Venue/Parking

Grand Wayne Convention Center - Convention Hall A
120 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

There are three parking garages near the venue, with the Civic Center Parking Garage connected by skybridge to the venue. Parking meters in Fort Wayne are also free after 5:00pm and on weekends. More information about parking can be found on the Grand Wayne website.

Hotel

The Grand Wayne is connected to the Hilton Fort Wayne. We do not have a room block set up with any hotel yet but will by early 2026.

Travel

Air
Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) is located about 15 minutes from the venue and has direct flights to some of the larger hubs in the US.

Fort Wayne is about 2 hours from both Detroit Wayne International Airport (DTW) and Indianapolis International Airport (IND), which offer significantly more nonstop destinations.

Bus
Greyhound runs regular bus services to Fort Wayne from nearby cities such as Columbus and Chicago.

Food

There are several restaurants within walking distance of the venue for lunch or dinner.

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 8:00am on Saturday so you can attend the New Competitors Tutorial at 8:15. 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 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 bracket. Watch the 2019 Rubik's Nations Cup here: Video

Register Here: [States Relay Registration]

Registration will open on May 15th, 2026

Registration Rules

• Registration will not open for the States Relay until May 15th, 2026, the day after the refund deadline has passed.
• On that day until June 3rd, 2026, 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 June 3rd, 2026)
• 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 additional teams from the Great Lakes states or 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 June 4th, 2026, 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 June 5th/6th, 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 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.
• 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.
• This is an unofficial team event, no results will be stored in the WCA database.

This year, Great Lakes will host several unofficial events for competitors to compete in on Friday and Saturday after all other events have concluded.
The results will be recorded through Cubing Contests, and will then be added to the rankings.

[Live Results]

(to be released)

[Event Details]

(to be released)

Rules

We will be recruiting talented staff members to help make this competition a success! You all will play an integral role in this competition running smoothly and on time.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

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 volunteer team member reflect on the competition and Midwest Cubing Association

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

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!