgate 9-13 Sep TBA Thursday-Monday, second weekend after the August bank holiday
Treasurer's Tankard B AC 4 Tournament 4-8 Sep Southport 10-14 Sep Colchester 9-13 Sep TBA Thursday-Monday, second weekend after the August bank holiday
Selectors' Weekend B AC 4 Tournament 5-7 Sep Ramsgate 11-13 Sep Guildford 10-12 Sep TBA Friday-Sunday, second weekend after the August bank holiday
GC English National Singles Finals (Ascot Cup) B GC 4-8 Tournament 20-21 Sep Hurlingham 19-20 Sep Nottingham 18-19 Sep TBA Saturday-Sunday, 3 weekends after Summer Bank Holiday weekend.
AC All-England Handicap Final E AC 2 Base 20-21 Sep Guildford & Godalming 19-20 Sep Ealing 18-19 Sep TBA Same weekend as Ascot Cup
GC B-level Final E GC 5 Base 20-21 Sep Budleigh 19-20 Sep Pendle 18-19 Sep TBA Same weekend as Ascot Cup
Short Croquet National Final E AC 2 (4 SC Courts) Base TBD TBD TBD TBD TBA TBA  
South of England Championship C AC 5 Tournament 19-21 Sep Compton 25-27 Sep Compton 24-26 Sep Compton Compton; Friday-Sunday; penultimate or last weekend in September
GC A-Level Final E GC 4 Tournament 27-28 Sep Ryde 26-27 Sep Ramsgate 25-26 Sep TBA Weekend after the English National Singles Finals
GC C-Level Final E GC 4 Base 27-28 Sep Compton 26-27 Sep Wrest Park 25-26 Sep TBA Weekend after the English National Singles Finals
GC Inter-Club Final B GC 2 Tournament 27 Sep Neutral Venue, TBA 26 Sep Neutral Venue, TBA 25 Sep Neutral Venue, TBA Saturday, late September, Neutral Venue
GC Murphy Inter-Club Shield Final B GC 2 Tournament On or before 28 Sep Neutral Venue, TBA On or before 27 Sep Neutral Venue, TBA On or before 26 Sep Neutral Venue, TBA On or before last Sunday in September, Neutral Venue
AC Inter-Club Finals B AC 6 Tournament 4 Oct Neutral Venue TBA 3 Oct Neutral Venue TBA 2 Oct Neutral Venue, TBA Finishing on first Sunday in October
GC Federations Shield Final B GC 2 Tournament On or before 5 Oct Neutral Venue, TBA On or before 4 Oct Neutral Venue, TBA On or before 3 Oct Neutral Venue, TBA On or before first Sunday in October, Neutral Venue
WCF GC World Championship Qualifier - GC 4+ - N/A N/A TBA TBA N/A N/A Immediately before the WCF GC World Championship

WCF GC World Championship

A

GC

-

-

N/A

N/A

TBA

TBA

N/A

N/A

Every two years, according to WCF schedule
WCF AC World Championship Qualifier - AC - -
14-16 Oct
National Croquet Centre, Florida, USA (TBC) N/A N/A TBA TBA Every two years, according to WCF 10-year schedule

WCF AC World Championship

A

AC

-

-

18-26 Oct

National Croquet Centre, Florida, USA

N/A

N/A

TBA

TBA

Every two years, according to WCF 10-year schedule
Event Event Group AC/GC Courts Court Hire 2025 2026 2027 Scheduling Assumptions
GC IPD Weekend B GC - -              
AC IPD Weekend B AC - -              
AC Students' Championship D AC - Base TBA Oxford University         Oxford University is normal venue

GC Under-25 Open

C GC 4 Tournament

9-10 Aug

Compton

TBA

TBA

TBA TBA Early August

England v Egypt

A

GC

- - - - - - TBA England (?) Held every 3-4 years. Host alternates between England and Egypt. When in Egypt, held immediately after the Egyptian Open.
ERC European Teams Championship - AC and GC - -             Every four years, according to ERC schedule
WCF Women's AC World Championship Qualifier - AC - -             Every four years, according to WCF schedule

WCF Women's AC World Championship

A

AC

-

-

            Every four years, according to WCF schedule
WCF Women's GC World Championship Qualifier - GC - -             Immediately before the WCF Women's GC World Championship

WCF Women's GC World Championship

A

GC

-

-

            Every four years, according to WCF schedule

WCF Over 50 GC World Championship

A

GC

-

-

            Every four years, according to WCF schedule

WCF World GC Team Championship Tier 1

A

GC

-

-

17-23 Feb

Tasmania, Australia

        Every four years, according to WCF schedule
Event Event Group AC/GC Courts Court Hire 2025 2026 2027 Scheduling Assumptions

Event Groups and Scheduling Principles

Following a growing number of clashes between events, Croquet England has generated the following principles which have been confirmed by the relevant committees, and are used as the basis for forming the calendar each year. They are expressed as "should" rather than "must" principles, because whilst the intent is to adhere to them, there are circumstances when this may not be possible - particularly when non-annual international events 'land' in our playing season.

Group Description Events Scheduling Principle
Group A Fully representative international events
  • AC and GC Home Internationals
  • AC: Maugham Salver, Solomon Trophy
  • GC: England v Spain; England v EgyptEu
  • MacRobertson Shield and Openshaw Shield in years held
  • WCF singles events (to the extent that Croquet England has influence over the dates). Qualifying events are not included.
  • Non-representative international events such as Croquet England v CAI are not included in this group.
Group A events should not clash with each other
Group B Croquet England's Flagship Events, including all Grade 1 Championships
  • AC and GC Opens
  • AC Mens and Womens (Singles and Doubles)
  • GC English Nationals (Singles [Ascot Cup] and Doubles)
  • AC and GC Eights (treating the suite of eights in each code as a single multi-venue event)
  • AC and GC Inter-Counties
  • AC and GC Inter-Club Finals
  • AC and GC IPD Coaching Weekend (one per code)
Group B events should not clash with each other, or with any Group A event
Group C Other major events, including Grade 2 and 3 Championships
  • AC: Regional Championships (West, East, North, South of England) and C2 Championships (Coles, Surrey, East Midlands)
  • GC: Whole of the GC Championship Series [8x Ascot Cup Qualifying Events]
  • GC: Women's GC Open Championship
  • AC: Other fixtures organised by Croquet England, including Peel Memorials and Challenge and Gilbey
Group C events should not clash with an event of the same code from either Group A or B
Group D Age-Specific Events
  • AC and GC Juniors, Students, Seniors, Veterans
Group D events should not clash with the matching Group D event of the other code
Group E Other
  • Everything Else, including the All-England handicap events, and GC B and C Series events and finals
No constraints