Back to School in Arraiolos 2026 – Speedcubing Competition

On September 5, 2026, the Alentejo town of Arraiolos becomes the stage for an unusual event for a small Portuguese town: an official speedcubing competition recognized by the World Cube Association (WCA). Named "Back to School in Arraiolos," the event combines back-to-school nostalgia with the challenge of solving the iconic Rubik's Cube in the shortest possible time.

Organized by the Associação Portuguesa de Speedcubing together with promoter Leonardo Nobre Homan and the Arraiolos Town Council, this thematic competition promises to push limits, spark motivation, and celebrate every achievement throughout the day. Alongside the usual official WCA circuit events, the competition includes two unofficial events created specifically for this edition: "3x3 Team Blind," where teams solve the cube blindfolded through verbal communication alone, and "3x3 Match the Scramble," an observation challenge where competitors must identify the scramble sequence from the cube's final state.

The competition is limited to 50 participants, with mandatory prior registration through the official WCA platform — on-the-spot registrations are not accepted. New competitors must present a valid identification document at check-in. Visitors and curious onlookers who simply want to watch the display of nimble fingers and colorful cubes can do so completely free of charge, while keeping a safety distance of about 1.5 meters from the competition tables.

The event takes place in the common room of Escola EB 2,3/S de Cunha Rivara, located on Rua 5 de Outubro, in the heart of Arraiolos — a town world-renowned for its hand-embroidered wool rugs, a heritage visitors can also explore before or after the competition, particularly at the Centro Interpretativo do Tapete de Arraiolos (CITA), just minutes from the venue.

Arraiolos is about 21 kilometers from Évora and roughly 120 kilometers from Lisbon, making this competition an accessible day-trip destination that combines mental sport, Alentejo culture, and the welcoming atmosphere of a historic Portuguese town. For anyone who has never watched a speedcubing competition before, this is a unique opportunity to see the speed and concentration of top national and international cubers up close, in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

For more information on registration, schedules, and rules, interested parties can contact the organizers at [email protected] or check the official event page on the World Cube Association website.