Merit bridge tournament brings 360 players from 27 countries to North Cyprus

International tournaments held in North Cyprus in November supported visitor activity for the accommodation sector. The 11th Merit International Bridge Tournament, held at Merit Royal Diamond Hotel from 2 to 5 November 2026, attracted 360 players from 27 countries. Including guests accompanying the players, the event is estimated to have generated tourism activity involving around 540 people.

Now in its 11th year, the tournament offered an example of how international events outside the summer season can attract different visitor groups to North Cyprus. Participation from a range of countries also made the event significant for promoting the destination, alongside its sporting dimension.

Bridge matches played across 90 tables

The event began with the Open Pairs matches at 20:30 on the evening of 2 November. A total of 360 players competed across 90 tables, and the programme continued with matches in the Mix Pairs category. Merit Royal Diamond Hotel hosted the tournament.

Merit International Hotels & Casinos, which operates under Net Holding A.Ş., aims to support tourism throughout the year with events for different sports and special-interest groups. The bridge tournament was among the events organised as part of this approach.

A separate backgammon event at Merit Park

During the same period, the 13th Merit Open International Backgammon Championship, organised in partnership by Merit Park Hotel and the World Backgammon Federation (WBF), brought together more than 400 professional and amateur players from different countries in Kyrenia. Separate from the bridge tournament, this event will continue until 8 November.

On the second day of the backgammon championship, Wetgammon, an underwater backgammon event in which players faced each other at special tables wearing diving equipment, was held. Japanese world champion Masayuki Mochizuki also took part.