Duluth Jigsaw Puzzle Contest 2026

The Duluth Jigsaw Puzzle Contest is back May 15th and 16th! We will kick things off with a Social and Swap Friday night before diving into a full day of speed puzzling on Saturday. We are excited to announce that we'll be back for another year of puzzling at Duluth's beautiful convention center in the Harborside Ballroom right on Lake Superior!

New this year:

• MNJPA Minnesota Championship Solo Contest! Are you the fastest puzzler in the greatest puzzling state? Come find out by competing in the first annual MNJPA Minnesota Championship. Championship winner is guaranteed a spot at the USAJPA Nationals.
• MNJPA Minnesota Championship Team Contest! This is a FOUR person team contest.
• Sarah Does Puzzles puzzling room! Puzzle all day long or in between contests. This room will be open to the public so friends and family who aren't competing will be welcome to come puzzle with us--for free! There will be a puzzle swap all day Saturday too!
• Special Speed Run Contest announcement sponsored by Sarah Does Puzzles

Friday, May 15

Social and Swap

We are SUPER excited to announce that our Swap and Social will take place at Wild State Cider from 4 to 9 pm! Come enjoy a beverage or two while you puzzle and win prizes at this wonderful cider taproom in the very cool Lincoln Park business district. New this year--Wrecktangle Pizza at Wild State! Wild State is family friendly too.

Saturday, May 16

Speed Puzzling Contests

• MNJPA Minnesota State Championship Team Contest -- 8:30 to 10:00 am. Four person teams will have 1.5 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzle. Note: Championship title is reserved for a team with at least one Minnesota resident, but all placers will be recognized and eligible for prizes.
• Pairs Contest--10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Puzzlers will have 2 hours to complete their 500 piece puzzles.
• MNJPA Minnesota State Championship Solo Speed Contest--1:30 to 3:30 pm. Solo puzzlers will have 2 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzles. This contest will qualify for JPAR ranking. Note: Championship title is reserved for a Minnesota resident, but all placers will be recognized and eligible for prizes.
• Team Contest--1:30 to 3:30 pm. Three and Four person teams will have 2 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzle. (This contest takes place at the same time as the Solo contest.)
• Pairs Puzzle Relay--4:00 to 5:30 pm Pairs will race to complete two puzzles at the same time. Puzzles will be under 500 each.

Contests sponsored by PuzzleTwist, Sarah Does Puzzles, Minnesota Jigsaw Puzzle Association, and more, to be announced.

• Puzzle size for each contest varies and is indicated in the description above. Each contest will use a different puzzle.
• Participants can register to compete in up to FOUR team/pair contests and/or ONE solo contest.
• Pairs and Team Contests use 6' round tables, one team per table. No split tables. Solo contest uses 6' split tables.
• Tickets are sold per team, not per person, with the exception of the Individual contest.
• Puzzlers get to keep their puzzles.

Lunch Break--Take a break during the day! Canal Park is right across the blue slip bridge. There are many great restaurants and shops to explore.

Team Captain and contact info: You are not required to provide your team name or team member names and emails with the exception of the team captain, but we do appreciate this info. If additional info needs to be provided to your team, having emails for all team members allows us to connect with your entire team and not just the captain.

Need a team member? The page is a great resource to find team members for any of the above contests.

Hotel: Special price available until April 15--The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza. This is the closest hotel to the DECC. It is located at 325 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802. Call to book your room and let them know you are part of the Duluth Jigsaw Puzzle Contest block. Rooms range from $199-209 and include breakfast. Hotel Phone: (218) 727-4663.

T-shirts: Event t-shirts will be available for pre-order in March.

Volunteers: Volunteers receive a free event t-shirt and much appreciation! Let us know on your registration if you would like to be part of the team!

Questions regarding the contest or payment? Please contact Stacey at [email protected]. Registration will stay open until May 12 or when spots are filled. We'll indicate when contests close on this registration form. This event fills up so please register early! If a team needs to cancel, a refund will be issued if notification is received by April 25, 2025.

Info: Four person teams will have 1.5 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzle.

Info: Puzzlers will have 2 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzles.

Info: Solo puzzlers will have 2 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzles. This contest will qualify for JPAR ranking. Championship winner is guaranteed a spot at the USAJPA Nationals!

Info: Three and Four person teams will have 2 hours to complete their 500-piece puzzle. NOTE: This contest is at the same time as the Solo contest. Do not sign up for this contest if team members are registered for the Solo contest.

Info: Pairs will race to complete two puzzles. Puzzles will be under 500 each.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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