1. Participation Conditions
1.1 Participants may compete in the individual, pairs, and four-person team categories.
1.2 The minimum age to participate in the championship is 10.
1.3 Participants between the ages of 10 and 17 may compete only with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
1.4 The championship is open to participants from European countries. Participants from outside
Europe may compete, but they will not be included in the European ranking and will be classified as
guest competitors.
1.5 Each participant may register and compete under only one country.
1.6 A participant may not represent different countries in different categories. For example, a
German citizen living in Spain who competes in the individual category for Germany may not
compete in the pairs or team categories representing Spain.
1.7 Participants must be present at the championship venue at least 30 minutes before the championship begins.
2. Championship Categories and Time Limits
2.1 The championship is organized in three categories: individual, pairs, and four-person teams.
2.2 In the individual category, participants compete with a 500-piece puzzle, and the time limit is 1 hour 30 minutes.
2.3 In the pairs category, two participants solve a 500-piece puzzle together, and the time limit is 1
hour.
2.4 In the four-person team category, four participants solve a 1000-piece puzzle together, and the
time limit is 1 hour 30 minutes.
2.5 A participant may compete in all categories: individual, pairs, and team.
2.2.6 All participants within the same category receive puzzles with the same number of pieces.
2.7 Puzzle images used in the same category may differ, but the number of pieces will be
equivalent.
3. Qualification and Final Format
3.1 In the individual category, the top 10 competitors from the qualification round advance to the
final.
3.2 In the pairs category, the top 10 teams from the qualification round advance to the final.
3.3 In the four-person team category, there is no qualification round. Rankings are determined based
on the results achieved during the championship, and the top three teams are awarded.
4. Puzzle Distribution
4.1 The transparent wrapping on the puzzle boxes used in the championship is removed by the
organization in advance, and the puzzle boxes are placed upside down on the tables before the
championship begins.
4.2 After the referee gives the start signal, participants turn the puzzle box over and open the puzzlebag inside the box.
4.3 Any participant who turns the puzzle box over or opens the box before the start signal will be
disqualified.
4.4 After opening the puzzle bag, the pieces are emptied onto the table and participants may sort
them as they wish.
4.5 If some puzzle pieces are already connected inside the bag, they may be used without separatingthem.
5. Championship Start
5.1 The championship begins when the Head Referee gives the start signal.
5.2 The championship time runs continuously for the duration defined for each category.
6. Puzzle Completion and Referee Check
6.1 When a participant believes the puzzle is completed, they must raise their hand to call a referee.
6.2 The referee checks the puzzle, and if it has been correctly completed, the participant’s officialtime is recorded.
6.3 If incorrectly placed pieces are found, the participant may correct them while the time continues
to run.
7. Championship Rules
7.1 Participants may not receive external assistance during the championship.
7.2 Puzzle pieces may not be shared with other participants.
7.3 Puzzle pieces may not be taken from or given to another table.
8. Sorting Tray Usage
8.1 Participants may use sorting trays or similar tools to organize puzzle pieces.
8.2 Sorting trays or similar tools must remain within the participant’s designated table area.
8.3 Sorting trays or puzzle pieces may not be moved into another participant’s table area.
9. Missing Piece Notification
9.1 If a participant believes a puzzle piece is missing, they must raise their hand and call a referee.
9.2 The referee will come to the participant’s table and check whether the missing piece is on the
table, on the floor, or nearby.
9.3 9.3 Missing piece notifications must be made within the last 5 minutes of the championship.
9.4 After the inspection, the referee confirms the situation and the championship proceeds
accordingly.
10. End of Time
10.1 When the championship time expires, the referee announces the end of the round and
participants must stop touching the puzzle.
10.2 No further actions on the puzzle are allowed after the time has expired.
10.3 For unfinished puzzles, the ranking may be determined based on the number of correctly
placed pieces.
10.4 If 3 puzzle pieces are found already connected inside the puzzle, they shall be considered
completed. If 2 pieces are found already connected, they shall not be considered completed.
11. Incorrect Puzzle Package
11.1 If a participant believes they have received the wrong puzzle package, they must raise their
hand and call a referee.
11.2 The referee will check the participant’s puzzle package and conduct the necessary inspection.
11.3 If it is confirmed that the participant received the wrong puzzle package, the correct puzzle
package will be provided.
11.4 In such cases, the Head Referee may grant a time adjustment if deemed necessary.
12. Referee Structure and Authority
12.1 The Head Referee is responsible for ensuring that the championship is conducted in a fair and
orderly manner.
12.2 The Head Referee has the authority to start or stop the championship and enforce the championship rules.
12.3 Floor referees supervise the championship area and respond to participants’ calls.
12.4 When a puzzle is completed, the referee checks whether it has been correctly assembled.
12.5 Decisions made by the referees are final.
13. Companions and Guests
13.1 Companions, supporters, and all guests accompanying participants are subject to the rules
stated in this regulation.
13.2 All companions, supporters, and guests who wish to enter the championship area must register
through the registration system designated by the organization.
13.3 As the championship venue is a restricted event area and the event is organized in cooperation
with Yeşilay, security regulations apply. Therefore, only registered individuals may enter the event
area.
13.4 Companions, supporters, or guests who have not completed registration will not be allowed to
enter the championship area.
13.5 A QR-coded entry pass will be issued by the organization for everyone entering the event area,
including participants, companions, supporters, and guests.
13.6 Entry to the event area will only be permitted by scanning this QR-coded entry pass at the
entrance point.
14. Yeşilay Rule
14.1 This championship is organized in cooperation with Yeşilay (Green Crescent).
14.2 Yeşilay is an international non-governmental organization that promotes healthy living and
combats alcohol, tobacco, and other addictions.
14.3 Within the championship area, including outdoor spaces and gardens, the use of alcohol, tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and similar addictive substances is strictly prohibited.
14.4 Participants who violate this rule will be disqualified from the championship.
14.5 Companions, supporters, and all guests accompanying participants are subject to the rules
stated in this regulation.
15. Disqualification
15.1 Any participant who turns the puzzle box over or opens the box before the start signal will be
disqualified.
15.2 Taking puzzle pieces from another table or giving puzzle pieces to another participant is
grounds for disqualification.
15.3 Receiving external assistance during the championship is grounds for disqualification.
15.4 Failure to follow referee instructions is grounds for disqualification.
15.5 Any behavior that disrupts the championship is grounds for disqualification.
15.6 Participants who violate the Yeşilay rule will be disqualified from the championship.
16. Protest Procedure
16.1 Participants have the right to file a protest regarding championship results or referee decisions.
16.2 Protests must be submitted within 10 minutes after the results are announced.
16.3 Protests must be submitted in writing to the championship desk.
16.4 Protests are evaluated by the Head Referee.
16.5 The decision made by the Head Referee is final.
117. General Provisions
17.1 All participants are deemed to have accepted the rules stated in this regulation.
17.2 The organizing committee reserves the right to modify the rules if necessary for the safety and
proper conduct of the championship.
17.3 The championship schedule may be changed or postponed due to force majeure circumstances.
18. Language
18.1 The official languages of the championship are Turkish and English.
18.2 In case of any discrepancy in interpretation, the English version shall prevail.
18.3 The organization will also provide voluntary translation support in at least two additional
languages.
19. Country Representation
19.1 Each participant may compete under only one country.
19.2 A participant may not represent different countries in different categories. For example, a
participant competing for Germany in the individual category may not compete for Spain in the
pairs or team categories.
20. Mixed Country Teams
20.1 Participants from different countries may form mixed teams in the pairs and team categories.
20.2 Mixed team results are officially recorded and published. They will be visible as “MixedTeams” in the results list. Since they do not represent a single country, they are not included in the country-based ranking or podium.
21. Mixed Team Formation
21.1 If there are not enough participants from the same country, the organization may allow the
formation of mixed teams.
21.2 Mixed teams may consist of participants from up to four different countries.
22. Country Ranking
22.1 A country ranking may be created to reflect the performance of countries in the championship.
22.2 The country ranking may be calculated based on results from the individual, pairs, and team
categories.
23. Awards
The following awards are presented at the end of the championship:
• Best Individual Player
• Best Pair Team
• Best Four-Person Team
• Best Country
• Youngest Participant
• Oldest Participant
24. Registration Schedule
• November 27–29, 2026 – European Jigsaw Puzzle Championship 2026, Istanbul
• March 25, 2026 – Championship registrations open
• November 15, 2026 – Final deadline for registrations and changes
24. Registration Fees
24.1 The registration fee for the individual category is 40 €.
24.2 The registration fee for the pairs category is 50 € per team.
24.3 The registration fee for the four-person team category is 100 € per team.
25. Registration Package
25.1 Participants receive the puzzle used in the championship and may keep it as a souvenir after the event. Each participant will receive one puzzle from the category they competed in. In the individual category, each competitor receives one puzzle; in the pairs category, each participant receives one puzzle (two in total); and in the teams of four category, each participant receives one puzzle (four in total).
25.2 All participants will receive an official participation certificate.
26. Participant Responsibilities
26.1 Participants must comply with championship rules and referee instructions.
26.2 Participants must avoid behavior that interferes with other competitors.
26.3 All safety and organizational rules within the championship area must be followed.