Mind Sports Travel
Chess, bridge, poker, Scrabble and esports tournaments, and the trips around them.
Plan Tournament TravelMind Sports and the Trips Around Them
Mind sports are games of skill played seriously: chess, bridge, poker, Scrabble, backgammon and, more and more, esports. The biggest tournaments are also trips — a week or two in a host city, a hotel full of fellow players, and long days at the board or the table. Mind Sports Travel is about getting there and enjoying it, whether you are competing or watching.
Unlike stadium sports, most mind sports tournaments are open to anyone who joins the governing body and pays the entry. A club player can sit in the same hall as grandmasters at a chess open, a newer bridge player can play a newcomer game at the North American championships, and anyone of legal age can enter a World Series of Poker event. That openness is what makes tournament travel so popular.
Chess Tournaments
The U.S. Open, big weekend opens, the Olympiad, and how ratings and sections work.
Bridge Tournaments
The ACBL's North American Bridge Championships, regionals and newcomer events.
World Series of Poker
Summer in Las Vegas: the bracelet events, the Main Event and visiting as a spectator.
Scrabble Tournaments
NASPA-rated play, the North American championship and word lists.
Esports Events
Fighting-game majors, arena finals and tips for traveling fans.
Mind Sports Olympiad
London's multi-game festival every August.
How Tournament Trips Work
Most large events follow the same pattern. The organizer picks a host hotel or convention center, negotiates a block of rooms, and publishes a schedule months ahead. Players book into the block, arrive the day before play starts, and spend most waking hours in the playing hall. Rest days are rare at the big ones, so evenings and the odd free afternoon are when you see the city.
For spectators the rhythm is looser. You can drop in for the final rounds, watch a broadcast table, and spend the rest of the trip sightseeing. Our tournament travel tips page covers booking, packing and staying sharp on the road.
The Calendar at a Glance
| Event | Mind sport | When and where |
|---|---|---|
| North American Bridge Championships (NABCs) | Bridge | Three times a year in rotating cities; next: San Diego (Nov–Dec 2026), Dallas (March 2027), Las Vegas (July 2027), Seattle (Nov–Dec 2027) |
| World Series of Poker | Poker | Every summer in Las Vegas; in 2026 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas from late May to mid-July |
| U.S. Open Chess Championship | Chess | Every summer, usually early August, in a different U.S. city |
| Scrabble Players Championship | Scrabble | NASPA's North American championship, each summer; 2026 was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| Mind Sports Olympiad | Many games | Every August in London |
| EVO | Fighting-game esports | Las Vegas each summer, plus EVO Japan in Tokyo |
Dates and venues are set by each organizer; always confirm on the official page before you book.
Players, Families and Fans
For players
Find events at your level, learn the entry and membership rules, and book the host hotel early.
Travel tips →
For fans
Watch the finals in person, meet the community, and see a new city between sessions.
Esports events →
For families
Scholastic chess and junior sections make tournaments a family trip; parents get a vacation too.
Chess tournaments →Need flights to the host city? Compare them on Airfares for Less, and compare hotels near the venue on Rooms Cheap if the official block is full. For trip ideas in every U.S. state, browse Best of the USA, and for offers by email join our free travel deals newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are mind sports?
Games of skill played competitively, where thinking rather than physical strength decides the result. Chess, bridge, go, draughts and xiangqi are the classic examples; poker, Scrabble, backgammon and many video games are often included too.
Can I travel to a tournament just to watch?
Yes. Most big chess, bridge and Scrabble events welcome spectators in viewing areas, the World Series of Poker has a rail around its tables, and esports events sell spectator passes. Rules vary, so check the organizer's page before you go.
Do I need a rating or membership to play?
Often, yes. U.S. rated chess requires US Chess membership, ACBL bridge events use ACBL membership and masterpoints, and NASPA runs rated Scrabble. Many events have sections for newcomers, so you do not have to be an expert.
More From Our Travel Network
Who Is Behind Mind Sports Travel
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a trip quote through the Official Travel Directory, a travel specialist plans it with you personally — not a call center. Meet Mister Cruise →
Plan Your Tournament Trip
Tell us the event, the dates and who is traveling. A travel specialist will plan flights and hotels around the schedule.
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