The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) and European Pocket Billiard Federation (EPBF) today announced the Atlantic Challenge Cup (ACC) will not be held in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While we are disappointed to announce the cancellation of the 2020 ACC, it is impossible for it to be held during this worldwide health crisis,” said Billiard Congress of America CEO Rob Johnson. “The event has been a tremendous opportunity to showcase top junior players from both the United States and Europe. Additionally, we have enjoyed working with the EPBF to make this a first-class event for all of our junior participants and fans. We look forward to having discussions about the future of the ACC as well as other partnership opportunities with the EPBF as positive gains are made to eradicate COVID-19. I also want to thank all the wonderful sponsors who recognized the value of supporting junior play.”
“Although Europe has been on the winning side each year, you can sense the competition within the athletes to qualify to the team which shows how important of an event it has grown to be in quite of a short period of time,” said EPBF Board Member Tommi Lamminaho. “The spirit of competition from both sides has been wonderful and the atmosphere supportive and there definitely is a demand for such events in the sports calendars. The EPBF is looking at opportunities for cooperation with the BCA in the future and hope to keep the ACC in the sports calendar.”
Launched in 2015 by the European Pocket Billiard Federation and the Billiard Congress of America, the governing bodies of pool in their respective regions and two of the founding members of the World Pool-Billiard Federation, the ACC was held five times, with the Europeans winning all five events. Three events took place in Europe, while two events took place in the United States.
