WORD CUP 2023 is a 31 game Championship Level Scrabble Event
Get the latest updates here (update 5/1/23):
$50,000 WGPO Prize Donation (on top of entry fees)
$10,000 Top Prizes for NWL & CSW (min 50 players per)
Generous Division, Class, and Fun Prizes
Daily Social Events like Karaoke, Trivia, and more
Dozens of walkable restaurants minutes from venue
Questions? email wordcup@letsplayscrabble.com
International Players
If you are traveling from outside the United States, we have an FAQ page for international players.
Word Cup 2023 Entry Fees
All participants must join Word Game Players Organization (WGPO). It's free to join! Click here
Commuter fee ($50) is charged on a per player basis for those not staying at the venue hotel (in the official room block)
All prices USD
To pay your entry fee, options include
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, CashApp, JCB, ApplePay, GooglePay. Head to our payment site.
US funds through PayPal at https://PayPal.me/EventRegistrations, specifying "Word Cup"
US funds through Venmo at https://account.venmo.com/u/wgposcrabble
A check in US funds made out to WGPO PO Box 6962, Moraga CA 94570, USA
Canadians: contact Josh Greenway for Canadian payments: josh@letsplayscrabble.com
The Venue: Marriott Albany
189 Wolf Road, Albany NY 12205
Book your room now
⬇️click here⬇️
The Details:
$114 Room rate
Free parking
Free airport shuttle
Free WiFi
Indoor/outdoor pools, fitness center
On site restaurant & lounge
Players make their own hotel reservations via this link, or by calling 888-236-2427 and mentioning "Word Cup"
Group rate is $114/day (for the nights of 6/28-7/6) and is available until June 16, 2023 (or until rooms sell out)
Hotel is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Albany (ALB) airport
Divisions / Play-up Policy
We expect 3-4 TWL and 1-2 CSW divisions based on the divisions below (depending on registration).
NWL18 (based on peak WGPO rating / equivalent rating) See peak ratings
Division One: 1800+
Division Two: 1400+
Division Three: 1000+
Division Four: <1000 (will be collapsed into division three if there are fewer than 20 players registered by 6/1/23. Prizes will be adjusted)
CSW21 (based on peak WGPO rating / equivalent rating). WESPA rated
Division One: 1600+
Division Two: <1600 (will be collapsed into division one if there are fewer than 20 players registered by 6/1/23. Prizes will be adjusted)
A player’s rating for division eligibility purposes will be determined as follows:
If a player has played a rated tournament between 6/1/2022 and 6/15/2023, then their peak rating during that period in any lexicon from any organization (WGPO, CoCo, WESPA or NASPA), will be used.
If a player has not played in a tournament between 6/1/2022 and 6/15/2023, then their highest current rating in any lexicon from any organization (WGPO, CoCo, WESPA or NASPA) will be used.
Unlimited play-ups will be offered, at the Directors' discretion, until June 1, 2023. After that date, play-ups will be offered only at the Director's discretion.
NWL Division 4 and CSW Division 2 needs 20 people by 6/1 or it may be collapsed into division above it. Prizes will be adjusted.
Anyone may play in either of the early birds, which are rated tournaments
All players must have played in a rated tournament before playing in the Main Event. (Either of the early birds would qualify a player to play in the main event)
Word Cup 2023 Schedule
Players within driving range need only 2 vacation days and 4 hotel nights to play Word Cup 2023!
Covid 19 Information
Covid 19 vaccines are recommended, but not required.
International Players
If you are traveling from outside the United States, we have an FAQ page for international players.
Directing team
Josh Greenway
WGPO & NASPA certified director
email:
wordcup@letsplayscrabble.com
Kieran O'Connor
WGPO & NASPA certified director
email:
wordcup@letsplayscrabble.com
What people are saying
seth lipkin
I'm excited to see steps towards a unified Scrabble world. What I love about Kieran and Josh's tourneys is the great organization, live results, and the fun side events like trivia. Albany has always been popular because of its relative convenience to a lot of Scrabble hot spots, from Ottawa to Toronto to Boston to NYC to Philly, and I'm sure that this Word Cup and future Albany events will continue to be a great place for Scrabblers to gather.
steve pellinen
I’m excited to see the Word Cup returning to the Scrabble hotbed that is the Northeastern U.S.
will anderson
Josh and Kieran are the dynamic duo behind many of my fondest Scrabble experiences. As directors and organizers, few can match their attention to detail, innovation, and genuine concern and care for their players. I’m so excited to see them take charge of Word Cup 2023 and can’t wait to support them however I can.
chloe fatsis
Josh and Kieran run a great tournament, from their professional and smooth directing, to the fun after hours events, to the strong camaraderie they foster. The 2023 WGPO Word Cup is sure to be a fantastic time!
mike baron
I am delighted to learn Word Cup 2023 will be in Albany this year, and that Josh Greenway, one of Scrabble’s finest ambassadors, will be organizing the event! For years, I’ve wanted to attend the Fourth of July Albany extravaganza, so count me in! With the WGPO imprimatur on the event, I am sure it will be an exceptionally fun and well organized event.
lynda finn
I'm so looking forward to Word Cup 2023 where we prove that collaboration can pay off for all Scrabble players. Hope to see you there.
JACkson smylie
The dream team of Josh and Kieran never fail to provide an amazing tournament experience. I can’t wait to see what they do with the 2023 Word Cup and you’ll definitely see me there.
jan cardia
I started playing competitive Scrabble in 1978. To me, there is no other game that compares! WGPO's Word Cup is a must-attend event.
keith hagel
Reno...Minneapolis...Denver...Portland...Madison...Phoenix...Springfield...Los Angeles..Miami...Chicago... and now...Word Cup 2023... ALBANY!! I'm looking forward to playing in my 11th consecutive Word Cup!
heidi robertson
Josh and Kieran are the Scrabble Directing Duo Extraordinaire! You won't find a team more dedicated to a brilliant player experience than these two. Every tourney they direct promises to be incredibly well run and super fun. You're always sorry to see them end!
josh castellano
All of Josh and Kieran's tournaments that I've played in have been exceptionally organized and well run. I always greatly appreciate the careful consideration given to the pairings and their consequences for place prizes, especially in later rounds
helen flores
Scrabble history will be made when Word Cup 2023 comes to Albany. Players from all over North America and the world will compete for over $50,000 in prize funds and “Word Nerd” bragging rights! Competition will be fierce, but we expect peace to break out between games.
Questions? email wordcup@letsplayscrabble.com