Jigsaw puzzling isn't just a solitary bad-weather activity anymore — it's developing into a social sport.
Why it matters: Puzzling's shift from solo to social mirrors a bigger trend following the rise of analog and "grandma" hobbies.
There were 151% more puzzle competitions from Aug. 2024-July 2025, compared to the year prior, a report from Eventbrite shows.
How it works: Teams of two or four gather around tables, each with a mystery puzzle sealed in a bag. After a countdown, they open it and race to finish.
The vibe is similar to bar trivia — and it's "especially great for people that aren't super athletic, but are very competitive, Sarah Schuler, a professional jigsaw puzzler, tells Axios.
