2025 was a big, exciting year for the Australian Jigsaw Puzzle Association with more people than ever discovering that puzzling isn’t just a solo pastime, but a vibrant, social and fast-growing sport.
From our Facebook community to bringing puzzles out of the home and into lively, social spaces across the country, we’ve loved helping more people discover just how fun and dynamic puzzling can be. From casual puzzlers to competitive speed puzzlers, AJPA brings people together through a shared love of jigsaws.
Throughout the year, we worked with an expanding range of puzzle brands to introduce new styles and experiences, helping puzzle lovers find something that really excites them. Our online and in-person events have continued to grow too — welcoming more first-timers, creating bigger and better experiences, and giving people plenty of ways to get involved, whether they’re racing the clock, volunteering or just coming along to see what speed puzzling is all about. We’ve also continued to raise the bar in how competitions are run, with high-quality livestreams and event delivery that are increasingly setting the standard around the world.
One of the most exciting things to see has been the energy coming from within the community. Members are independently organising everything from puzzle swaps to in-person and online events and puzzle marathons, while more volunteers are stepping up to help deliver AJPA events across the country. That enthusiasm is shaping a community that’s creative, welcoming and constantly evolving.
The standard of speed puzzling in Australia keeps rising, in line with what’s happening globally, but what really makes our community special is the support and openness. Faster puzzlers are actively sharing tips, techniques and encouragement, helping everyone, no matter their speed, enjoy the challenge and improve.
Australian puzzlers are increasingly visible on the world stage, appearing at international competitions, podcasts and online channels, and it’s clear the global puzzling community is taking notice.
Behind the scenes, AJPA also reached an important milestone in 2025 with its first leadership transition, reflecting the organisation’s growth and stability. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with a stellar committee — a passionate, generous and hardworking team who give their time and energy to make AJPA and its community thrive.
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is on building on this momentum — sustaining the quality of our events while continuing to introduce more Australians to the joy of puzzling. Our calendar is already shaping up to be a busy one, with more exciting brands, fresh formats and new experiences planned that we hope will make for a lot of happy puzzlers and keep everyone on their toes.
I’m proud of what the AJPA community achieved in 2025 and excited about what’s ahead.
Louise Jackett, AJPA President
