New Year's 2027

21st Annual Albany New Year’s Scrabble Tournament

Main Event: WOW & CSW

27 games | Dec 31-Jan 3

$150 USD ($215 CDN*)

Play CSW – Get Free Entry!
(Under 1600, New-to-CSW, See Details!)

Early Bird: WOW & CSW

7 games | Dec 30

$25 USD ($35 CDN*)

Scroll to bottom of page for schedule

Click here to Register

Scrabble Tournament

Celebrate the New Year

Door Prizes

Team Trivia

Hosted Dinners

Albany Marriott

189 Wolf Rd, Albany NY 12205 USA

Hotel Information

Room rate $112/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)
Grab and go menu for Scrabblers

Deadline to book is Dec 18, 2026. After that date, book the room at whatever rate is available and contact Kieran with confirmation number to get rate adjusted to Scrabble rate.
4PM, two days before the first night of your reservation.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
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). See details
Play CSW – Get Free Entry! Check this page to get all the details.
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 December 31, 2026. 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 will be split into two divisions at 36 players, and if we are even.
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.
CSW events are WESPA rated
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

Wednesday 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 After hours in the game room. Come hang out with other Scrabblers!

Thursday Dec 31

11:30 AM - 3:15 PM Main Event Rounds 1-4
3:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 5-7
8:00 PM - 12:00 AM New Year's Eve! After hours in game room, play Scrabble or other board games with your friends.

Friday Jan 1

Saturday Jan 2

9:30 AM - 1:30 PM Main Event Rounds 16-19
2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 20-23
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)