You love bridge.

You believe in its future.

Now's your chance to SPARK! the next generation.

Join a movement that's introducing thousands of

young people to the game we love.

Take Me To The Live Auction

The 2025 Spark! Auction Is Here!

Bid June 1 – July 14. Give big. Win big. Watch Bridge shine.

Buy a Pro or a Pass

For the July 21 Spark! Celebrity Game on RealBridge. Play alongside top pros and fellow enthusiasts.

Game with a Bridge Pro/Teacher

Schedule a private game with a renowned teacher or player. Great for learning or a unique experience with a mentor.

Celebrity Event Watch Party Ticket

Access to the exclusive Zoom webinar with live commentary from Bridge stars. Interactive, fun, and community-driven.

Go To Live Auction Site

Monday, July 21st, 2025, 7PM EST

Celebrity OnlineEvent

July 21st on

REALBRIDGE

Bidding is live June 1st thru July 14th
Bid on a Game with a Bridge Legend for our Celebrity Event

Choose from a lineup of world-class pros and teachers- highest bidder wins when the auction closes!

Play in an unforgettable live online game sponsored by Real Bridge, play with a famous bridge player and against an all star line up in a fun relaxed atmosphere...it's all for a great cause.

BID NOW

DONATE NOW

Witness top-tier gameplay and be part of the excitement!

SPARK! is how we change that—together.

Led by passionate volunteers and supported by the ACBL Educational Foundation, the SPARK! Fund provides direct opportunities for juniors under 31 to learn, grow, and shine in the bridge world. From travel stipends and camps to tournaments and school programs, every dollar builds the future of bridge.

Start Bidding on June 1

LARRY

_Cohen

DAVID & LISA

_Berkowitz

RALPH

_Katz

BOB

_Hamman

SANDRA

_Rimstedt

ROBERT

_Todd

MIGRY

_Campanile

AMBER

_Lin

DEBBIE & MICHAEL

_Rosenberg

DEBBIE & MICHAEL

_Rosenberg

GEOFF

_Hampson

GAVIN & JENNY

_Wolpert

BRAD

_Moss

SPARK!

Funding Highlights (2024–2025)

Igniting passion for Bridge across communities, schools, and competitions worldwide

🎓Youth & Collegiate Programs

Building the next generation of bridge players through education and engagement

BridgeWhiz & Whizkids Club – Online classes for grades 4–12, plus tournament play and an 'Improver' module
Jump Start Bridge – Teacher outreach program that introduced bridge to over 12,000 students in 33 states and 2 provinces
Collegiate Bridge Clubs – Ongoing support through the Collegiate Program and partnerships (like with Mitch Dunitz)
School Bridge Program – Helps K-12 schools start clubs with curriculum integration
Youth Bridge Camps – In-person and hybrid summer camps across the country

🤝Mentorship & Teaching Support

Connecting experienced players with newcomers to foster growth and learning

Peer Mentorship – Opportunities for junior players to mentor younger students
Tech Matters Mentorship Program – Young bridge players serve as TAs in schools
Teacher Resources – Funding for supplies, training, and curriculum materials
Lanierland + Boys & Girls Club – Club-to-youth teaching partnerships
YMCA 'Exercise Your Mind' Program – Bridge at YMCAs with cross-agency training

💡Innovation & Apps

Leveraging technology to make bridge accessible to the digital generation

TrickyBridge App – Continued expansion to bring bridge to mobile-first young users
BridgeWhiz Platform – Enhanced teaching tools and scheduling flexibility with vetted instructors

🏫Grants to Schools & Local Clubs

Direct support to educational institutions and community organizations

Lake Charles Duplicate Bridge Club
Mo-Kan Summer Youth Program
Westview Bridge Club – Connects high school students and senior centers
Central Lincoln County YMCA – School outreach
Challenger & Morris Elementary Schools (Alabama) – Outstanding examples of teacher-led bridge education (JumpStart Bridge)

🌍Travel & Competition Support

Supporting young Bridge players on their journey to international competitions

World Youth Transnationals in Poland – Stipends for North American juniors
FISU World University Mind Games – Support for Team USA travel
USA Bridge Camp & Championships (Las Vegas) – Travel stipends
Collegiate Bridge Bowl (Toronto) – Travel support and scholarships
Junior Nights – Hosted at North American Bridge Championships

Note: All recipients of travel stipends completed 10–15 hours of community service like teaching in their school clubs.

By the Numbers

The measurable impact of SPARK! Fund initiatives

12,000+

Students introduced to bridge

140+

Volunteers supported Spark

15,077

Students registered in Jump Start Bridge

33

States reached

2

Provinces included

Join the SPARK! Movement

Help us continue igniting passion for bridge in communities worldwide

🔥 Funding Innovation

🌍 Global Reach

🎓 Educational Impact

Look what you made possible last year.

Peer mentorship programs and real classroom Bridge instruction

Record-breaking Collegiate Bowl attendance

New camps and hybrid tournaments across

North America

Let's go even bigger in 2025.

Bridge isn't just a game —it's a legacy at risk.

With fewer opportunities for young people to learn Bridge, the future of our community depends on meaningful

outreach, mentorship, and education. Without support, too many young talents will never get the chance to learn,

play, or compete.

Without your support, these programs disappear.

No travel stipends. No classroom Bridge. No tournaments. No junior champions. Help keep Bridge alive and thriving.

Start Bidding on June 1

Supporting Bridge Education Since 1987

The ACBL Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion, growth and future of bridge. Through grants, programs, and partnerships, we're ensuring the game continues to thrive for generations to come.

Learn More About The Foundation →

Here's how you can help.

Bid in the

Spark! Auction

June 1–July 14

Win an unforgettable experience

Play with pros and learn from the best

Change the game for junior

Bridge players

Help build Bridge's future

Frequently Asked Questions

General Auction Questions

Q.What is the SPARK! Fund?

The SPARK! Fund is a dedicated initiative by the ACBL Educational Foundation aimed at promoting and supporting Bridge education and engagement. Your donations help us continue to grow and support the Bridge community.

Q: Is the auction over? Can I still support the SPARK! Fund?

A: Yes, the auction is over, but you can still support the SPARK! Fund through direct donations. Every contribution helps us achieve our mission of fostering Bridge education and engagement.

Q.What are the payment methods accepted?

Only STRIPE is available for secure processing on the auction site. To donate but not bid on a celebrity you can make a direct donation on the ACBLEF website.

Q What happens if I have a question about an item?

Click on the Chat Widget on this page and Tracey Bauer will answer your questions.

Group A Celebrity Event

Q: What is Group A in the Celebrity Event?

A: Group A is the elite flight of the Spark 2025 Celebrity Event featuring the top 40 professional players, determined by the highest auction bids. It’s a star-studded, high-energy game played live on RealBridge—with video and voice—for a truly interactive experience.

Q: How do players qualify for Group A?

A: The top 40 highest-bid players in the auction are placed in Group A. Historically, it takes a bid of $300 or more to make the cut, but this amount can vary year to year.

Q: When is the Group A event?

A: Group A plays on Monday night, July 21st, 2025, the night before the Summer Nationals begin. 7pm Eastern but schedule yourself from 6:30pm eastern til 10pm

Q: What makes Group A special?

A: The event is recorded live on Zoom and later edited for the Bridge Unleashed YouTube channel.

The game features 1-board rounds, so players rotate and face a wide variety of top-level pros.

You’ll play 20 boards and have the chance to compete against legendary names in bridge.

Q: What platform is the event held on?

A: The game is hosted on RealBridge, which offers video and voice integration for a more social and immersive experience.

Q: Can I bid now and still make Group A?

A: Yes! Bidding opens June 1st and closes July 14th. To estimate whether your bid is high enough to make Group A, you can reach out to us as the auction nears its end.

Q: What if I don’t win the auction but still want to play in Group A?

A: We offer a limited number of Golden Tickets. For a $500 donation, you and a partner can play in Group A—even if you didn’t win a pro. Only 5 of these exist, so they go fast!

Q: Is the Group A game educational?

A: Absolutely. After the event:

You’ll receive commentary from top pros like Barry Rigal and Bronia Jenkins.

You’ll get a full hand analysis and access to Zoom clips from all tables.

You’ll be invited to a live post-game party where Hall of Famers discuss key boards.

Q: Can I kibitz Group A if I’m not playing?

A: Yes! A $10 donation gives you access to a kibitzing pass, so you can watch the entire event unfold live.

Q: Can I use a proxy bid for a Group A spot?

A: Yes, and it’s highly recommended! You can set a maximum bid, and the system will automatically increase your bid in increments, so you stay competitive without needing to be online at the end.

Group B Celebrity Event

Q: How can I participate in the Group B Celebrity Event?

A: You can buy an entry to play in Group B of the Celebrity Event for $50 per pair. This is a unique opportunity to play alongside and compete with other enthusiasts in a prestigious setting.

Q: How do I purchase an entry for the Group B Celebrity Event?

A: To purchase an entry, visit our event page and follow the instructions for registration and payment. Once your entry is confirmed, you'll receive all the details needed to participate in the event.

Q: When is the Group B Celebrity Event?

A: The event details, including date and time, will be provided upon registration. Make sure to register early to secure your spot and receive all the necessary information.

Kibitzing Pass

Q: How can I get a Kibitzing Pass?

A: All donations made to the SPARK! Fund will grant you a kibitzing pass for the special event on Monday, July 15th. This pass allows you to observe the gameplay of Bronia and Barry Rigal, along with other Bridge legends in the SPARK! Celebrity Event.

Q: What will I experience with a Kibitzing Pass?

A: With a kibitzing pass, you can watch live as some of the top Bridge players in the world compete. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best and enjoy high-level Bridge play

Q: How do I donate to receive a Kibitzing Pass?

A: Simply visit our donation page at and make a contribution https://www.acbleducationalfoundation.org/donate.php. Your donation will automatically qualify you for the kibitzing pass.

Q What happens if I have a question about an item?

Click on the Chat Widget on this page and Tracey Bauer will answer your questions.

Post-Auction Questions

Q: Why should I donate to the SPARK! Fund?

A: Your donations directly support bridge education and engagement programs. By donating, you are helping to nurture the next generation of Bridge players and promote the game we all love.

Q: How can I make a donation?

A: Donations can be made easily through our secure online donation page at Direct Donation Link. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact.

Q: Can I share this opportunity with others?

A: Absolutely! We encourage you to share the donation link and information about the SPARK! Fund with your friends, family, and social media networks. The more support we receive, the greater the impact we can make together.

Q. Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

This is a charitable donation to the ACBLEF. If you decide you do not want to play with the person you bought please gift it to a friend. Once the auction closes we do not do any refunds.

Q. Can I play with my partner in the celebrity event?

YES!! We have two options to join in the fun with your regular partner

$500 Play against your heroes in Group A of the Celebrity game with your favorite partner. The two of you will have a chance to play against our highest bid professionals and

socialize with them. If your round finishes early you can ask them for advice on the hands you played. You will play 20: one board rounds and get to meet many of the top players in the game on this special night in the comfort of your own home.

Guaranteed evening of fun with at least 21 stars or more at your table during the evening plus the afterparty.
Also Bronia Jenkins and Barry Rigal will be commentating from a sky box and joining the table between the rounds.

$100

Play in Group B with also lots of Stars and also meet some of the juniors who this auction helps fund.
Group B will also join the AfterParty Zoom to celebrate the fun evening and get to hear some of our Hall of Fame players discuss the hands that were played.

Everyone will receive a detail hand analysis from Barry Rigal on the evenings hands.