*Schedule and event details are subject to change prior to registration release.

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Schedule
Wednesday 2nd June 2027
10:00    Doors Open
10:50    Championship Briefing
11:00    Pairs: Challenges 1 & 2 (back-to-back)
12:30    Challenges 1 & 2 End
13:30    Pairs: Challenges 3 & 4 (back-to-back)
15:00    Challenges 3 & 4 End
16:00    Pairs: Challenge 5
17:00    Challenge 5 Ends

Saturday 5th June 2027
15:30    Awards Ceremony

Pairs Championship Challenges

• Puzzle images are selected by organisers to test specific skills associated with each Challenge.

• Shrink-wrap and stickers will be removed/cut before puzzles are placed on tables. Competitors do not need to bring tools.

 

In each Challenge, Pairs will:

• Receive an unreleased puzzle in an opaque bag.

• Open the puzzle only when instructed. If there is an issue with your puzzle, raise your hand for event staff.

• Assemble as much of the puzzle as possible within the allocated time.

• Receive a recorded time for each Challenge.

• Earn a rank for each Challenge.

• Receive an overall score on the leaderboard.

• Compete in all five Challenges, with no elimination rounds.

Back-to-Back Challenges
For Challenges 1 & 2 and Challenges 3 & 4, Pairs will receive both puzzles at the beginning of the session in opaque bags of different colours. Pairs will be instructed which bag to open first. The second bag must remain closed and under the competition table until the first puzzle is completed and its time has been officially recorded. Once recorded, the Pair must immediately disassemble and remove the first puzzle from the table. The Pair may then open the second bag and begin the next Challenge. 

Challenge 1 - Image: Repetition
500 pieces - Speedmaster
The puzzle image contains colours, patterns, textures or details which appear repeatedly.

Challenge 2 - Image: Detailed
500 pieces - Speedmaster
The puzzle image contains many feature items and details.

Challenge 3 - Format: Random Cut
500 pieces - Boardwalk
The puzzle features irregularly shaped pieces with a non-standard cut pattern.

Challenge 4 - Format: Wood
250 pieces - Wentworth
The wooden puzzle features classic-cut pieces and uniquely shaped pieces known as whimsies.

Challenge 5 - Unboxed Puzzle
500 pieces - Buffalo
The puzzle pieces will be provided in a sealed bag without the box. The puzzle box will be provided after the Challenge.

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Championship Briefing
The mandatory Championship Briefing begins at 10:50 and will lead directly into Challenge 1 at 11:00.

• Rules will not be repeated before each Challenge.

• Competitors are responsible for understanding the rules before competing.
   

Competition Zone

• Only competitors, staff and authorised media personnel may enter the Competition Zone.

• Your table allocation will be emailed before the event and will remain the same for all Challenges.

• Seating allocations are fixed and cannot be changed or swapped.

• Working space is 90 cm × 75 cm per Pair. Pairs will share tables with other competitors.

• Permitted equipment: puzzle box lid holders and up to two sorting trays, each no larger than A4 size.

• Competitors may use headphones.

• Only beverages with secure lids are permitted. No food or unsealed drinks are allowed, except where required for health reasons.

• Aisles must remain clear. Bags and bulky items must be left in the nearby Spectator Zone. Small personal items may be left at competition tables between Challenges; however, all personal items remain the competitor's responsibility.

• Pairs must be seated at their assigned table 10 minutes before each Challenge.

• Puzzle bags and boxes must remain untouched and unopened until instructed.

• Puzzles must be completed directly on the table surface or sorting trays. Mats and templates are not permitted.

• Pieces dropped on the floor will remain where they fall. Timekeepers will not retrieve dropped pieces.

• Puzzle bags placed in the aisle will be collected by timekeepers. Any pieces remaining inside will be placed on the floor where the bag was collected.

• Competitors must respect each other’s space. Disruptive behaviour will result in a verbal warning and may result in disqualification if it continues.

• Competitors may temporarily leave the Competition Zone during a Challenge. The Challenge and official timer will continue. Substitutions are not permitted.

• Once a Pair's time has been recorded for all puzzles in the Challenge session, both competitors must leave the Competition Zone.

• Roving cameras will operate within the Competition Zone. Upon registration, competitors consent to appearing in livestreams, social media content and photographs.

Spectator Zone

• Spectators are welcome and encouraged to attend. No ticket or entry fee is required.

• Grandstands surround the Competition Zone for optimal viewing.

• Spectators must be respectful of competitors while Challenges are in progress; however, cheering for finishes is encouraged.

Time Recording - Completed Puzzles

• Times will be recorded by official timekeepers.

• A 5-second penalty applies per missing piece when a Pair declares completion.

• If two or more adjacent pieces are missing, this is considered a manufacturing defect and no penalty applies.

• Pairs may not declare “time” or “complete” before the allocated time concludes unless all available pieces are fully assembled.

• Only the time recorded by official timekeepers according to the official timer will be submitted. Personal timers are for personal use only.

Time Recording - Incomplete Puzzles

• When the time limit expires, Pairs must immediately stop puzzling.

• Timekeepers will count remaining pieces.

• Connected groups of three or more pieces will be counted as assembled. Single pieces and groups of two pieces will be counted as incomplete. For clarity, groups of two pieces will be counted as two pieces remaining.

• Remaining pieces incur a 5-second penalty each, added to the final time.

• A Pair who does not attend a Challenge will receive a score of the total allocated time plus a penalty for every puzzle piece. They will also forfeit the puzzle from that Challenge.

Scoring & Leaderboard
Times from all Challenges are added together to form a cumulative total time.

A live leaderboard will be updated after each Challenge.

The Pair with the lowest cumulative time after all Challenges will be crowned the Pairs World Series Champions.

Registration & Eligibility

Registration details and dates coming soon

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• One registration is required per Pair.

• Maximum entries: 350 Pairs.

• Each Pair must consist of two competitors.

• Both competitors' names must be supplied at registration.

• Competitors of all nationalities are eligible to compete.

• Country representation is not required for Pairs.

• Minimum age: 10 years.

• Competitors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, who does not need to compete. 

• The names of registered competitors will be published on the event website.

• Registrations are non-refundable, except where a refund may be granted for medical circumstances.

• Registrations are non-transferable.

• If sold out, refunds may be considered to release registrations to the waitlist; a $20 administration fee applies.

• If the registration holder cancels, this will remove registration for both members of the Pair.

• If the event is cancelled or postponed, refunds will be issued. Travel and accommodation costs will not be reimbursed.

• Pair member names may be changed after registration. Changes should be submitted at least 30 days before the event to appear correctly on printed competitor materials. Later changes may be accepted but may not appear on printed materials.

• If one member of a Pair is absent, the Pair cannot compete.

• Reasonable accommodations will be made where possible for competitors with accessibility requirements. Please contact us as early as possible to discuss your requirements.

• Service animals are permitted. Pets are not permitted.

Prizes
1st: $3,000 + Trophy + Puzzle
2nd: $2,000 + Trophy + Puzzle
3rd: $1,000 + Trophy + Puzzle
4th: $500 + Trophy + Puzzle
5th: $300 + Trophy + Puzzle

Cash prizes are awarded per Pair. Each competitor will receive the listed trophy and puzzle.
All cash prizes are listed in Canadian Dollars (CAD).