Stamford to Host World's Largest Crossword Puzzle Tournament

This coming weekend, hundreds of word-game enthusiasts from across the U.S. and Canada will convene in Stamford, Conn. for the 45th American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT), hosted by Will Shortz, The New York Times’ Crossword Puzzle Editor. The three-day competition will be held this Friday, March 31st through Sunday, April 2nd at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa on 243 Tresser Blvd.

“With over 750 registered participants, ages 16 to 96, the 2023 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT) already has broken its own 45-year attendance record,” explains former Stamford resident and Tournament Director Will Shortz, who founded the event when he was just age 25. “This annual event is a wonderful way for crossword lovers to test themselves and celebrate their passion, while making and reuniting with friends with similar interests.”

Registration for the tournament is full, but people still can sign up to watch the Sunday, April 2nd playoffs for $25 at www.crosswordtournament.com. The playoff round starts that day at 11 a.m. and, at that time, spectators will receive copies of all the weekend’s puzzles. A total of $23,000 in prizes will be awarded in over 20 categories of skill, age, geographical location, and rookie status, including a $7,000 Grand Prize. Debuting this year is the Muriel Saltzman Prize, on behalf of Lisa Saltzman and the Saltzman Family Foundation, with $10,000 in new prizes to be awarded to the top solvers in the five Age Divisions (Junior, Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, Seniors).

Here’s how it works: Eight crosswords, created especially for the 2023 event by leading puzzlemakers, will be presented over the course of the weekend. Each has a time limit of 15 to 45 minutes. Contestants earn points for accuracy and speed. On Sunday, April 2nd at 12 noon, the top three contestants play off on a final puzzle while standing at giant boards for spectators and other contestants to watch. The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament is sponsored by Games World of Puzzles.

“Stamford is excited to host this exciting event that brings visitors, vitality, and dollars into our city and nearby towns,” says Tom Civitano, 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 other nearby hotels. The Stamford Marriott has a special affinity for this event, since its first tournament was held here in 1978 with 149 contestants. In fact, it was featured in the hit 2006 documentary “Wordplay,” which appeared in theaters around the country.

“We welcome this tremendous event back to Stamford and know that its participants and all visitors will enjoy a terrific experience in the city, in Fairfield County, and across our drivable state,” says Robert Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTmeetings), the State’s official meetings and sports event sales and marketing organization. Based upon the Tournament’s projection of 1,000 attendees, including the more than 750 contestants, 75 officials, plus families, guests and spectators, Murdock reports that the three-day event is estimated to result $883,000 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 $54,000 in taxes for the State, and will support more than 325 hospitality industry jobs.* (*Destinations International calculator)

►To view the full schedule of in-person and virtual activities, or to register, go to: www.crosswordtournament.com.