2026 News Archive

Invitationals in Leamington Spa and Hastings, plus Milton of Campsie: Brian Po staged a remarkable comeback to win eighteen games’ worth of drama, Craig Solomons stormed Hastings, and debutant Richard Burge took Division C in Scotland.

Debutants dazzled and experts excelled at Manuden and Waterford. Sixteen-year-old Aiden Crane swept Division C on his ABSP debut, Rik Kennedy and John Ashmore topped the two Manuden days, and Feargal Weatherhead edged a fifteen-round thriller in Ireland.

Last weekend saw a fine flurry of ABSP activity in the north, with tournaments at Milton of Campsie, Warrington and Holmfirth drawing 86 players. Colin Nicol pulled off a remarkable Division A upset at Milton, Brian Po dominated at Holmfirth, and Paul Thompson topped the largest field of the weekend at Warrington.

The UK Scrabble scene continued its northern autumn tour with a weekend double-header in Cleveland. Andy Goodwin dominated Division A on both days, Richard Moody and Michael Thomas took Division B on Saturday and Sunday respectively, and veteran Syd Berger delivered a commanding clean sweep in Division C.

Lewis Mackay, from Cambridge, has won the British Matchplay Scrabble Championship at the Holiday Inn South Normanton, taking his fifth BMSC title — equalling Mark Nyman’s record — with a 17–6 (+1274) record after a 520–357 victory over Brian Po in the final round.

The ABSP Stream Team brings three days of live coverage of the British Matchplay Scrabble Championship (BMSC) on the ABSP YouTube channel, 29th–31st August.

Congratulations to Sam Crispin, who finished second at the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Nairobi, beating the eventual champion in the final game but missing out on the title on spread.

The ABSP Committee is pleased to announce that this year's Winter Matchplay in Milton Keynes will be the 2026 National Scrabble Championship.

Good luck to Sam Crispin representing the UK at this year’s World Youth Scrabble Championship in Kenya, which starts on Friday.

MGI International Classics UK 2026 is under way in Milton Keynes. Follow it live on WESPA’s YouTube channel, with Will Anderson and Josh Sokol presenting and the ABSP Stream Team at the venue.

You may have noticed that the ABSP website is looking a bit different! Over the past few months, the site has had a thorough refresh to give it a cleaner, more modern appearance.

Harshan Lamabadusuriya becomes the first double winner in Grand Slam history, defeating Andy Goodwin by just 6 points in a dramatic final game to claim the title. Anne Ashmore took the side event victory, winning the Adrienne Berger trophy.

With the UK Open, Grand Slam and other early-year events behind us, the spring tournament season is packed with events across the UK and Ireland over the next few months.

The stage is set for the 2026 Grand Slam in Warrington this coming weekend.

Brian Po clinched victory at the UK Open with one round to go with a stunning performance, marking his first UK major win and best career win to date.

Firstly, many thanks to the Stewart Houten and Rachel Bingham for their parts in the maintenance of the database over the last year. This year we may very well have a new ratings system and database but in the meantime here is how 2025 panned out regarding titles and awards.

Happy New Year ABSP Members!