Pencils up!
Canada’s first crossword puzzle tournament is coming to Toronto on June 5, 2027.
ATTN: Cruciverbalists 📣
Here’s the across and lowdown.
The Canadian Crossword Open (CXO) is the nation’s inaugural competitive crossword tournament, taking place in vibrant Toronto, Ontario. Spend a blissful day solving original puzzles created just for us by world‑class constructors, meeting fellow wordplay lovers, and enjoying 100% human‑made entertainment.We aim to provide a fun, thoughtful, and accessible event for crossword fans from all over, including those who haven’t had the chance to attend U.S. tournaments. Participants of any experience level (and non‑Canadians!) are welcome.Follow us to stay in the loop!
Be Part of The Puzzle 🤝
Make your mark on this indie event.
Our mission is to celebrate and connect the crossword community through a shared solving experience, while highlighting some of the best Canada‑based creators. We’re building a joyful new tradition for a diverse group of word puzzle enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.If you’re interested in supporting the Canadian Crossword Open by providing sponsorship, covering our event in the media, or volunteering at CXO27, please get in touch!
Aloha! Ciao! Hola! 👋
Meet your puzzle-makers.
Elliot Caroll
Tournament Director & Editor
Hailing from Toronto, Elliot is an artist, designer, musician, and crossword constructor. She has traversed the country’s creative industries, from having a Song of the Week on CBC Radio, to performing improv at Bad Dog Theatre, to appearing in an Olympics commercial with Team Canada. She founded the Canadian Crossword Open for puzzle lovers like you.
Emma Lawson
Constructor & Editor
Based in Vancouver, Emma is a librarian by day, crossword constructor by night (and weekend). She is the crossword editor for The Walrus and has been published in USA Today, LA Times, and elsewhere. When not working on puzzles, she can be found knitting too many socks, gently pulling loose fur off her rabbit Thumper, and watching horror movies one franchise at a time.
Will Nediger
Constructor
Will is a crossword constructor from London, Ontario. He’s a proud Canadian, even though the years he lived in the U.S. rubbed off on him and now he calls it “zee” instead of “zed” because it rhymes with the rest of the alphabet song.
Ada Nicolle
Constructor
Ada is a crossword writer and comedian originally from Guelph, Ontario. Her work has been published in The Globe and Mail and The Walrus, and she is the author of “A-to-Gen Z Crosswords: 72 Puzzles That Hit Different”. Also a rising talent in the Toronto comedy scene, she went viral in March 2026 for a song about bags of ice.
Jess Shulman
Constructor
After years in the corporate world and nearly a decade as a freelance editor, Jess started in early 2026 as puzzles and games editor for The Globe and Mail (she can hardly believe her luck). She also constructs both standard crosswords and cryptics for other venues, and edits for AVCX. She lives in Toronto with her husband and dog in their newly empty nest.
Nam Jin Yoon
Constructor
Nam Jin is a librarian who is happy to be back in his hometown of Toronto. Upon his return to Canada last year, he was dismayed to discover that the TTC had one fewer subway line than when he left. He is now an East Ender with an unhealthy interest in signal priority. He has published themeless crosswords at the New York Times and a meta crossword at Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest.
Sharpen Those Wits ✏️
We’re filling things in!
Check back for tournament format, schedule, and more details.
Bring Your A-Grid ✍️
Calling Canada’s constructors!
Want to show off your crossword-making chops? We’ve reserved an open call slot at CXO27 to showcase one great puzzle created by an eligible constructor of any background or experience level.See below for all puzzle guidelines and instructions. Submissions will be accepted until December 15, 2026.
From “Eh?” to YYZ 🦝
Toronto, solved.
Stay tuned for travel information and local recommendations. Making a trip out of your CXO experience? We’ll share plenty of pro tips on enjoying any extra time in town.
Need a clue? 🤔
FAQ + Policies
Who can participate?
Anyone who enjoys crossword puzzles! You don’t need to be a speed solver (or Canadian). We do recommend some practice solving crosswords on paper beforehand if you’re not used to doing so. All participants are expected to follow our Code of Conduct.
How do I sign up?
Details will be announced before registration opens. You will be able to register to compete as an individual or in a pair.
How can I get involved?
If you’d like to volunteer at CXO27, or if your business or organization is interested in supporting the event, please send us a message here.
Can I make a puzzle for the event?
We invite eligible constructors to submit a puzzle to our open call! You are also welcome to bring copies of puzzles you’ve created to share with all attendees on the free puzzle table.
What should I bring to the tournament?
Your preferred pencils and erasers, including spares. You may also wish to bring a folder or clipboard, quiet snacks, and a water bottle.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes! Our venue is fully ACA-ADA accessible, including a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator, seating, restroom, car park, and outdoor garden for breaks.
Can I participate from home?
While there will not be an online tournament, all of the puzzles from the event will be available to purchase as a digital pack for you to enjoy wherever you are.
It’s Hip To Be Square 🔲
Want to play?
Registration will open in December 2026.If you’re thinking about attending, please note your interest using the form below. We’ll give you a heads‑up before tournament registration goes live.
Solvers, take note 📋
CXO Code of Conduct
We are committed to making the Canadian Crossword Open a fun, safe, and welcoming event for all. Attendees are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct, adapted with thanks from our friends at fellow tournaments.
Be kind. Whether you’re an tournament pro or a rookie, do your best to make the CXO a comfortable environment for everyone. We want you to leave with new friends and good memories!
Play fair. Have fun and engage in friendly competition with honesty and respect. Deliberate cheating, tampering, disruptive behaviour, or other actions that compromise the event are not permitted.
Be respectful of the space and equipment. Please clean up after yourself and leave everything as you found it. You may bring light snacks and water into the tournament area, but attendees are expected to leave the building for lunch. Do not bring drugs or alcohol onto the premises.
Harassment will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to: physical, verbal, or psychological abuse; threats, intimidation, and bullying; discriminatory remarks of any kind; and unwelcome sexual attention or inappropriate physical contact.
If you see or experience a violation of this Code, please notify an event official.
If you violate this Code, we reserve the right to ask you to leave the event without a refund.