DFW Weeknights 1 2026

Twenty-three competitors gathered under the evening lights at the Oak Point Recreation Center as DFW Weeknights 1 2026 brought intense action to Plano, Texas, USA. Scheduled on February 17, 2026, the midweek gathering delivered five fast-moving rounds across three distinct puzzles. While traditional major championships stretch across long weekends, this targeted meetup captured the true spirit of local community gatherings. Between solving sessions, participants shared technical advice, compared turning styles, and supported each other across every stage of the schedule.

The energy on the floor demonstrated why community-driven tournaments remain vital to the modern cubing competition landscape. Speedcubing enthusiasts who typically spend their week following national 3x3 results found themselves enjoying an intimate setting focused on camaraderie, precision, and quick turnarounds. Rather than getting lost in massive staging areas, participants spent their evening analyzing scrambles together at side tables, testing hardware, and celebrating every improvement. The supportive environment set an encouraging tone for both seasoned veterans and those just starting their official journey.

Podium action remained fiercely competitive throughout the evening, especially during the 2x2x2 Cube rounds. Gavin DeVine captured the top spot in the event with a stellar winning average of 2.52 seconds, narrowly edging out Ryan Pilat, who claimed second place with an average of 2.58 seconds. India representative Samarth Sutar secured the third podium position with a 2.67 average. With twenty solvers taking part across two rounds, the event delivered some of the quickest turnarounds of the night, highlighted by Gavin DeVine recording a sharp 2.31 single.

Pyraminx offered another thrilling contest across two rounds featuring twenty competitors. Ryan Pilat produced a commanding victory by locking in a winning average of 2.44 seconds alongside the fastest single of the discipline at 1.64 seconds. Don Daniels secured the second step on the podium with an average of 3.20 seconds, while Ishan Parikh finished third with a 4.30 average. The puzzle provided plenty of fast-paced excitement, highlighting how varied formats keep a local WCA competition dynamic and engaging for everyone involved.

In the larger mechanical challenge of the night, Ray Bai delivered a masterclass on the 4x4x4 Cube. Facing a field of fourteen competitors in a direct single-round final, Ray Bai recorded the winning average of 23.49 seconds and posted the best single solve at 21.70 seconds. Ryan Pilat capped off a remarkably versatile evening by taking second place with a 26.44 average, earning his third podium finish of the night, while Matthew Bidwell earned third place with an average of 35.96 seconds.

Beyond the trophy battles, the heart of the tournament emerged in the personal milestones achieved across the venue. Benjamin Vallejo entered two events and made an astonishing leap in the 4x4x4 Cube, posting a personal best of 1:02.70 that was 54.8 percent faster than their previous mark of 2:18.77, while also taking seventh place in the 2x2x2 Cube. Jonathan Ji Xiang (項吉) entered two events and achieved a 41.3 percent improvement in Pyraminx with a personal best of 2.22 seconds compared to their previous 3.78 mark, finishing fifth overall. Ishaank Bansal took on three events, improving their 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 11.9 percent to 52.52 seconds and their 2x2x2 Cube best by 7.4 percent to 3.11 seconds.

New milestones and debut attempts highlighted the evening for several other competitors. Shreya Saxena competed in two events, recording a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a 9.73 single and a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with 13.76. Yoonpyo Hong took part in their first WCA competition, recording a first attempt of 16.80 in 2x2x2 Cube and 30.35 in Pyraminx. Jake Berry also made their first official appearance, posting debut marks of 7.67 on 2x2x2 Cube and 20.15 on Pyraminx. Henry Blakeman took on three events and delivered a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a 53.61 single to finish eleventh, while Tinsley Hagerman achieved a personal best of 6.00 in the 2x2x2 Cube, an improvement of 23.1 percent over their previous 7.80 mark.

As the event concluded at the Oak Point Recreation Center, DFW Weeknights 1 2026 proved that local weeknight speed cubing delivers unforgettable memories alongside sharp competitive results. Solvers packed up their Rubik's Cube collections, exchanged well wishes, and reflected on an evening filled with personal triumphs and close podium finishes. With eight podium spots going to the United States and one to India, the tournament highlighted the depth of local talent in Plano and reinforced the strong bonds that keep the speedcubing community thriving heading into the next competitive cycle.