FAQ
What are the dates for the 2023 North American School Scrabble Championship?
Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2.
Where will the tournament take place?
The tournament will be held at Planet Word in Washington, D.C. The museum is located at 925 13th Street NW. Please plan to enter through the courtyard entrance located on K Street between 12th and 13th Streets NW. Please refer to the online map if you are not familiar with the area.
How do I register to play in the tournament?
Where can I find the latest schedule?
Do I need to register in order to participate?
Yes, registration is required for all tournament players.
Who is eligible to participate?
The tournament is open to students in grades 3 through 12 competing in two divisions.
- Championship Division (grades 3-8): Players will compete in teams of two. All teams will play eight games. The top two finishers will play a one-game championship final.
- High School Division (grades 9-12): One-on-one play. All competitors will play eight games. The top two finishers will play a one-game championship final.
Is there an entry fee to participate in the tournament?
Yes, there is an entry fee of $100 per team for the Championship Division and $50 per player for the High School Division.
Is there a limit on the number of participants?
Due to space limitations, the event will be limited to around 100 participants. Therefore, early registration is encouraged.
What is the word source for the tournament?
The official lexicon for the event is the NASPA School Word List 2020 (NSWL2020). This list is available in the word study program Zyzzyva and the lookup app ULU.
New words in the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Seventh Edition, which was released in November, have not yet been added to tournament Scrabble and will NOT be playable at the 2023 NASSC.
Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to compete in the tournament?
Yes. Please read the tournament COVID Guidelines.
Will my travel expenses be covered?
All players and families are responsible for their own travel-related costs.
Is there a specific hotel affiliated with the tournament?
No, there is no hotel block for the event. However, there are multiple hotel options within walking distance of Planet Word. Please see the Hotel and Area Information section of this website for a list of hotel options.
Do I need a ticket to visit the Planet Word exhibits during the tournament?
Yes. Visitors need a timed pass to tour the exhibits. You can reserve a pass in advance. Also, the museum will provide walkup passes for parents and other tournament guests after check-in on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Players will receive passes to visit the exhibits during lunch on Saturday.
Will the tournament be available online?
Yes. One game per round will be livestreamed. Some of the livestreamed games will be shown in the Friedman Family Auditorium for family and friends of the competitors. Scoreboard, standings, pairings, and other information will be updated during the event. Stay tuned for links.
Are spectators permitted in the playing room?
No. The tournament will be held in the Mansard Room on the fourth floor. The playing room will be open to competitors and staff only. Parents, coaches, and other guests are welcome to gather in the Friedman Family Auditorium on the first floor to watch the livestream. There also will be a welcome area with Scrabble boards and tournament information in Classroom A on the second floor.
During the short breaks between games, players can meet with friends and family in the auditorium or on the rooftop terrace adjacent to the Mansard Room. We do ask that anyone on the terrace or entering and exiting the fourth-floor elevators please be respectful of games in progress and keep their voices down.