World's First Solitaire Championship Brings Together Diverse Players

Papaya Gaming's inaugural World Solitaire Championship in Miami offers $300,000 in prizes and a chance to elevate a solitary pastime into a shared experience.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The first-ever World Solitaire Championship, hosted by Papaya Gaming, is set to take place in Miami, Florida from February 20-22, 2026. The competition will bring together the best solitaire players from around the world to compete for a $150,000 grand prize. Participants include a stay-at-home mom from Utah, a licensed practical nurse from Virginia, and a film student from Utah who reconnected with the game from his childhood.

Why it matters

Solitaire is typically seen as a solitary pastime, but this championship aims to transform it into a shared, competitive experience that celebrates the community and skill behind the timeless card game. The event represents the power of play to bring people together and elevate a personal hobby into something larger.

The details

The World Solitaire Championship will feature hundreds of players competing in-person in Miami for the grand prize of $150,000. The overall prize pool is $300,000. Participants qualified for the event through the Solitaire Cash app. The championship represents an opportunity for players to step out of their daily routines and compete in a live, high-stakes setting.

  • The World Solitaire Championship will take place from February 20-22, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

The players

Rebecca Harig

A 42-year-old stay-at-home mom from Salt Lake City, Utah who is heading to the championship to test her solitaire skills against top competitors in a live setting.

Angela Lemke

A 43-year-old licensed practical nurse from Gloucester, Virginia who is stepping into a competitive arena that's entirely her own, separate from her daily caretaking responsibilities.

Tagaloa Tapusoa

A 29-year-old film student at Utah Tech who qualified for the championship via the Solitaire Cash app after reconnecting with the game, which he used to play with his mother as a child.

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What they’re saying

“For me, it's something that's just mine. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment.”

— Rebecca Harig (screenrant.com)

“This championship represents community play in its truest form, where one person's win can support many more.”

— Angela Lemke, licensed practical nurse (screenrant.com)

“The championship represents [my] growth. I'm taking something familiar, and I'm elevating it into something bigger.”

— Tagaloa Tapusoa, film student (screenrant.com)

What’s next

The World Solitaire Championship will take place in Miami, Florida from February 20-22, 2026.

The takeaway

The World Solitaire Championship represents the power of play to bring people together and transform a solitary pastime into a shared, competitive experience that celebrates skill, community, and personal growth.