American Crossword Puzzle Tournament

The tournament traditionally begins Friday evening with social games and a wine-and-cheese reception.

[6] The main part of the tournament consists of seven rounds, each featuring a puzzle that all competitors solve.

The competitors in this round wear noise-blocking headphones so that a team of commentators can remark upon the action for the spectators.

The solvers hold a sheet of clues and write their answers on the grid with a dry-erase marker for all to see.

As of 2024, there are six multiple winners: Dan Feyer (9 tournaments), Tyler Hinman (7), Jon Delfin (7), Douglas Hoylman (6), David Rosen (4), and Trip Payne (3).

Three women have won the tournament: Nancy Schuster in 1978, Miriam Raphael in 1979, and Ellen Ripstein in 2001.

The 2006 documentary Wordplay, directed by Patrick Creadon, focuses on Will Shortz and the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

It includes interviews with many of the top competitors and climaxes with the final round of the 2005 tournament.

[20] The MEmoRiaL Award "for lifetime achievement in crossword construction", named in honor of Merl Reagle, has been presented at the tournament since 2016.