2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals: What to know
The 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals are set for Thursday night as nearly 250 students from across the country compete for the national title.
This year's competition marks the bee’s return to Washington, D.C., for the first time in 15 years.
Here is what to know about this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The bee is back in Washington
The annual competition is being held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., bringing the event back to the nation's capital after years in National Harbor, Maryland.
The move allows competitors and their families to experience Washington's landmarks and museums as they take part in the competition, according to Corrie Loeffler, executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
"For generations, the Scripps National Spelling Bee was part of the fabric of downtown Washington, D.C., and we are proud to be bringing it back," Loeffler said in a statement earlier this month. "Our 247 spellers – from first-time competitors to returning finalists – will be surrounded by monuments, museums and places of learning that embody the spirit of the competition. It's a fitting stage for such a talented and dedicated group of students."
Nearly 250 students are competing
A total of 247 spellers between the ages of 9 and 15 are competing in this year's bee, representing all 50 states, U.S. territories and several countries.
The students earned spots at the national competition after advancing through regional spelling bees across the country.
Finals air Thursday night
The finals are scheduled to air live Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on ION and other Scripps-owned platforms.
Earlier rounds of competition began this week, narrowing the field ahead of the championship finals.
Mina Kimes makes hosting debut
ESPN analyst and "Celebrity Jeopardy!" winner Mina Kimes is serving as the bee's new host this year.
Kimes will host the finals alongside Paul Loeffler, a former national competitor who is marking his 20th year as a Bee analyst.
The competition also features a new production team led by Michael Davies, executive producer of "Jeopardy!" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
A competition with more than a century of history
The Scripps National Spelling Bee began in 1925 and has become one of the nation's most recognizable academic competitions.
This year marks the 98th edition of the bee after the competition was canceled during World War II and again in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2026 champion will take home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes along with the championship trophy.
