NAC 2026 in Raleigh: key qualification dates and 1200-competitor cap

Rubik’s WCA North American Championship 2026 (NAC 2026) is set for July 2–5, 2026 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it will double as both the US National Championship and the North American Championship. It also comes with two details that matter for anyone thinking about attending: a 1200-competitor limit, and qualifying requirements in every event. (worldcubeassociation.org)

As of publication on May 23, 2026, the WCA’s qualifying-time deadline has already passed (May 19, 2026). That means competitors who already have the needed official times have until May 29, 2026 to register or adjust events, but new results after May 19 no longer count for NAC 2026 qualification. (cubingusa.org)

The essentials: where, when, and what it is

On the WCA competition page, NAC 2026 is listed as a four-day championship in Raleigh (Hall B at the Raleigh Convention Center). The information section confirms that it serves as both the US National Championship and the North American Championship. (worldcubeassociation.org)

CubingUSA’s event page adds context: it calls NAC 2026 the WCA’s third North American Championship and the nineteenth US National Championship, and frames it as a major annual meet that brings in hundreds of top US speedcubers alongside competitors from the rest of North America and beyond. (cubingusa.org)

Key dates to know (including what’s already locked in)

The two deadlines that shape who can do what between now and July are:

May 19, 2026: Deadline for qualifying times. The WCA page states that qualification times must be set on or before this date, and CubingUSA lists the same day as the “deadline for qualifying times.” (worldcubeassociation.org, cubingusa.org)
May 29, 2026: Last day to modify registration, per CubingUSA’s key-date list. This is the final chance to adjust which events you’re registered for on the WCA registration page. (cubingusa.org)

That timing creates a practical split:

If you already had the qualifying times by May 19, your focus is now on finishing registration and choosing which events to enter by May 29.
If you didn’t have the qualifying times by May 19, NAC 2026 is effectively out for those events, because new results after that date won’t count for qualification. (cubingusa.org)

All 17 WCA events are on the schedule—but entry isn’t equally open

CubingUSA’s qualifying page says all seventeen WCA events will be held at NAC 2026. But unlike many smaller competitions where “sign up for what you want” is the default, NAC 2026 uses a mix of broad access in a few events and tighter standards in others to keep the championship schedule realistic. (cubingusa.org)

The six “open” events

CubingUSA describes six events as “open,” meaning the qualification standard is any official WCA result (if you have successfully solved the event at a WCA competition, you’re eligible). Those events are: (cubingusa.org)

3×3×3 Cube
2×2×2 Cube
4×4×4 Cube
3×3×3 One-Handed
Pyraminx
Skewb

In practice, that makes these the most accessible entry points for newer competitors who have at least one official competition under their belt. It also aligns with how many competitors think about a “major”: you can come for the big atmosphere and still participate in a meaningful set of events without needing elite times across the board.

The stricter standards (and why they’re there)

For every other event, CubingUSA lists tougher cutoffs. A few examples of what’s required include 5×5 < 1:08.00, 6×6 < 2:00.00, Clock < 6.00, and Square-1 < 11.50 (all exclusive—your time must be better than the listed value). (cubingusa.org)

The page is explicit about the reasoning: the qualification times are “much harder than previous US National Championships,” and the intent is to leave room for semifinals and finals while still letting most competitors do “a few events throughout the competition.” (cubingusa.org)

That matters because it signals a particular style of championship:

Broad participation in core events.
A tighter, more performance-filtered field in longer events where schedule pressure is highest.

“Top N” qualification: Fewest Moves and Multi-Blind

Two events use a different kind of qualification that isn’t just “beat this time.” For 3×3 Fewest Moves, CubingUSA lists a Top 30 standard; for 3×3 Multi-Blind, it lists Top 20 (single). (cubingusa.org)

CubingUSA also notes an enforcement detail competitors should not miss: after the May 29 registration-change deadline, they plan to remove anyone from those events who did not qualify under the “Top N” standard (with tie-breaking described on the page). That’s a different feel than time-based qualification because your eligibility depends on how you rank against the rest of the field, not just your personal benchmark. (cubingusa.org)

Logistics snapshot: cap, costs, and spectators

On the WCA listing, NAC 2026 shows a competitor limit of 1200 and a base registration fee of $150. The WCA page also emphasizes a spectator-ticket policy: “all spectators must have a spectator ticket,” competitors receive one free spectator ticket with registration, and additional tickets are sold through a third-party ticketing site. (worldcubeassociation.org)

CubingUSA repeats the same headline numbers (1200 competitor cap, $150 competitor registration) and provides a simple timeline: early registration in early January, standard registration from late January through May 29, and the competition itself in early July. (cubingusa.org)

What this means before the May 29 registration deadline

For competitors already registered or eligible to register, the final registration window is mostly about event selection and double-checking eligibility:

Use the CubingUSA qualifying list to confirm which events you’re actually qualified for, especially the “exclusive” time standards and the Top N events. (cubingusa.org)
Treat May 29, 2026 as your hard deadline for changes, since it’s the last day CubingUSA lists for modifying registration. (cubingusa.org)
If you were hoping to add an event by attending a competition after May 19, the WCA page makes it clear those new times won’t be usable for NAC 2026 qualification. (worldcubeassociation.org)

For spectators and families, the main takeaway is that this is designed to be a large, ticketed championship environment—not a typical “walk in and watch” local. Plan tickets early if you want to attend in person. (worldcubeassociation.org)

Key takeaways

NAC 2026 runs July 2–5, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and serves as both US Nationals and the North American Championship. (worldcubeassociation.org)
The qualifying-time deadline was May 19, 2026, and registration changes run through May 29, 2026. (cubingusa.org, cubingusa.org)
Six events are “open” to anyone with an official WCA result in that event; the other events have stricter standards, including Top N qualification for Fewest Moves and Multi-Blind. (cubingusa.org)