In-Person Contests

For the most up-to-date information about events hosted by us, see ​https://www.facebook.com/groups/speedpuzzling/events.
For the most up-to-date information about other local events in the USA, please join your state-specific FB group.  Direct links are below.
We LOVE hosting speed puzzling races on Zoom.  We have even more fun hosting in person:
  • 7 in 2023
  • 12 in 2024
  • 14 in 2025 + 1 Speed Puzzling Cruise (see here)
  • 20 planned in 2026 + 2 Speed Puzzling Cruises (see here)

Please scroll down and complete the Google form to help us bring a contest to you!​
Region
States in the Region
2026 Contests
2025 Contests
2024 Contests
USA West
Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
- California State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Colorado​ State Championship (May 16).  Registration opens in January.
- Oregon State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Utah State Championship (Oct 17).  Registration opens in January.
- Washington State Championship (tentatively July 18).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, & Wyoming State Championships will occur via Zoom.
​- California State Championship (Nov 15).
- Colorado​ State Championship (Apr 26).
- Utah State Championship (Oct 11). 
- Washington State Championship (Jul 12).
- Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, & Wyoming State Championships occurred via Zoom.
​- California State Championship 
- Colorado State Championship
- Pacific Northwest: USA Northeast Regional Championship
- Utah​ State Championship
USA Southwest
Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- Arizona State Championship (Apr 11).  Click here to register.
- Texas State Championship (Feb 7).  Click here to register.
- New Mexico & Oklahoma State Championships will occur via Zoom.
- Arizona State Championship (Oct 25).
- Texas State Championship (Feb 1).
- New Mexico & Oklahoma State Championships occurred via Zoom.
- Arizona State Championship
​- Texas State Championship
USA Midwest
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Illinois State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Michigan State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Minnesota State Championship (October 10).  Registration opens in January.
- Ohio State Championship (June 17-21).  Registration opens in January.
- Wisconsin​ State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, & South Dakota State Championships will occur via Zoom.
- Minnesota State Championship (Nov 8).
- Ohio State Championship (Jun 19-22).
- Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, & Wisconsin State Championships occurred via Zoom.
- Minnesota State Championship
- Ohio Tournament of Pieces
USA Southeast
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- Florida State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Georgia State Championship (Feb 21).  Click here to register.
- North Carolina​ State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registraion.
- DMV (DC, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia Championship (Mar 7).  Click here to register.
- Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, & West Virginia State Championships will occur via Zoom.
- Georgia State Championship (Mar 1).
- North Carolina​ State Championship (Mar 15).
- Virginia (& DC) State Championship (May 24).
- Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, & West Virginia State Championships occurred via Zoom.
- Atlanta: USA Southeast Regional Championship
- District of Columbia: DC-Area Championship
USA Northeast
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
- Connecticut State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Massachusetts State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- New York State Championship (May 9).  Stay tuned for registraion.
- Pennsylvania ​State Championship (TBD).  Stay tuned for registration.
- Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, & Vermont State Championships will occur via Zoom.
- Connecticut State Championship (Aug 9).
- Massachusetts State Championship (Aug 16).
- New York State Championship (Jul 26).
- Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, & Vermont State Championships occurred via Zoom.
- Boston: Massachusetts State Championship
- Hartford: USA Northeast Regional Championship
Championship FAQ's:
  1. How does a championship work?  For each contest, each person/pair/team will receive the same puzzle in an opaque bag.  Rules will be given, and then we will count down "3, 2, 1, GO!"  Everyone will open the bag, open the puzzle box, and begin puzzling.  Rankings will be determined by finish time.  The contest puzzles are yours to keep.
  2. How do I register?  On the championship page, scroll down to the section that lists the various divisions.  Add the desired event(s) to your cart, and complete the checkout process.  To provide information about teammates or preferred T-shirt sizes and colors, enter a note during the checkout process.
  3. Does the Pair (or Team) registration fee cover both (or all 4) of us, or do we each have to pay?  During 2024, A single registration fee covered both, or all 4, members of the pair or team.  We spent too many hours trying to track down teammate information.  So for 2025 forward, we divided the ticket prices by 2 or 4, and each ticket provides entry to 1 person on the pair or team.  We ask that each team member register separately so we can communicate directly with each participant.
  4. How many people can be on a Team?  A team consists of 3 or 4 people, but all teams compete in the same division.
  5. What if I want to participate, but I don't live in the State featured in the Championship?  Starting in 2025, any pair or team is eligible for prizes.  Only the Adult Solo division has restrictions on prize eligibility (prizes are awarded just to the residents of that state).  This is due to the fact that we host that division for all 50 states (plus DC) throughout the year.
  6. How do you choose where to host championship events?  We target the areas with the most known speed puzzlers.  In 2023, we held state championships in our 4 most populated speed puzzling states: California, Texas, Minnesota, and Colorado.  We held regional championships for other key states.  In 2024, we added 5 championships where we had large populations of known speed puzzlers.  For 2025, we added New York because they had the most participants in our Zoom State championships.  And we added North Carolina because they hosted the largest Mini Tourney.  We'll continue to add states based on the largest participation in our other events.
  7. How can we get you to host a championship in our area?  Contact me at [email protected] if you know of a good venue for a contest.  The venue must be in a safe location, have great lighting, 4000+ square feet, plenty of 6-foot rectangular tables, plenty of chairs, a sound system, and preferably a projector & screen available.  It also must be available all day on a Saturday (from at least 8am - 6pm) at an affordable cost.
  8. What types of divisions (puzzles and piece counts) do you have?  We hold contests for Adults (ages 16-59), Juniors (under 16), and Seniors (60 or over).  The divisions are Solo (200-300p for Juniors and Seniors, 500p for Adults), Pair (300p for Youth, 500-550p for Adults), and Team (500p for Youth, 1000p for Adults).  Starting in 2026, we are adding a casual division for all 3 main events, using the same puzzles as we use for Juniors and Seniors.  We added Pairs Relay to all locations in 2025, and we are adding a Puzzle Pyramid (either Solo or Pair) in 2026.
  9. Do you recommend any specific hotels for reduced rates?  We have made multiple attempts to provide discounted pricing at area hotels, but each one has required that we guarantee a certain number of rooms.  We don't have the resources to ensure enough people reserve rooms at any given hotel.
  10. What time do we need to arrive?  Check-in times may vary depending on location.  Please see that location's website for details.  Early check-in is not allowed, and you will need to check in for the first event you are participating in.  Brief instructions and rules will be given immediately following the check-in window, and the contest will begin immediately afterward.
  11. What size is our puzzling space?  We do our best to use 6-foot rectangular tables, but occasionally only 8-foot tables are available.  We divide each table in half for Solo and Pairs, but Teams get to use a whole table.
  12. Where do we need to sit?  Starting in mid-2024, we have begun to use assigned seating for all in-person championships.  
  13. What do we do for snacks or drinks?  The rules vary by venue.  If the venue allows it, you may bring in your own food or drinks.
  14. How does the puzzle swap work?  Every registered participant may participate in the swap at no cost.  Friends/guests may also purchase a swap ticket to participate.  You can bring 1 or many puzzles that are complete (have no missing pieces).  For each puzzle you bring, you may take home one puzzle of similar piece count and quality.  Dollar store brands like Puzzlebug may not be brought to the puzzle swap.
  15. Are spectators allowed?  Yes.  Starting in 2025, each spectator must purchase a Spectator/Puzzle Swap ticket (available at the bottom of each location's website).  We began charging because we have to rent tables and chairs for many of our venues, and we need to ensure enough chairs are available for all competitors and their guests.
Championship Rules:
  1. What tools can we use in your championships?  You may use box top holders and sorting trays (limited in size and quantity based on USA Jigsaw Nationals rules here).  You may also use earbuds to listen to music.  You may not bring magnifying tools (including a camera to enlarge the image), puzzle scoops/spatulas, risers to lift the table, or personal lighting.
  2. Can we bring a blade or blunt tool to open the puzzle box?  No--but we always slice through the cellophane or stickers so you may easily open the box.
  3. ​What is the time limit for each contest?  Starting in 2026, the time limit is 1 hour, 45 minutes for Solo, 45 minutes for Pairs Relay, 75 minutes for Pair, 1 hour for Puzzle Pyramid, and 2 hours for Team.
  4. What if we have one or more youth and one or more adult?  Juniors and Seniors may participate with an adult in the Adult division for Pairs or Team, but adults 16-59 may not compete in a Junior or Senior division.  Pairs or Teams containing a mix of Junior/Senior, Junior/Adult, Senior/Adult must participate in one of the Adult divisions.