New Championship and Qualifying heats aim to broaden competition and strengthen pathways for club teams across Europe
The 2026 European Golf Croquet Club League will introduce an expanded competitive structure designed to increase participation while creating a clearer pathway for clubs of varying standards across the continent.
Under the revised format, teams will be separated into Championship Heats and Qualifying Heats, a change intended to keep the highest- and lowest-ranked clubs competing within appropriate competitive groupings. The winners of the Championship Heats will advance to a Finals Weekend scheduled for Oct. 9–11, 2026, at Carrickmines in Ireland. Winners of the Qualifying Heats will earn promotion into the 2027 Championship Heats, establishing a formal progression system for emerging teams.
The league remains targeted at club-level players, with an emphasis on providing opportunities for international travel and competitive play in a team environment. Each entry consists of four players, with teams required to commit only to a single weekend heat. The only additional obligation applies to Championship Heat winners, who will return to contest the Grand Final later in the season.
Participation figures from 2025 highlight the league’s broad appeal. A total of 45 teams entered last season, ranging from highly experienced squads to developing clubs. While many players competed with DGrades above 2000, six teams recorded average DGrades below 1600, underscoring the event’s accessibility across a wide spectrum of playing standards.
For 2026, heats are scheduled to take place in Czechia, England, Germany, Ireland, Latvia and Spain. The calendar also expands to new territory, with Greece and Scotland hosting league heats for the first time. Organizers say the geographic diversity is central to the league’s mission of fostering cross-border competition and strengthening ties among European clubs.
Rules documents outlining heat dates, venues and competition details will be published shortly by Croquet Europe. Information has already been distributed to club secretaries across Europe, with additional guidance expected in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit www.croqueteurope.com/competitions/gc-clubs-league.