MONROVIA SET TO HOST LANDMARK AFRICA SCRABBLE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2026

 

Historic Budget, Record Prizes to Transform Continental Tournament

In an unprecedented move for African mind sports, Monrovia has been confirmed as the host city for the 16th Africa Scrabble Championship (ASC) in October 2026, promising the most ambitious and well-funded edition in the competition’s three-decade history.

The Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) and the National Scrabble Association of Liberia (NASAL) are jointly orchestrating what officials are already calling a “watershed moment” for the game. From October 21 to 25, 2026, the continent’s top word masters will converge on the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, turning the iconic venue into a high-stakes arena of strategy and vocabulary.

A Financial Game-Changer

The tournament’s approved budget is the largest ever for an ASC, a commitment that has sent waves of approval through the continent’s Scrabble federations. PANASA insiders describe the Liberian investment as a “structural game-changer,” set to permanently raise standards for player welfare, event organization, and competitive prestige.

“This isn’t just another championship,” a PANASA official stated. “This is a deliberate, bold statement about the value of intellectual sports in Africa. Monrovia 2026 will reset the benchmark.”

 

Prize Money Makes History

The most tangible sign of this new era is a revolutionary prize structure. For the first time, cash awards will extend to the top 20 finishers, a major departure from the previous model that rewarded only a select few.

The financial rewards themselves are record-shattering. The overall champion will secure the richest purse ever offered in African Scrabble, with the top five payouts all reaching historic highs. In a striking gesture, registration fees for qualified players will be frozen at 2022 rates, even as prize money in most categories doubles.

“They’ve removed the barrier to entry while massively raising the reward for excellence,” commented Michael K. Williams, a former national champion from Ghana. “It’s a masterstroke that will boost participation and intensity.”

Beyond cash, the top three finalists will receive distinctive custom-designed trophies, adding a new layer of prestige to podium finishes.

Expanding the African Scrabble Family

Building on reforms initiated in 2024, the championship will continue its “Diaspora Route,” allowing African players living overseas to qualify through their home countries. Each national association can now register a squad of up to 20 players—15 home-based and 5 from the diaspora—promising larger, more globally representative teams and deeper competition.

Eyes on the Calendar

With core planning already in an advanced stage, PANASA is urging national associations to begin their internal qualification processes and disseminate travel and visa information to players. All official team registrations must be handled by association heads or appointed captains via the tournament’s dedicated portal.

Further details are available on the official championship website. Inquiries can be directed to PANASA Technical Director Chrispine Okeyo or NASAL President Lester Morris.

As the continent’s lexical elite begin their two-year countdown, one message is clear: Monrovia 2026 aims not only to crown a champion but to fundamentally redefine the sport’s future in Africa.