Venue/Parking

Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Convention Center - Redbird Ballroom
209 Broadway, Normal, IL 61706

On-site parking at the Marriott costs $14 per day.
Other parking options are available in Normal and can be viewed on the city website

Lodging

We have a room block set up at the Marriott with a rate of $159. A link to book will be available on this tab closer to the competition.

Travel

Air
The closest airport to Normal is the Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI), which offers various nonstop and connecting flights to airports like Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Orlando, and more.

For most other flights, Chicago's O'Hare Airport (ORD) has considerably more options for connections and transportation, so we recommend checking flights to there too.

Bus
Peoria Charter offers bus service from several locations in the Chicago area (including O'Hare Airport) to Normal (Uptown Station).

Train
Normal is connected by Amtrak service to Chicago and St. Louis. Trains run from Chicago Union Station to Normal (BNL) six times daily.

Food

There are several restaurants on Beaufort St and Main St within walking distance of the venue for lunches.

Who can compete?
This competition is open to competitors of any age and skill level! Note that some events have cutoffs, time limits, and/or qualification requirements - see the Events tab for more information.

How do I sign up?
Visit the Register tab and follow the instructions.

Do spectators have to pay to attend?
Nope! Spectators may attend free of charge.

This is my first competition. What do I need to know?
All newcomers must be familiar with the WCA Regulations before competing. This video gives a fun overview of the rules.

In addition, please read this document before coming to the competition.

When do I need to show up?
For first-timers, plan to be there by 7:45am on Saturday so you can attend the New Competitors Tutorial. For all others, look at the Schedule tab. You must be present and ready to compete during all events that you are registered for. The schedule is subject to change. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before the start of your first event.

Do I need to attend days I'm not competing on?
No. For example, if you are not competing in any events on Friday, you do not have to attend on Friday.

Where can I see the results for the competition?
During the competition, results will be posted on WCA Live.

How do I modify the events I am signed up for?
If the change events deadline has not already passed, you can visit the Register tab to modify your registration.

I can no longer attend, how do I delete my registration?
Via the Register tab. If you delete your registration and the refund deadline has not already passed, you will receive a 50% refund within a few days.

This competition is sponsored by TheCubicle! They will be providing prizes to our podium finishers and regional champions.

Prizes for this competition are as follows:

3x3 Gold: $70
3x3 Silver: $50
3x3 Bronze: $30
3x3 Great Lakes Champion: $70

Other events Gold: $20
Other events Silver: $14
Other events Bronze: $10
Other events Great Lakes Champion: $20

3x3 State Champion (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WI): $10
States Relay Champion: $10

This is the sixth annual CubingUSA Great Lakes Championship, part of a series of regional championships supported by CubingUSA. The goal of these competitions is to allow competitors from all over the country to compete for regional titles. The Great Lakes region is comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

While only residents of the Great Lakes states are eligible to win the title of Great Lakes Champion, residents of any state or country are welcome to compete.

Find out more about CubingUSA and Regional Championships

We ask that competitors expecting to have a chance at a Great Lakes Champion title bring proof of residence (current driver's license or school ID, etc.)

More information regarding eligibility can be found here.

CubingUSA Great Lakes Championship 2025 will hold an unofficial event known as States Relay on Saturday night. This event, based on the Rubik’s Nations Cup from Worlds 2017, features teams of three competitors from the same state or region in a 3 cube relay knockout tournament.
In previous years, this event has featured 16 teams in a single elimination bracket. However, this year there will be only 8 teams, each with three cubers solving 3x3 head-to-head, in a single-elimination best-of-3 bracket. Watch the 2019 Rubik's Nations Cup here: Video

Register Here: (Check back on July 12th)

Registration Rules

• Registration will not open for the States Relay until July 12th, 2025, the day after the refund deadline has passed.
• On that day until July 30th, 2025, competitors may register to compete in the States Relay at the link above. Anyone is allowed to sign up from any state, but only the top 3 competitors from each state who signed up and are present on Saturday, August 2nd will be eligible to compete.
  • (Competitor Speed will be based off of their official 3x3 average as of July 30th, 2025)
• Each Great Lakes state (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin) is guaranteed at least one team. The remaining two spots will be reserved for the Wildcard teams, which will be formed with other competitors from regions outside of the Great Lakes states.
  • If there are not enough people from a single state or country to form a team, competitors from separate regions will be grouped together.
• On July 31st, teams rosters will be emailed to competitors who filled out the states relay form. These teams will be made up of the 3 fastest competitors from each state, along with 2 backup competitors. If any of the main 3 competitors is no longer able to attend the relay or competition, the next backup competitors will take their place.
• On August 1st/2nd, team competitors (and backups) from each team must confirm their attendance with the States Relay coordinator to ensure each team has enough people for the tournament. Team members may check in as a group or individually, and backups should check-in in case of an opening. Please check in before noon on Saturday.

Rules for States Relay Competitors

• Follow all previous Registration Rules listed above
• Competitors/Full Teams must be present for the states relay at least 10 minutes prior to the first match to allow for debriefing and questions. If a team has no-shows and there are no backup competitors present to fill vacant spots, they will be disqualified and the opposing team will receive a bye.
• Teams should remain at the competition area for the remainder of their participation of the event. Eliminated competitors/teams may leave or join the audience after their matches have ended.
  • Teams will be able to practice/warm-up during other matches, but must stay in the competition area

Regulations

• The competition format is a simple 8-team seeded best-of-3 knockout tournament.
• Each competitor will solve a single 3x3 cube, one after another. The winner of each set is determined by the fastest total time. In case of a tie, the winning team is determined by the fastest single. First to win two sets wins the matchup and proceeds to the next round.
• All competitors must supply their own puzzle
• Standard WCA penalties (e.g. misalignment, timer stops/starts) apply for the solves.
• The competitors will lift their cube covers simultaneously and begin inspection, with the standard 8 and 12 calls being made. Once the 12 second call is made, the competitors must place the cube on the mat and put their hands on their timer, then the judge will begin a countdown. The first timer must be started once the judge says "Go!" The second and third timers must be started only when the previous member has finished their solve and has put back the 2 hands on the timers. Penalty: disqualification of the attempt (DNF).
• The second and third team members may continue inspecting while their teammate(s) are solving the cube, but must do so with their hands remaining on the timer.
• After the set, competitors will return their cubes to the scrambling table to be rescrambled. The process will repeat until a team has won 2 sets and advances to the next round.
• This is an unofficial team event, no results will be stored in the WCA database.

We are recruiting a team of dedicated volunteers to help with running, scrambling, and data entry for this competition. Applications are available here. Volunteer applications will be open until June 23rd, 2025 11:59 pm CDT.

Volunteers will be assigned helping assignments for the majority of groups they are not competing in. Applicants must have previous volunteering experience in order to be considered.

Expectations of Volunteer Team Members
- Proactively complete all assigned helping assignments throughout the weekend
- Follow the directions of a stage lead, and be available for any additional duties that may be needed
- Act professionally - your actions as a staff member reflect on the competition and Midwest Cubing Association

Benefits
- Free staff shirt, requried to be visible while completing staffing duties
- Lunch provided on Saturday and Sunday
- Refunded registration fee after the competition, contigent upon appropriate completion of staffing duties

More information on CubingUSA Great Lakes Championship 2025 merchandise will be available once registration opens.

Want to stay connected with the Midwest Cubing community? Join the Midwest Cubing Community Discord Server! Speak with other competitors from around the midwest, keep in touch with fellow competitors, and meet new ones! Find out about competition discussion as it happens in real time, and even announcements for competitions before registration opens!

Click here to be taken directly to the Discord Server!