Rules

Format

Basic Carcassonne, real time, 1 vs 1 on Board Game Arena.
Every duel is a best of three: it ends when a player reaches two wins.
A group stage (round-robin, usually four groups) followed by a knock-out play-off. The four semi-finalists of the previous edition are seeded, one per group. Family members are placed in different groups; tell the organisers about family ties.

Registration closes 28 November 2025 at 22:00; the group draw is on 29 November.
Group stage: 1 to 30 December 2025.
Play-offs: 1 January to 1 February 2026.

Belgian nationality or residence in Belgium.
One BGA account (premium or free), which is your main 2-player account.
Membership of the BGA group Carcassonne Belgium.
Register through the form on this site or by e-mail with your BGA name, whether it is premium, your real name, nationality, postal code and municipality, and country of residence.
By taking part you agree that games may be streamed and commented on, and that your name and the winner's name may be published.
Players are expected to complete all their duels.

Opponents arrange their duel directly on BGA. All games of a duel are played in one session.
The organiser (or a premium player) creates a private tournament named according to the rules. Both players must register before the start time.
Group stage: a 3-game real-time Swiss tournament with a 15-minute clock per player. By mutual agreement a 5-game version with alternating starting player may be used. Play-offs always use the 5-game setup.
If a game ends in a tie, the player who did not start the game wins it.
Players without a premium account contact the tournament organiser at least 24 hours before the duel.

Go to Play now, open Tournaments and click Create a new tournament, then pick Carcassonne.

BGA: Play now, Tournaments, Create a new tournament

Championship name: BCOC 2026 + your BGA name. Tournament name: the group and the number of the duel. Registration: private tournament, open to the group Carcassonne Belgium, minimum and maximum 2 players. Set the agreed start date and time.

BGA: championship name, tournament name and registration settings

Tournament type: Swiss system, real time with a 15-minute clock per player, 3 games (or 5 by mutual agreement), no expansions, 2 players per game.

BGA: Swiss system and game settings

Check the overview and press the green Open tournament button. Register yourself and invite your opponent, or send the tournament link in the chat. Both players must register before the start time.

BGA: tournament overview with the Open tournament button

If a duel starts with wrong settings, it is cancelled and a new tournament is set up. Both players check the settings before the start.

Tools, scripts, notes or outside help are forbidden. Violators are expelled and their group-stage results may be voided.
When a tile is discarded automatically, tell your opponent in the chat.
Running out of time loses that game, not the whole duel; concede the game when your clock runs out.
A player who does not show up forfeits the duel. Two no-shows in the group stage lead to expulsion.
Unresolved group-stage duels are played on the final day at 20:00 or later.

The winner reports the result through the Enter a result form, with a link to the tournament.
Group ranking: duels won, then game difference, then games won, then head-to-head result, then a draw.

The winner is Belgian Carcassonne Online Champion and receives a ticket to the next Carcassonne Champions League. The winner also qualifies for the individual World Championship when Team Belgium earns a place.
The top three are guaranteed a place in the Team Belgium squad for the World Team Carcassonne Online Championship (WTCOC). The runner-up and third place may also receive a Champions League qualification spot.

Rule disputes between players are referred to an independent referee, Kerry Alley (Mingo on BGA).