Before you contact the Registrar or the Co-Directors, save yourself some time and check here first!
General
What is the tournament schedule for the week?
A summary of the schedule is available at the following link: Schedule Overview. Note that the Masters tournament has be merged into the top band of the US Open tournament. Top boards will be played in a secluded strong players room.
How can I view the Congress schedule on my mobile phone?
All schedule information can be conveniently accessed on your mobile phone using the Yapp app. Stay tuned for the app link as congress approaches!
WHAT IS THE CHECK-IN SCHEDULE?
The check-in schedule is summarized below. Those who miss the 10pm check-in cutoff on Saturday can do so on Sunday morning after 7 AM.
CHECK-IN INFORMATION
– Location: Foyer of the the Grand Ballroom, which is on the 4th floor of the Marriott hotel.
– Early Check-in: 4pm-10pm on Friday, July 24.
– Main Check-in: 10am-10pm on Saturday, July 25.
– Late Check-in: Starting at 7am on Sunday, July26.
Note that the Grand Ballroom will be available for self-paired games on Saturday, July 25, starting at 10am.
Also note that the Opening Ceremony will be on Saturday evening from 7pm-8pm in the Charles River room on the 4th floor of the Marriott hotel. Attendance at the Opening Ceremony is highly recommended!
WHEN AND HOW MUCH IS THE CLOSING BANQUET?
This year the banquet and closing ceremony is included in the price for all full Congress participants. We look forward to the entire community coming together to celebrate our winners, socialize with our friends, and enjoy our last evening together.
The banquet and closing ceremonies will be on Saturday evening, August 1, 2026. We’re working hard this year to streamline the awards ceremony, and we think that you’ll like it! Nearly all participants stay through Saturday evening, departing on Sunday morning or early afternoon.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Daily temperatures are likely to average highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows around 66°F (19°C).
What is the facility like this year?
The 2026 US Go Congress will be held at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, which is right along the Charles River! The main playing area will be in the Grand Ballroom. From there, it will be a short walk away to the Skittles room! All Congress activities will take place in the hotel!Is there air conditioning?
Yes, the Boston Marriott absolutely has air conditioning (AC) in all guest rooms and throughout the hotel!
What is provided in the Hotel ROoms?
King and two Queens guest rooms will include a Mini fridge, Wireless internet, and a Coffee/tea maker! It also will come with a Hair Dryer, Iron & ironing board, and a workdesk station. Rollaway beds are available upon request for king rooms.
Is there wireless internet access?
Yes, Wireless Internet Access is provided in all guest rooms and throughout the hotel, and it is free for US Go Congress attendees!
Is there cell phone service?
Yes, the hotel is in an urban area with high-quality cellphone coverage.
What airports serve the BoSTon area?
Boston Logan International Airport is the primary airport serving the Boston area. It is about a 25 minute drive from the airport to the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel.
What time should I arrive and leave?
Most people will arrive on Saturday morning or afternoon, July 25th and leave on Sunday morning, August 2nd. The registration/check-in desk will open on Saturday morning by 10 AM. The main playing area will be available for casual games after check-in.
Please be aware that the first round of the US Open will start at 9:00AM Sunday, so arriving on Sunday may cause you to miss the first round of the US Open tournament.
Are there laundry facilities?
Yes there is a laundry room for self-service washers/dryers for guest to use for a fee.
Can I attend the Congress for part of the week?
Yes. Day passes and evenings-only registration are available as options. Check out the Prices and Options page for more information!
Is Free parking available at the Hotel?
Yes, parking will be FREE for all US Go Congress attendees thanks to our partnership with the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel.
REgISTRATION
How do I change my reGISTRATION?
Please contact the Registrar with any requested changes to your registration.
What payment options are available for registration?
- Check out the Prices and Options page for more information!
i’m traveling from another country – how can i request help with my travel visa?
Fill out this Invitation Letter Request Form or contact the Registrar for support with a Visa invitation letter.
What is the refund / cancellation policy?
Check out the Prices and Options page for more information!
Is there a group discount available?
In order to incentivize student and tour groups to come to the congress, the congress offers group discounts. Contact the Registrar if you have 6 or more people in your group.
What if I’m not currently an AGA member?
To register to play in the Congress, you must be a current member of the American Go Association. If you are not currently an AGA member, sign up by clicking Join the AGA. If your membership has lapsed, Sign In to your account and renew your membership.
What is the Non-participant registration fee?
Anyone who uses the Congress for any go related activities must be registered at Congress. We recognize that there may be family members that will not be interested in participating in Go events, like tournaments and lectures from Professional Go Teachers. For these we have the much-reduced registration fee for Non-Participants of $149 for the week (Early bird rate). Non-Participants get entry to the Saturday closing banquet and also get a congress swag bag. The guardian of under-age youth participants must be registered at the Congress.
For more information, visit the Prices & Options page
What is the youth policy?
Each youth (age 17 and younger) must have a designated adult on-site who is also a registered attendee at the Congress and agrees to watch over the youth and be responsible for their behavior. This adult will either be a Legal Guardian (parent or otherwise), or someone assigned to be the “Attending Guardian” at the Congress. The Legal Guardian must fill out and sign one of the agreement forms on the Youth Participants page, and submit it before or during Congress registration. If an Attending Guardian is used, that adult must also sign the form to acknowledge responsibility.
Please visit the Youth Room for more information
What should I put for my rank?
In most cases you should select the option to use your current AGA rating. If you don’t have an AGA rating, or believe that your current rating is significantly different from your AGA rating, select the option to have the Tournaments Coordinator contact you before the congress. The Tournaments Coordinator has the final say on your rank. (Consult this Senseis – Rank Worldwide Comparison page for some guidance on ranks, especially with regard to online server ranks.)
miscellaneous
What about people with disabilities?
The Hotel has ADA rooms available. Contact the front hotel desk for more information
What if I have an emergency?
If there is a health emergency, call 911.
Lost & Found
Items can be brought to the Congress Help Desk, or the Hotel front desk.
What else about BOSTON MArRIOTT newton should I know?
This Guest Welcome Letter from the Marriott contains more information about the hotel amenities. (Prices are subject to change. Parking is free for congress attendees.)
Where are promotional materials / media?
Please visit the Media page to find promotional materials for the Go Congress.
Go Game Conduct Guidelines
• Tournaments should be enjoyable for all.
• Please always show respect for your opponent and other players.
• Games should be won by superior talent and technique.
• Refrain from distracting behavior and noisemaking near tournament play.
• Please analyze games away from tournament play.
• Please show courtesy by arriving promptly for all events.
• Report all results immediately after the conclusion of your games.
• Be courteous in defeat and generous in victory.
• Remember that you will have ample opportunity to experience both during the week.
• Resign when you have clearly lost.
WHAT GUIDELINE SHOULD I FOLLOW WHEN PLAYING A SIMUL GAME?
- When the professional player approaches your board for the first move, it is customary to greet them.
- Do not delay your move. When the pro comes around to your board, make your move.
- Do not play your move before the pro arrives. It is rude to make the pro find your move.
- Do show respect for the pro by not discussing your game (or anything else) with bystanders.
- Do resign when the game is lost. Please resist the temptation to play the game out until the bitter end.
- Quietly thank the professional, and clear off the board before you leave. In three-game simuls, pros will often do brief analyses after all three games are finished.
- The event director reserves the right to terminate any games that are clearly lost.
Please do not sign up for more than one simultaneous game until Thursday so that all attendees will have an opportunity to play one. If you have not played a game by Thursday and would like one, please let the staff know and we will give you priority.
what is the aga code of conduct?
The AGA’s code of conduct can be found here.
What is the COVID-19 Policy?
Please read the congress’s 2026 Covid Policy.