Nigel Richards

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Nigel Richards stands as the undisputed king of Scrabble, holding a record number of world titles that no other player has ever matched. His five World Championship victories span two decades, showcasing a longevity and consistency that is rare in any sport. Winning world titles in three different languages without fluency in any of them is a feat that has never been replicated, making his legacy truly unique in the history of competitive word games.

AwardsRichards holds an unparalleled collection of accolades within the Scrabble community. He has won five World Scrabble Championships, five U.S. National Championships, ten UK Open Championships, and twelve Singapore Open Scrabble Championships. He has also won the King's Cup in Bangkok fifteen times. His victories in the French and Spanish World Scrabble Championships further distinguish his career as a global phenomenon.

Honours & Distinctions

World Scrabble Champion

World English-Language Scrabble Players' Association·2019

Five-time World Champion

French World Champion

Fédération Internationale de Scrabble Francophone·2018

Won without speaking French

Spanish World Champion

Federación Internacional de Scrabble en Español·2024

Won without speaking Spanish

Rankings & Lists

Top Scrabble Player of All Time

ESPN·2026

Greatest Scrabble Player

The Wall Street Journal·2026

Magazine Covers

The Wall Street Journal

2015

The Man Who Memorized French

ESPN

2024

The Scrabble Legend

Records & Feats

Most World Scrabble Titles

Career Milestone·2019

Won five World Scrabble Championships (2007, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019)

First to Win Three Language Titles Without Fluency

Historic First·2024

Won world titles in English, French, and Spanish without speaking the latter two languages fluently

Most King's Cup Wins

Tournament Record·2023

Won the King's Cup in Bangkok fifteen times