Monrovia 2026 Set to Rewrite African Scrabble History
African Scrabble is bracing for a championship like never before.
With just months to go, preparations for the 16th Africa Scrabble Championship (ASC) have shifted into high gear, following the official confirmation of Monrovia, Liberia as host city.
Since the announcement, the Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) and the National Scrabble Association of Liberia (NASAL) have been locked in intense planning, and the early signs point to a landmark tournament that will reset the standards of the game on the continent.
From October 21–25, 2026, the iconic Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex on Tubman Boulevard will become the epicentre of African Scrabble, welcoming the continent’s sharpest minds for what is already being described as the most ambitious edition in the championship’s 32-year history.
A BUDGET THAT BREAKS THE CEILING
PANASA has confirmed that NASAL’s proposed tournament budget is the largest ever for an Africa Scrabble Championship.
The unprecedented financial commitment has drawn widespread praise across the continent, with African federations hailing Liberia’s bold investment in the growth of the sport.
“This will be a record-breaking championship in every sense,” PANASA officials noted, describing the budget as a game-changer for player welfare, organisation and competitive incentives.
RECORD PRIZE MONEY, DEEPER REWARDS
For the first time in ASC history, the top 20 finishers will all walk away with cash prizes, a significant departure from previous editions where only a handful of players were rewarded.
Even more striking, the top five payouts will be the highest ever recorded in the championship’s three-decade existence, while the eventual champion will earn a record purse, the richest reward ever offered to an African Scrabble winner.
The incentives go beyond cash. The top three players will also receive distinctive, specially designed trophies, adding prestige to podium finishes and further elevating the championship’s profile.
In a major show of goodwill to players, registration fees for quota players have been pegged at 2022 rates, despite prize money increasing by up to 100 percent in most categories, a rare move that underlines the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity and participation.
BIGGER FIELDS, GLOBAL REACH
Building on reforms introduced in 2024, the Diaspora Route will again be available, allowing African players living abroad who cannot attend national qualifiers to compete at the championship through their home associations.
Each country may register up to 15 home-based players, with an additional maximum of five diaspora players, raising the total possible team size to 20 players per nation.
The registration process remains streamlined and official, only Presidents, Chairmen of national associations or designated Team Captains are authorised to register teams on the tournament portal.
EYES ON MONROVIA
With logistics, visas, accommodation and travel arrangements already being fine-tuned, PANASA has urged national associations to actively disseminate tournament details to their players.
Further information is available on the dedicated tournament page, while inquiries can be directed to Chrispine Okeyo (PANASA Technical Director) or Lester Morris, President of NASAL.
As Africa’s best Scrabble minds begin their countdown, one thing is certain and clear, Monrovia 2026 will not just crown a champion, it will redefine the Africa Scrabble Championship and the sport.
