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If you’ve ever seen someone solving a Rubik’s Cube super fast at a competition, you might’ve thought, “That looks fun, I want to try that!” Well, good news: you totally can! WCA competitions (run by the World Cube Association) are open to anyone who wants to test their skills, make new friends, and experience the excitement of cubing in an official event. Whether you’re new to speedcubing or already practicing with your favorite WCA cubes at home, this guide will show you how to find Rubik's Cube competitions and everything else you need to get started.
What Is a WCA Competition?
WCA competitions are official Speed Cube tournaments organized by the World Cube Association (WCA), the worldwide organization that oversees all recognized speed cubing events. If you’ve ever watched world record solves or vlogs from your favorite YouTubers competitions, chances are it was a WCA competition.
These events include timed solves of twisty puzzles like the 3x3 (the classic WCA cube), 2x2, Pyraminx, and many more. Some competitors even go blindfolded!
Looking for puzzles that aren’t used in WCA competitions but are still a blast to solve?
Check out our blog on Our 5 Favorite Non-WCA Cube Puzzles for some fun and unique options you can try at home!
What Makes a WCA Cube Competition “Official”?
At WCA competitions, everything is structured. You solve puzzles in timed rounds, and you’re ranked based on your average solve time. Most events give you five solves per round. Your fastest and slowest are dropped, and the middle three are averaged to get your official result.
Want to break a world record? You’ll need to do it at a WCA competition.
As of today, the WCA officially recognizes 17 events. These include both classic cubes and more advanced or specialized challenges:
- 3x3 – the most popular and iconic WCA cube
- 2x2, 4x4, 5x5, 6x6, 7x7 – larger and smaller versions of the classic cube
- 3x3 One-Handed – solve the 3x3 using just one hand
- 3x3 Blindfolded – memorize, then solve it without looking
- 4x4 Blindfolded
- 5x5 Blindfolded
- 3x3 Multi-Blind – solve as many cubes as you can blindfolded within an hour.
- 3x3 Fewest Moves Challenge (FMC) – solve the cube in the fewest possible moves
- Pyraminx – pyramid-shaped twisty puzzle
- Skewb – A cube-shaped twisty puzzle that rotates around its corners
- Megaminx – a 12-sided puzzle
- Square-1 – a shape-shifting cube
- Clock – a unique event involving pressing pins and turning dials to set clock faces
Not every WCA competition includes all 17 events. Most local competitions focus on the most popular ones like 3x3, 2x2, 4x4, Pyraminx, and Skewb, while larger comps may include more advanced or niche events like FMC and blindfolded solves.
And if you’re dreaming of breaking a world record, it has to happen at an official WCA competition. The current world record for the fastest 3x3 single solve is an astonishing 3.05 seconds, set at a WCA competition in 2025 by Xuanyi Geng. That kind of achievement only counts if it’s done during an official round, under WCA regulations. You can follow the rules at home, but if you want your time to be recognized, it needs to happen at the competition table.
How to Find WCA Competitions Near You
The best place to start is the official WCA website, where you’ll find a full list of upcoming competitions around the world. You can filter by country, state, or even specific events, and if you’re more of a visual person, the 'Map' tab is super helpful for spotting comps near you.
Once you find one that fits your schedule, just click the 'Register' tab on the event page. If registration is still open, you can sign up right there. Simple as that
What to Expect at Your First WCA Competition
Don’t stress, WCA cubing events are beginner-friendly. Everyone was new at some point. Cubers are usually super helpful and happy to explain how things work.
Still, it’s a good idea to check out the WCA Competitor Tutorial PDF. It explains what you’ll do as a competitor, how judging works, and why you might get asked to help out during the day.
Can I Use Any Speed Cube at WCA Competitons?
As long as your cube follows WCA rules, you’re good to go. Most modern speedcubes from top brands like GAN, MoYu, or QiYi are perfectly fine, but keep in mind that smart cubes and other electronic puzzles are not allowed. Just make sure to bring your own puzzle for each event you’ve registered to compete in
If you're not sure what cube to bring, check out our Find the Speed Cube for You -- Take the quiz, this quiz takes into account everything from your skill level to your turning style and spits out the perfect cube match for you. It’s quick, super easy, and can save you a ton of time and second-guessing.
Why Compete?
Besides the thrill of solving under pressure, WCA competitions are a great way to:
- Meet other cubers who share your passion
- Set new personal records
- Learn new techniques just by watching others
- Push yourself in a fun, encouraging environment
Even if you’re not the fastest, showing up and giving it a shot is what speed cubing is all about.
Ready to compete?
Head over to the WCA competition page, pick an event near you, and sign up. Whether it’s your first 3x3 round or your 10th competition, you’ll leave inspired and probably already thinking about your next WCA competition.
