2024 Scrabble Players Championship

The 2024 Scrabble Players Championship (SPC) will take place will take place in South Bend (IN) at the Century Center Convention Center from July 20 to 24, 2024.

This webpage is subject to change and will be updated regularly as the plans are finalized.

Important Dates

• February 29, 2024 - End of free T-shirt with registration
• May 31, 2024 - End of regular registration (base entry fee increases $50)
• June 30, 2024 - Room block closes
• June 30, 2024 - End of Qualification Rating period
• July 3, 2024 - Close of registration (no refunds granted after this date)

Cutoffs effective 11:59pm EDT

Registration

This section describes in detail the various terms and conditions of registration, most of which are also discussed on the registration form.

Eligibility

To play in the SPC, you must (1) be a NASPA member, and (2) have played in an officially sanctioned Scrabble tournament to earn an official tournament rating. If you live in the United States or Canada, that rating should be a NASPA rating; if you live elsewhere, it may be a WESPA rating or other comparable national rating.

Qualification Rating

Placement into respective divisions is determined by your Qualification Rating (QR).

Your QR consists of the highest rating attained at the end of any NASPA NWL or Collins (CSW) rated tournament that finished during the period from July 14, 2023 (the 2023 SPC Early Bird) to June 30, 2024.

If you have a rating, but do not play during this period, your QR is the higher of your unchanged current NWL or CSW rating.

For players who have ratings in both lexica, the higher peak or current rating will be used in most cases. For example, a player whose computed QR is 1810 in CSW and 1600 in NWL will use 1810 as her QR for division placement in either CSW or NWL.

• If, however, a player has played exclusively in one lexicon for the past 3 years (excluding the COVID-19 moratorium) - that is, since 1/15/2019 - and registers to play in that lexicon, only the QR for that lexicon will be used.

NWL Divisions

Four NWL divisions will be offered, divided by QR.

Playups are allowed within 100 points to the Championship Division (Division 1). Unlimited playups are allowed in the other divisions.

• If your QR is 1800 or higher, you must play in Division 1.
• If your QR is in the range 1700–1799, you can play in Division 1 or 2.
• If your QR is in the range 1450–1699, you must play in Division 2.
• If your QR is in the range 1150–1449, you can play in Division 2 or 3.
• If your QR is below 1150, you can play in Division 2, 3, or 4.

Collins Divisions

There will be 2 Collins divisions, divided by QR.

• If your QR is 1600 or higher, you must play in Division 1.
• If it is 1599 or below, you can play in Division 1 or 2.

Players who only have a WESPA rating will be permitted to play in Division 1 or 2 if that rating is 1499 or below.

If there are fewer than 20 players registered in either division as of June 15, 2023, the divisions will be automatically combined into a single division. Players wishing to switch to NWL after divisions are combined will be allowed to do so at no charge.

The Collins division will be run using NASPA rules, except that the Collins lexicon will be used and the challenge penalty will be 5 points per word. The Collins division will rated by both NASPA and WESPA.

Entry Fees

The base entry fee for all divisions is $250.

The Early and Late Birds each have a separate entry fee - $20.

Youths, defined as those whose 18th birthday is after July 20, 2024, pay 1/2 of the base entry fee - $125.

The above fees will be increased by $50 after May 31, 2024. For example, a non-youth player signing up for the SPC on June 1, 2024, would pay $300, while a youth would pay $175.

Players accepted after the close of registration on July 3, 2024 must pay a $75 late penalty. For example, a non-youth player signing up for the SPC on July 5, 2024, would pay $375, while a youth would pay $250. Acceptance of registrants after July 3, 2024 is not guaranteed and will generally only be permitted if it does not cause a division to be uneven.

Fees payable are computed based on when (Eastern Time) funds are received in full. If you are not paying right away online at the moment when you register, please be sure to allow enough time for your mailed payment to reach us.

Commuter / Facility Fee

Players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at one of the host hotels for the duration of the SPC Main Event must also pay a commuter / facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum per event).

• Players booked at a host hotel but outside of the room block will be subject to the commuter fee.
• The commuter fee does not apply to those local to the South Bend (metropolitan statistical) area.

Verification of status as a hotel guest will be performed at registration/check-in and throughout the event. Players staying at the host hotel for only part of the championship must pay the full commuter fee and may then apply for a refund of $20 per day stayed at a host hotel after the conclusion of the championship, by providing the Championship Committee with hotel confirmation number and dates of stay.

Registration Form Tips

• Before you click Review, make sure that all section headings are green.
• If any section headings are pink, you still need to answer 1 or more questions in that section. The answer spaces for those question will be red.
• Click the question mark next to a prompt for more information.
• If you will be staying in one of the event hotels but have not yet booked a reservation, enter UNKNOWN as your confirmation code.
• Once you click Review, you will see the option to pay now via credit card or to pay later. Your payment must be received by May 31st to avoid additional fees.
• If you need to change your registration, contact the Championship Committee. Do not register again.

Payment Options

You can pay at the time you register via credit card (Visa or MasterCard - US funds).

Paying After You Register

If you choose to pay later, the following options are available:

• Make an online payment to NASPA - Use our Miscellaneous Payment Tool to pay via credit card. We recommend that you notify the Championship Committee so that we can mark you as paid.
• Mail a check or money order (US funds) to NASPA at 48 Flamehill Road, Levittown, PA 19056
• Use Interac e-Transfer to pay in Canadian funds - Contact us for current exchange rates and recipient information.
• Transfer the funds via wire transfer - Contact the Championship Committee for instructions and recipient information.

Click here for more information about payment options.

Registration Changes

Registration changes are subject to the following conditions:

• Division changes are subject to a $25 fee. Fee will be waived if request is sent within 24 hours of initial registration.
• After registration closes on July 3, 2024, if your request would increase the number of players who may have byes (i.e., if you would make two divisions odd or would make a smaller division odd), you will be wait listed until this is not the case.

If your rating rises above the limit for the SPC division in which you registered, you will automatically be moved to the lowest division for which you qualify.

To modify your registration after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Refunds

If you paid your tournament fees by credit card, any credit owing to you will be issued to your card; otherwise, we will mail a check to you.

All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee of $25.

If you decide you need to cancel your registration, we will refund your entry fee (and commuter fee, if applicable), if you so request by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 3, 2024. No refunds will be issued after this date.

To cancel your registration after you have registered, please email the organizing committee at nsc@scrabbleplayers.org.

Conditions

Rules, Code, and Terms/Conditions

By registering for the SPC, you agree to abide by the tournament rules and NASPA Code of Conduct and and to comply with the 2024 Scrabble Players Championship Terms and Conditions.

The Scrabble Players Championship will use the current NASPA Rules.

In particular, games at this tournament - probably the highest Division 1 board without a Gibsonized player - will be annotated and/or streamed live. If you refuse to play a designated game with annotation or streaming, you will forfeit it and may at the director’s discretion be assigned a spread penalty of −200 points.

Minor Release

A signed Minor Release and Consent Form is required for all players under age 18 as of July 19, 2024. The form may be downloaded and submitted in advance or executed by a parent or guardian at registration.

Equipment Required

Participants in the Scrabble Players Championship are responsible for bringing all equipment necessary to play in the tournament. If neither player in a game has equipment available for their game, a double forfeit may be imposed.

Changes

The Championship Committee reserves the right to modify the above to account for unforeseen special circumstances.

Format

Main Event

Players will be paired using tsh, with Gibsonization (determined by number of games plus spread - 1000 points per round).

The winners of the top divisions in both NWL and CSW lexicons shall be determined as follows:

• After Round 28, the top two players (as determined by record and spread) will enter a best of five playoff to determine champion and runner-up.

• Finals Round 1 and 2 will take place while all other player complete Rounds 29 through 31 to determine their final standing.

• Finals Round 3 (and Rounds 4-5 if needed) will be streamed at the conclusion of the Prize Ceremony for non-finalists.

Early and Late Bird Format

Chew pairings will be in effect (with no fixed initial schedule), with Gibsonization (determined by number of games plus spread - 1000 points per round).

No division will have more than 16 players. If four or more players prefer Collins, they will play in a separate Collins division.

Hotel/Travel Information

Hotel Registration

The official event hotels are:

• Courtyard by Marriott - 123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard - Across the street from the Century Center
• Doubletree by Hilton - 123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard - Connected to the Century Center via a covered walking bridge

Tournament entrants are eligible for our group rate of $139 (plus applicable taxes and fees).

Hotel bookings at our group rate are subject to availability within our group rate block of rooms and must be booked on or before June 30, 2024. After that date, rooms may be available at the hotel's prevailing room rates.

As noted above, players not booked IN THE ROOM BLOCK at one of the host hotels or the duration of the SPC Main Event must also pay a commuter/facility fee of $20 per day ($100 maximum).

Hotel Features

Both event hotels offer:

• Complimentary Wifi
• Rooms with desks, refrigerators, and coffeemakers
• Fitness center
• Indoor pool
• Smoke-free
• 3 PM Check-In and 12 Noon Check-Out

The table below provides additional details about each hotel:

Feature	Courtyard by Marriott	Doubletree by Hilton
Room Types	King or Queen	King or Double
Early Arrival / Late Departure	Up to 3 days before / after event dates - Book directly with hotel	Up to 2 days before / after event dates
Parking	Complimentary valet parking	$5 / night with in / out privileges
Airport Transportation	See below	Complimentary hotel shuttle
Onsite Dining	The Bistro - open for breakfast / dinner	Starbucks and Baker's Bar & Grille - Full breakfast available
Self-Service Laundry	Yes
Reservations	Online or contact hotel directly	Online or contact hotel directly
Phone Number	574-237-7777	574-234-2000
Website	Courtyard website	Doubletree website

Event Parking

Attendees can park at the Century Center for $5 per car per day.

Exploring South Bend

South Bend, IN - located 90 miles east of Chicago, IL - is the home of the University of Notre Dame - worth a visit!, the Studebaker Museum, and the South Bend Cubs (who will be in town at their nearby ballpark).

Downtown South Bend features many eclectic, locally owned restaurants that keep the dining scene upbeat and flavorful.

Getting to South Bend

South Bend, IN, is served by the South Bend International Airport. As of January 2024, the airport has 12 nonstop destinations and connections worldwide with flights from Allegiant, American, Delta, and United.

The airport is located 4 miles from the Century Center and event hotels - with taxi, shuttle, and ride share services available. The Doubletree offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport for hotel guests.

The South Shore Line connects the airport with downtown Chicago. Consider flying in or out of Chicago and visiting Chicago too!

Amtrak connects South Bend to major cities like Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston and Washington D.C.

Greyhound offers direct bus service from several Midwest destinations to downtown South Bend.

If you prefer to drive, South Bend is in the heart of the Great Lakes region between Chicago, Detroit, Columbus and Indianapolis. It is just 10 miles south of the Michigan State line and easily accessible from the Indiana Toll Road.

SPC Satellite Events

A complimentary 2024 SPC registration will be awarded to one player for every 50 players participating in an SPC Satellite Event.

An SPC Satellite Event must have at least 14 rounds over multiple days and at least 50 players across all divisions in the specific event.

Full details about the program can be found here.