€24k Kinsale Cup 2027
15 to 17 January 2027
Kinsale Hotel and Spa, County Cork, Ireland
64 players, 3 days, 3 KOs, 1 champion
The second annual Kinsale Cup will take place from 15 to 17 January 2027 at the scenic Kinsale Hotel and Spa in Cork, Ireland.
Supported by the Backgammon Federation of Ireland, the Kinsale Cup is the highest value tournament on the Emerald Isle, with €24,000 in prizemoney, including €10,000 to the main event winner.
But the Kinsale Cup is much more than just a world-class tournament, it’s a foodies and socialites dream, with fine-dining experiences, live music, drink specials and more ensuring it’s an event not to be missed.
There’s a reason the full field from 2026 is returning in 2027…
World-class field including
Defending champion: Reece Hodges
Defending runner up: Kalin Stefanov
Women’s world champion: Miranda Moulton
Former world No.1: Gaz Owen
WBIF Tour runner up: Neil Dobbs
3x Irish Open champion: Sean Casey
Speedgammon legend: Rolf Schreuder
Dutch master: Paul van Dijke
And many of the best from Ireland and the UK
Vaidas Budrys Brendan Burgess Daniel Lynch
Jamie Degabriele Chris Bleakley David MacNamara
Sean Jones John Casey Bernardo Viana
Ian Gwynne Nicola Fitzgibbon
See the full field here
3-day agenda and €24,000 prizemoney
Friday qualifier - 64 player knockout
Main event: €1050 prizemoney (€700, €300) + 12 tickets to Sunday’s final
Second chance: €350 prizemoney (€250, €100) + 4 tickets to Sunday’s final
Saturday qualifier - 64 player knockout
Main event: €1050 prizemoney (€700, €300) + 12 tickets to Sunday’s final
Second chance: €350 prizemoney (€250, €100) + 4 tickets to Sunday’s final
Sunday finals - 32 player knockout
Main event: €16,000 prizemoney (€10,000, €4,000, €1,500, €500)
Consolation: €4,000 prizemoney (€2,500, €1,000, €375, €125)
Last chance: €1,200 prizemoney (€700, €350, €115, €35)
Matches begin at 10am sharp each day with the finals for Friday and Saturday’s qualifiers to be played at 5pm and Sunday’s main event, consolation and last chance finals to be played at 7pm.
Match points for the Friday and Saturday qualifiers decrease every two matches - 9, 9, 7, 7, 5, 5. Match points for Sunday’s main event increase for the semi final and final - 9, 9, 9, 11, 11. Match points for Sunday’s consolation and last chance are 7 and 5 respectively throughout.
Tickets to Sunday’s main event will be won by the 8 quarter-finalists in the qualifier on Friday and Saturday, plus four of the last 16 losers by way of play-offs. They will be joined by the 4 semi-finalists from each day’s second chance.
Players who do not qualify for Sunday’s main event will contest the consolation.
Players who win tickets to Sunday’s main event on both Saturday and Sunday will progress straight to the second round of Sunday’s final. For every player that this applies to, the best performing player to not win a ticket will progress to the second round of the consolation.
The Friday and Saturday second chance events, as well as the Sunday consolation and last chance, are progressive KOs, meaning losers from the previous event will enter in the same round in which they lost (eg. lose in the last 16, enter in the last 16).
Download the full player handbook here
Access the full live draw here
Tournament fees and side pools
Entry: €300
Registration: €100
Saturday players’ dinner: €60
100% of entry fee goes to prizemoney pot and a bonus 25% prizemoney will be added to the pot.
Registration includes tea, coffee, water, cordial, sweet and savoury snacks, and two drinks from the bar daily (soft drinks and specials only).
Saturday’s dinner is a focal point of the event and includes a three-course meal, music, presentations and live final draws.
Tickets are non-refundable but they are transferable. Please contact the organisers via email at kinsalecupbg@gmail.com if you need to transfer your ticket and they will connect you with the first person on the waiting list.
Once filled, a waiting list will be opened on the ticketing platform. Players will be able to add themselves to the waiting list for free.
Optional side pools
Daily: €10, 20, €50 and €100 (cash on day)
Sunday last chance: €10 and €25 (cash on day)
Daily amounts are split 50:50 between the main event and second chance (Fri, Sat) / consolation (Sun) so players have a stake in each event.
Players who do not play in the second chance (Fri, Sat) / consolation (Sun) due to tournament progression will be refunded their 50%.
Players may opt to buy in to a maximum of two side pools - either €10 and €20 or €50 and €100.
Sunday’s last chance side pool will be taken separately ahead of the start of day’s play. Players who do not play due to tournament progression will be fully refunded.
Prize money will be paid to the winner and runner up of each side pool in a 65:35 split.
Optional high roller - 8 team doubles knockout
Entry: €250 per team
Prizemoney: €2,000 prizemoney (€1,400, €600)
Quarter finals played Thursday, semi-finals Friday and grand final Saturday. All matches start at 9pm in a dedicated room off the bar area.
Masterclass
Cost: €50 per person (cash on day)
Length: 1 hour
Capacity: 12
When: Thursday at 4pm
Who: TBC
Book your tickets here
Download the full player handbook here
Venue and accommodation
The Kinsale Hotel & Spa, is an exquisite retreat set on 90 acres of mature woodland with stunning views of Oysterhaven Bay. As the first hotel on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, it offers a unique blend of luxury and natural beauty.
Located just a 20-minute drive from Cork Airport and a mere 5 minutes from Kinsale’s charming town centre, the hotel is perfectly situated for relaxation, exploration and in this instance, Backgammon.
With a choice of waterfall or bay views, the rooms offer the perfect space to relax between matches or after a hard day’s play.
Alternatively, head down to the Leisure Club which has everything you need to work out or recuperate with a fully-equipped Technogym, 20-metre lap pool, dry sauna, wet steam room and hot jacuzzi.
All rates include bed, hot and cold buffet breakfast, and full leisure club access. Discover more at www.kinsalehotelandspa.ie.
Discounted room rates
Thursday and Sunday: €120 per night
Friday and Saturday: €140 per night
Bay view upgrade: €20 per night
Additional guests: €40 per person per night (up to 3 guests)
Book directly with the friendly hotel team by phone on +353 21 470 6000 or via email at reservations@hotelkinsale.ie.
Mention ‘backgammon tournament’ when booking to avail of the special discounted rates.
Accommodation is fully refundable when providing more than 7 days notice.
Fine dining in Ireland’s gourmet capital
The Kinsale Cup is an experience, not just a tournament. Each evening, players and guests have the chance to experience Ireland’s incredible hospitality in some of the finest restaurants in the country.
Thursday at No. 19 - €75
Price includes a three-course meal, two drinks, return transfers and tips
Chef Cristian Previ and his team at Nº19 Restaurant have produced a world of flavours and influences, which together with the finest local ingredients, has created a modern Irish dining experience like no other. The main courses focus on delicately charcoal-grilled meats and fish accompanied by fresh seasonal vegetables, all served in an intimate candlelit setting. Discover more at 19kinsale.ie.
Friday at Man Friday - €75
Price includes a three-course meal, two drinks, return transfers and tips
Chef Daniel Horgan and his team at Man Friday have created an incredible menu designed with individual touches unique to the local area. Dine beside the cosy open fire while over-looking the Kinsale Harbour and be treated to award-winning dishes at one of Ireland’s best-known restaurants. Established by Chef Daniel’s father in 1978, Man Friday is an experience not o be missed. Discover more at manfridaykinsale.ie.
Saturday at Rockpool - €60 (mandatory for players)
Price includes a three-course meal, two drinks, music and tips
Executive Chef Jeremey Bermingham and Head Chef JP Mooreen celebrate the best of local and seasonal produce, bringing flavours that are fresh, comforting and full of flavour. Crafted around the finest seafood and meats, their menu is designed to highlight the best of regional cuisine with a modern twist, enjoyed with beautiful views across Oysterhaven Bay and the Irish countryside. Discover more at www.kinsalehotelandspa.ie.
Sunday at Rockpool - €35
Price includes a two-course traditional roast dinner, two drinks and tips
We can’t add anymore than we already have above, but Ireland, and indeed our host venue, are known for their roast dinners. Enjoy the perfect hearty finish to your Kinsale Cup experience before the grand finals begin and hear from the players ready to battle it our for the big cash prizes.
Book your meals here
Other ways to enhance your stay
Blacks brewery and distillery tour
There are 12 different tours and tastings to choose from with prices ranging from €25 to €75.
Standing proud on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Blacks is Ireland’s first co-located Brewery and Distillery. Their revolution started with flavour-packed experimental craft beer, then moved swiftly into gin and rum, following their taste buds and sense of adventure on the way to eventually creating their own Irish whiskey, which flaunts the rules and perceptions of flavour. Discover more at www.blacksbrewery.com.
Kinsale Town and the Wild Atlantic Way
Why not pop down to Charles Fort to take in the history and views with a coffee (there is a van there) or head into Kinsale town itself, grab a coffee from Wild and Tame or OHK and enjoy a stroll around the historic and beautiful fishing village.
For those who are here a little longer or finished a little earlier in the day than hoped, add in the Scilly walk and a cosy drink at the Bulman (both close to Charles Fort), or drive out to Garretstown via the Dock Beach, Sandycove and Old Head for a brief but beautiful coastal drive.
If you’re looking for a quiet drink in a traditional Irish setting, check out the Tap Tavern or Daltons, or for something more upbeat, drop into Kitty O’Se’s and enjoy the craic.
