Before You Register

All prospective registrants need a WCA account. New competitors can create their own WCA account by clicking here and entering the required information.

How to Register Online

Prospective competitors register by:
1. Signing into their WCA account;
2. Clicking "Register" on the left side of this webpage, selecting the events they would like to compete in, and submitting their registration;
3. Paying the registration fee of $30.00. (The registration fee is the same regardless of how many events are selected.) Your registration is not complete until you have paid the registration fee.

The competitor limit for this competition is 150. The list of approved competitors can be found by clicking "Competitors" on the left side of this webpage. If there are already 150 competitors on that list, it means the competition is full, and any future registrants will be placed on the waitlist.

Competitors MUST register and pay online in order to compete. No at-the-door registrations or payments will be accepted.

Any requested changes to registration prior to the registration deadline will be honored. Your registration is not complete until your name shows up on the list.

How to Pay for Registration Online

Payment is processed through Stripe. Click on the "Register" tab on the left side of the webpage to register and pay all in one place! You can start the payment process by clicking "Pay your fees with card."

Refunds

Approved competitors who cancel their registration before the cancellation deadline are eligible for a refund of 90% of their registration cost. After this date, no refund requests will be honored.

Waitlist Information

We will be keeping a waitlist for this competition. To secure a place on the waitlist once the competitor limit has been reached, simply pay the registration fee. If a competitor emails us to drop out before the cancellation deadline, you will be notified if you are the next competitor on the waitlist. After that deadline, all remaining competitors on the waitlist will be emailed letting them know they did not get off the waitlist and will be fully refunded. You can see where you are on the waitlist by going to the "Register" tab of the competition website here.

For those of you new to cubing, WELCOME!

We wanted to let you know this event is perfectly fine for cubers of any age and experience. We just ask you know a couple things before coming to compete...

First, please be familiar with the WCA Regulations, found here:
https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/regulations/

Of course, those regulations contain a lot of legalese, so we have a video made specifically for new cubers, just to show them the basics of competing. This video will explain most of what any cuber competing for the first time will need to know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPL3eV-A0ww&t=2s

If you have any questions after this video, we will be having a new competitor tutorial, Saturday morning of the competition. That would be the perfect time to ask those questions and clear up any confusion.

If you are stoked to compete and ready to sign up, head over to the registration tab, click register, and fill out the information it asks for. This will help you get set up the WCA's system and one step closer to your first official solve!

Q&A:

Q: Do I use my own cube to compete?

A: YES! You are responsible for your own hardware in order to compete.

Q: What is the normal age of competitors at these events?

A: All ages are welcome, but in general competitors are between 10 and 20 years old. Don't let this stop you though, everyone can and should cube!

Q: What is the competition like?

A; Competitions are a bunch of tables where nerds like us get to sit and discuss our favorite thing, Cubes! Of course in addition there is competing, which will occupy one side of the competition hall, where you will see lots of timers flickering with contestants new personal bests, and possibly a vendor, where you can purchase all you cubing related needs. Most competitions have a break for lunch, and the competing is split up into groups, as to better organize who competes when. (Check the Groups tab and listen at the competition for more info on this.)

Q: How do I find results?

A: All results are posted on the WCA page a couple of days after the competition finishes. However, for the day of competing, go to https://live.worldcubeassociation.org/ to find information about current events. This is also where you will find information about 2nd and 3rd rounds of events.

Q: Why am I not on the registration list yet?

A: Make sure you pay you entrance fee in order to be automatically placed on the registered list, which will also guarantee you a spot in the competition.

Q: Are there age divisions?

A: Age divisions are not officially recognized in the WCA, so all competitors compete in the same group!

Q: Can I have fun at this event?

A: HECK YES! Cubing is amazing, and we sincerely hope you enjoy the competition!

tbd - put venue directions, food options for lunch, hotel info, etc. here

Venue

• MidAmerican RecPlex — 6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Exit 69 Grand Avenue W, just off I-35 South.
  
• Large parking lots north of the venue provide plentiful parking. Parking is FREE!
• Enter any of the north facing doors and the venue (basketball courts) is located to the right of the ice rink under the Hy-Vee Fieldhouse sign, enter the first doors on the right.
• Virtual Tour

Hotels Nearby (Many others in the area)

• Courtyard Des Moines West/Jordan Creek, 410 S 68th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (8 minutes)
• Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines, 5505 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (8 minutes)
• Hilton Garden Inn West Des Moines, 205 S 64th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (9 minutes)
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Des Moines, 240 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (7 minutes)
• Hyatt Place West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, 295 S 64th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (8 minutes)

Things to Do Nearby

• Dave & Buster's
• Jordan Creek Mall
• Spare Time
• Top Golf
• West Glen Town Center
• West Grand Golf - Mini Golf

*Approximate drive times from the venue in parenthesis.

We are looking for volunteers to help at this competition. Volunteer responsibilities will vary, but will include:

• Additional helping assignments for judging and scrambling (beyond normal assignments)
• Assistance with setup and teardown before and after the competition (we will expect volunteers to arrive up to one hour prior to the competition starting)
• Checking in new competitors
• Data Entry
• Other activities as needed

We will determine the exact number of volunteers needed when we have a better idea of the number of competitors. Volunteers will receive a refund of their registration fee after the competition is over (assuming volunteer expectations are met), along with free lunch the day of the competition.

If you are interested in volunteering, please submit an application: Volunteer Application

Outside food is not allowed in MidAmerican RecPlex. Confirming that food purchased at RP Grill is allowed in the venue. There are dining tables outside the venue in the cafeteria/common space.

Lunch Options

• MidAmerican Recplex RP Grill (On site - Chicken Strips, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs)

Fast Food Nearby

• B-Bop’s (Best of Des Moines Burger/Fries), 6135 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (6 minutes)
• Chick-Fil-A, 6555 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (9 minutes)
• Five Guys, 455 S 64th St #300, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (8 minutes)
• Jimmy John’s, 5465 Mills Civic Pkwy #125, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (7 minutes)
• McAlister’s Deli, 455 S 64th St #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (8 minutes)
• McDonald’s, 745 S 51st St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — (8 minutes)
• Raising Cane’s, 5901 Mills Civic Pkwy Unit 7000, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (6 minutes)
• Steak ‘n Shake, 815 S 51st St, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — (9 minutes)
• Tasty Tacos, 6326 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (7 minutes)

Family Dining Nearby

• Applebee’s, 6190 Mills Civic Pkwy W, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (6 minutes)
• Blaze Pizza, 6305 Mills Civic Pkwy Suite 4200, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (6 minutes)
• Buffalo Wild Wings, 6925 S Jordan Creek Pkwy #115, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (7 minutes)
• IHOP, 5045 Bentley Dr Suite 170, West Des Moines, IA 50265 — (7 minutes)
• Red Robin, 6255 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (6 minutes)
• Texas Roadhouse, 6378 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (7 minutes)
• The Breakfast Club (Closes at 2:30 PM), 5525 Mills Civic Pkwy #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266 — (7 minutes)

*Approximate drive times from the venue in parenthesis.

Live results will be available here during the event.

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!