20th Annual Albany New Year’s Scrabble Tournament
Embedded Files
Main Event: WOW & CSW
26 games | Dec 31-Jan 3
$150 USD ($215 CDN*)
Minimum Division 1 Top Prizes
WOW: $1000 / CSW: $2500
Play CSW – Get Free Entry!
(Under 1600, New-to-CSW, Details coming soon)
Early Bird: WOW & CSW
7 games | Dec 30
$25 USD ($35 CDN*)
Late Bird: WOW & CSW
6 games | Jan 4
$25 USD ($35 CDN*)
Scroll to bottom of page for schedule
Scrabble Tournament
26 Game Main Event
7 Game Early Bird
6 Game Late Bird
Celebrate the New Year
Ring in the New Year with your fellow Scrabblers
After Hours games and fun!
Door Prizes
Door prizes every day
Last year: hotel night, board, clock, racks, tiles & more!
Pizza Party
Sign up to order pizza by the slice
Play Scrabble and other board games
Team Trivia
Hosted by Matthew O'Connor
Free to Play!
Cash Prizes!
Hosted Dinners
Sign up to have dinner with your Scrabble friends at a local restaurant
Albany Marriott
189 Wolf Rd, Albany NY 12205 USA
Hotel Information
Room rate $109/night + taxes USD.
NOTE: to be considered "in the room block" and avoid the commuter fee, you must book directly through the hotel via the link below or by calling. Any bookings through third party websites or by loyalty points are considered outside the room block.
Book by phone: 800-443-8952 or thru this link
Commuter fee per person (if not staying at the tournament hotel and within the room block) for main event: $30 US ($45 CDN)
Deadline to book is Dec 22, 2025. After that date, book the room at whatever rate is available and contact Kieran with confirmation number to get rate adjusted to Scrabble rate.
Hotel Amenities
Parking is no cost for players
Free WiFi in guest rooms, lobby and playing room
All rooms have mini-fridge, coffee maker. Lobby microwaves.
In-hotel restaurant/bar
You may cancel your room booking, with no penalty, up until 4PM, two days before the first night of your reservation.
EV charging (free) 2 minute walk from hotel. Link
Tournament Information
Sponsored by WGPO (donation to prize pool) and Bob Linn (donation to CSW prize pool and New-to-CSW players). Details coming soon.
Play CSW – Get Free Entry! Under 1600, New-to-CSW, Details coming soon.
Commuter fee per person (if not staying at the tournament hotel and within the room block) for main event: $30 US ($45 CDN)
All entry and commuter fees must be paid by October 14, 2025. We cannot accept cash on site. If you have not paid, you will be dropped from the tournament. To register or pay your entry fee, go to the "contact and registration page."
Swiss/COP pairings. WOW and CSW divisions will be set closer to the event.
One game from WOW Division A or CSW will be streamed online each round, at Directors' discretion. Players rated 1600 or above should expect to be streamed.
Please bring a board, clock and tiles to the tournament
In addition to place prizes, performance-based prizes will be given in all divisions
Prizes paid in $USD. Prize payouts $100 USD and over will be paid electronically or by check from WGPO
Directors may alter tournament structure in best interest of the event, including spread Gibsonization
Reduced price "Grab & Go" lunch menu available.
Check our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for other info
To register or pay your entry fee, go to the "contact and registration page."
* Canadian prices are subject to change based on exchange rates
Tournament Schedule
Tuesday Dec 30
11:30 AM - 3:15 PM Early Bird Rounds 1-4, then 30 minute snack break
3:45 PM - 6:45 PM Early Bird Rounds 5-7
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Pizza Party. Order pizza by the slice, play Scrabble or other board games with your friends.
Wednesday Dec 31
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Main Event Rounds 1-3
3:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 4-6
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM New Year's Eve! After hours in game room, play Scrabble or other board games with your friends.
Thursday Jan 1
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 7-10
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 11-14
9:00 PM - 10:30 PM Team Trivia in game room. Participation is free. Prizes to top 2 winning teams (up to 5 players/team)
Friday Jan 2
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 15-18
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 19-22
7:15 PM - 9:00 PM Hosted Dinners (sign up form)
Saturday Jan 3
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 23-26, prize ceremony follows
Sunday Jan 4
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Late Bird Rounds 1-3
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Late Bird Rounds 4-6, prize ceremony follows
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