American Crossword Puzzle Tournament Returns To Stamford For Final Time

STAMFORD, CT — For the final time in Stamford, word game enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada are scheduled to gather from April 10-12 for the 48th American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT), billed as the world’s oldest and largest crossword event.

The tournament will take place at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, 243 Tresser Blvd., and will be hosted by Will Shortz, crossword editor for The New York Times, founder of the event, and a former Stamford resident.

"More than 1,000 participants, ages 16 to 100, are registered," said Shortz in an announcement. "It will be our largest tournament ever. It's a wonderful way for crossword lovers to test themselves and celebrate their passion, while making and reuniting with friends."

According to an announcement from Shortz several months ago, the tournament will move to Philadelphia, Pa, in 2027.

More than $15,000 in prizes will be awarded across 23 categories this weekend, including skill level, age, geographic region, rookie status and pairs. The grand prize is $7,500. The event is sponsored by Games World of Puzzles magazine.

Registration for the in-person tournament is full for the third consecutive year. A virtual tournament will run concurrently, with live-streamed coverage beginning Friday night and continuing through the weekend at this link.

Additional information and registration details are available at here.

The competition will feature eight crossword puzzles created specifically for the event by leading constructors. Each puzzle has a time limit ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, and contestants earn points based on accuracy and speed.

The top three contestants will compete in a final round Sunday at noon, solving a puzzle at large display boards in front of spectators.

"Stamford is pleased to again host this exciting event that brings visitors, vitality, and dollars into our city and nearby towns," said Tom Civitano, the director of sales and marketing for the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa. "All of our overnight rooms are booked into Sunday, and we have been directing additional business to The Stamford Hotel and other nearby lodgings. The Stamford Marriott has a special affinity for this event, since the ACPT was founded here in 1978 with 149 contestants."

"Stamford is always happy to have this event back, and we welcome its participants and all visitors to enjoy a terrific experience here, in Fairfield County, and across our drivable state," added President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau Robert Murdock.

Based upon the tournament’s projection of 1,150 attendees, including more than 1,000 contestants, Murdock reports that the three-day event is estimated to result in more than $913,000 in revenue for the Stamford area as visitors stay in hotels, dine in local restaurants, shop, and enjoy nearby attractions.

It is projected to generate over $62,000 in taxes for the state, and will support more than 305 hospitality industry jobs.

The weekend schedule includes warm-up games and a reception Friday night, multiple puzzle rounds Saturday, and an awards program and playoff rounds Sunday.

On Saturday evening, the 9th annual Merl Reagle Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in crossword construction will be presented to Lynn Lempel of Daytona Beach, Fla. The program will include in-person and video tributes.

The event will also mark the 20th anniversary of "Wordplay," the 2006 documentary about crosswords and the ACPT, with director Patrick Creadon scheduled to present clips and reflections.

On Sunday morning, Puzzle No. 7 will be presented, followed by a live recording of the "Hello, Puzzlers" podcast hosted by writer A.J. Jacobs and composer Greg Pliska.

Winners will then be announced in more than 20 categories before playoff rounds in the top three divisions, where finalists will compete on stage to complete a final puzzle.

The playoffs will be announced live by comedian and radio host Ophira Eisenberg and Greg Pliska.

To view the full schedule of all activities go to www.crosswordtournament.com.