We need to fight back. (Serious)

[OtaMota]

Announced by Oliver Hexter on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT
Dear WCA Community,
We are preparing to say goodbye to the World Cube Association due to a severe financial crisis.
The WCA has seen significant growth in recent years, but funding this expansion has become relatively problematic, as frequently highlighted by our financial team. Despite multiple changes to our budget model, maintaining our global administrative database has left us deeply in debt. Managing thousands of competitions worldwide is no longer sustainable, as rising venue fees, insurance costs, and database server bills have completely drained our remaining financial reserves.
These issues stem from the fundamental differences between managing an expensive global corporate apparatus and just solving cubes for damn fun. Our expenses now heavily outweigh our registration revenue. Shutting down the organization allows us to return to a free, grassroots hobby, completely free from the crushing operational costs of a formal administrative entity.
Official competitions will continue to be funded until December 31, 2027. The final months of 2027 will mark the final events in speedcubing history before we officially file for bankruptcy. This provides a substantial notice period for the pending closure and gives a final send-off to the WCA on our largest stage.

I was not able to find where this could possibly be sent, and I believe this statement to be a hoax.

 

[Thomas.Caleb]

I was not able to find where this could possibly be sent, and I believe this statement to be a hoax.

Its a joke of what could happen if wca gets boycotted

 

[OtaMota]

Its a joke of what could happen if wca gets boycotted

I understand now, thank you for your clarification, however, I still think that you should either preface it with a disclaimer that the announcement is in fact not real, or, you could have changed the date of the announcement to some point in the future so it can be a bit more obvious its a "possible scenario" visualization

 

[-Cube Kid-]

I feel RSF or Cubing China should go global and take over the WCA and become an alternate world body.
If they listen to the community enough, many people will prefer it.

I am very sad about the clock removal decision.

Not cubing China, because... WE AREN'T CHINESE (or Russian)! lol, but good point.

 

[-Cube Kid-]

Announced by Oliver Hexter on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT
Dear WCA Community,
We are preparing to say goodbye to the World Cube Association due to a severe financial crisis.
The WCA has seen significant growth in recent years, but funding this expansion has become relatively problematic, as frequently highlighted by our financial team. Despite multiple changes to our budget model, maintaining our global administrative database has left us deeply in debt. Managing thousands of competitions worldwide is no longer sustainable, as rising venue fees, insurance costs, and database server bills have completely drained our remaining financial reserves.
These issues stem from the fundamental differences between managing an expensive global corporate apparatus and just solving cubes for damn fun. Our expenses now heavily outweigh our registration revenue. Shutting down the organization allows us to return to a free, grassroots hobby, completely free from the crushing operational costs of a formal administrative entity.
Official competitions will continue to be funded until December 31, 2027. The final months of 2027 will mark the final events in speedcubing history before we officially file for bankruptcy. This provides a substantial notice period for the pending closure and gives a final send-off to the WCA on our largest stage.

Is this real?

 

[iguana]

Announced by Oliver Hexter on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT
Dear WCA Community,
We are preparing to say goodbye to the World Cube Association due to a severe financial crisis.
The WCA has seen significant growth in recent years, but funding this expansion has become relatively problematic, as frequently highlighted by our financial team. Despite multiple changes to our budget model, maintaining our global administrative database has left us deeply in debt. Managing thousands of competitions worldwide is no longer sustainable, as rising venue fees, insurance costs, and database server bills have completely drained our remaining financial reserves.
These issues stem from the fundamental differences between managing an expensive global corporate apparatus and just solving cubes for damn fun. Our expenses now heavily outweigh our registration revenue. Shutting down the organization allows us to return to a free, grassroots hobby, completely free from the crushing operational costs of a formal administrative entity.
Official competitions will continue to be funded until December 31, 2027. The final months of 2027 will mark the final events in speedcubing history before we officially file for bankruptcy. This provides a substantial notice period for the pending closure and gives a final send-off to the WCA on our largest stage.

WHAT

 

[Renslay]

Is this real?

No, it's fiction (the poster admitted they intended it as a joke).

 

[iguana]

Announced by Oliver Hexter on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT
Dear WCA Community,
We are preparing to say goodbye to the World Cube Association due to a severe financial crisis.
The WCA has seen significant growth in recent years, but funding this expansion has become relatively problematic, as frequently highlighted by our financial team. Despite multiple changes to our budget model, maintaining our global administrative database has left us deeply in debt. Managing thousands of competitions worldwide is no longer sustainable, as rising venue fees, insurance costs, and database server bills have completely drained our remaining financial reserves.
These issues stem from the fundamental differences between managing an expensive global corporate apparatus and just solving cubes for damn fun. Our expenses now heavily outweigh our registration revenue. Shutting down the organization allows us to return to a free, grassroots hobby, completely free from the crushing operational costs of a formal administrative entity.
Official competitions will continue to be funded until December 31, 2027. The final months of 2027 will mark the final events in speedcubing history before we officially file for bankruptcy. This provides a substantial notice period for the pending closure and gives a final send-off to the WCA on our largest stage.

Please tell me this isn't the way Hex talks 'cause if this is real I might as well quit cubing

 

[That0newe1rdo]

Announced by Oliver Hexter on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT
Dear WCA Community,
We are preparing to say goodbye to the World Cube Association due to a severe financial crisis.
The WCA has seen significant growth in recent years, but funding this expansion has become relatively problematic, as frequently highlighted by our financial team. Despite multiple changes to our budget model, maintaining our global administrative database has left us deeply in debt. Managing thousands of competitions worldwide is no longer sustainable, as rising venue fees, insurance costs, and database server bills have completely drained our remaining financial reserves.
These issues stem from the fundamental differences between managing an expensive global corporate apparatus and just solving cubes for damn fun. Our expenses now heavily outweigh our registration revenue. Shutting down the organization allows us to return to a free, grassroots hobby, completely free from the crushing operational costs of a formal administrative entity.
Official competitions will continue to be funded until December 31, 2027. The final months of 2027 will mark the final events in speedcubing history before we officially file for bankruptcy. This provides a substantial notice period for the pending closure and gives a final send-off to the WCA on our largest stage.

Believable until it said "Announced"

 

[LBr]

Sorry guys, I didn’t actually read the previous announcement, so here are some of my thoughts:

- Community Interests vs logistical challenges: it’s understandable to be frustrated by the removal but I think we all need to reflect on the challenges organisers face in general and how this is added to for clock. Whilst the spectator argument is unimportant in my opinion since the WCA is meant to be a nonprofit, so that part seems to have possibly dodgy motives, the event in general seems to create a problem for judges delegates etc and most of these issues don’t seem to have been fixed by regulatory changes. We shouldn’t ignore this issue we should understand and respect it.

- Alternative opportunities for competitive clock solving: Could it not be possible to form a new board dedicated to clock and other non twisty puzzles? There might be an opportunity here. If the community is as big and dedicated as it makes out why not commit to this and gain recognition from Guinness as the official clock competition organising body?

 

[Thomas.Caleb]

Not cubing China, because... WE AREN'T CHINESE

What about me

 

[iguana]

Sorry guys, I didn’t actually read the previous announcement, so here are some of my thoughts:

- Community Interests vs logistical challenges: it’s understandable to be frustrated by the removal but I think we all need to reflect on the challenges organisers face in general and how this is added to for clock. Whilst the spectator argument is unimportant in my opinion since the WCA is meant to be a nonprofit, so that part seems to have possibly dodgy motives, the event in general seems to create a problem for judges delegates etc and most of these issues don’t seem to have been fixed by regulatory changes. We shouldn’t ignore this issue we should understand and respect it.

- Alternative opportunities for competitive clock solving: Could it not be possible to form a new board dedicated to clock and other non twisty puzzles? There might be an opportunity here. If the community is as big and dedicated as it makes out why not commit to this and gain recognition from Guinness as the official clock competition organising body?

I appreciate that it is difficult to judge, but I still find it difficult to understand what different equipment it actually needs - if you can adjust the pins, I can't imagine many other problems.

 

[Thomas.Caleb]

Believable until it said "Announced"

Chat gpt lol

 

[Josh Balec]

I think that Clock is very interesting as a puzzle and even speedsolving it is unique and interesting, however I believe it doesn't fit with the WCA and it should be removed, instead of trying to get rid of the WCA or make them change their minds the clock community should try making clock its own thing have the World Clock Association or join the World Puzzle Association or something.

 

[Fred]

I think that Clock is very interesting as a puzzle and even speedsolving it is unique and interesting, however I believe it doesn't fit with the WCA and it should be removed, instead of trying to get rid of the WCA or make them change their minds the clock community should try making clock its own thing have the World Clock Association or join the World Puzzle Association or something.

I cannot believe how many people are being taken in by the argument that clock is not a twisty puzzle and doesn't fit with the WCA and should be removed. That might have been a reasonable argument for not including clock in the first place, but clock has cemented it's place in the speedsolving community, especially in the past few years since the Qiyi clock was released and interest skyrocketed. Is it really worth screwing over a significant portion of the speedcubing community just because it doesn't fit your Platonic ideal of a puzzle? 7x7 and 5bld are in danger because they're too similar to other events, but clock is bad because it's too different?!

Another good point I read was that clock is the best puzzle for colorblind solvers.

 

[Josh Balec]

I cannot believe how many people are being taken in by the argument that clock is not a twisty puzzle and doesn't fit with the WCA and should be removed. That might have been a reasonable argument for not including clock in the first place, but clock has cemented it's place in the speedsolving community, especially in the past few years since the Qiyi clock was released and interest skyrocketed. Is it really worth screwing over a significant portion of the speedcubing community just because it doesn't fit your Platonic ideal of a puzzle? 7x7 and 5bld are in danger because they're too similar to other events, but clock is bad because it's too different?!

Another good point I read was that clock is the best puzzle for colorblind solvers.

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean their opinion is wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to voice it, the issue with society these days is people with different political and religious views refuse to simply have a conversation, there is nothing wrong with having different views, there is something wrong with not being able to talk to people with different views without getting upset. I am disapointed in how many people are lashing out at those with different opinions and pretending everyone has the same opinions, if we all had the same opinions and views nobody would be worth talking to. I'm sorry that you are upset about this but it gives you no right to act like everyone who disagrees is stupid.

 

[Martyt7777]

- Alternative opportunities for competitive clock solving: Could it not be possible to form a new board dedicated to clock and other non twisty puzzles? There might be an opportunity here. If the community is as big and dedicated as it makes out why not commit to this and gain recognition from Guinness as the official clock competition organising body?

There has been a recent concept of a new organisation forming, with clock, and also giving speedsliding an official governing body:

Thread 'Bringing Back Clock! (W2PA) [Voting Results Out]'

Jul 6, 2026

So whether you like it or not, here's my idea:

Add more 2D puzzles like clock.

Now I get the fact we waited 12 years for a another puzzle to be added. So my plan is to create a new organization (W2PA: World 2-Dimensional Puzzles Association).

What do you guys think?

• acrystal
• Replies: 216
• Forum: WCA Regulations

• 
• 
• 

 

[Kami]

I'm going to try my best to address this, part by part.

Sorry guys, I didn’t actually read the previous announcement, so here are some of my thoughts:

No comment.

- Community Interests vs logistical challenges:

There are no logistical challenges, all points made by the WCA board members in the announcement posts were made up, and have been called out as bluff.

it’s understandable to be frustrated by the removal but I think we all need to reflect on the challenges organisers face in general and how this is added to for clock.

Uhm, what? Clock has no challenges faced by organizers. The closest thing I've seen to a "challenge" is the differing cube covers which are sometimes used, but different cube covers were made redundant after the January 1st 2024 regulations change.

Whilst the spectator argument is unimportant in my opinion since the WCA is meant to be a nonprofit, so that part seems to have possibly dodgy motives

This is true, no other comment.

, the event in general seems to create a problem for judges delegates etc and most of these issues don’t seem to have been fixed by regulatory changes. We shouldn’t ignore this issue we should understand and respect it.

Which judges and delegates have said this? I've judged clock multiple times and no issues came up.

- Alternative opportunities for competitive clock solving: Could it not be possible to form a new board dedicated to clock and other non twisty puzzles? There might be an opportunity here. If the community is as big and dedicated as it makes out why not commit to this and gain recognition from Guinness as the official clock competition organising body?

We already went over this.

I did realize a problem with rival organizations in general. No matter how good or qualified a rival is, the chances of it catching on are slim to none. Competitions are already rare in many areas, and splitting the already low numbers between seperate organizations would only worsen it, if people switch to it at all.

It seems that you just read the WCA's forum posts and blindly believed them. Please read through this thread thoroughly and then rethink this.

 

[Fred]

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean their opinion is wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to voice it, the issue with society these days is people with different political and religious views refuse to simply have a conversation, there is nothing wrong with having different views, there is something wrong with not being able to talk to people with different views without getting upset. I am disapointed in how many people are lashing out at those with different opinions and pretending everyone has the same opinions, if we all had the same opinions and views nobody would be worth talking to. I'm sorry that you are upset about this but it gives you no right to act like everyone who disagrees is an a**hole.

You want to ruin the competition experience for fans of the 7th most popular event for nonsensical reasons. Yes, you are being a jerk.

 

[Kami]

Speed round

Announced by Oliver Hexter on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT

Not the place for jokes, especially bad jokes. It's not a good joke if the only one laughing is the person who told them.

Not cubing China, because... WE AREN'T CHINESE (or Russian)!

Serious posts only, please

What about me

Ditto

Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean their opinion is wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to voice it, the issue with society these days is people with different political and religious views refuse to simply have a conversation, there is nothing wrong with having different views, there is something wrong with not being able to talk to people with different views without getting upset. I am disapointed in how many people are lashing out at those with different opinions and pretending everyone has the same opinions, if we all had the same opinions and views nobody would be worth talking to. I'm sorry that you are upset about this but it gives you no right to act like everyone who disagrees is an a**hole.

Cool, you ignored Fred's question. Instead of going on a long rant about how sad you are that people don't like your nonsensical and flat out mean opinion, please give actual proven evidence to back your opinion. Oh wait, there isn't any; feel free to prove me wrong, though. : D