The Scripps National Spelling Bee has undergone significant changes this year in an effort to boost declining ratings. The three-day competition, hosted by ESPN's Mina Kimes, features a field of 247 young spellers from across the United States and five international countries. The event has moved to Washington's largest dedicated concert venue, DAR Constitution Hall, after 15 years at a Maryland convention center. Kimes aims to give the event a
Logan Bailey, 12, of Houston, Texas, reacts after correctly spelling his word during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Wednesday, in Washington.
A field of 247 are taking the stage this week. The event, hosted by ESPN's Mina Kimes and Paul Loeffler, aims to boost declining ratings. SALT LAKE CITY — A field of 247 young spellers are taking the stage at DAR Constitution Hall this week for a revamped Scripps National Spelling Bee. The three-day competition, which began Tuesday, looks a bit different this year.
The bee has moved to Washington's largest dedicated concert venue after 15 years at a Maryland convention center, and ESPN analyst Mina Kimes is hosting to give the event a "big-game feel," she told PBS. Kimes said she hopes to get viewers invested in the competition and "place an emphasis on that winning moment at the end.
" She compared the spelling bee to the Super Bowl, noting that whether someone is a speller or an NFL athlete, both require composure on the big stage and a high level of preparation. Kimes emphasized the idea of "word solving.
" While memorization plays a large part in the children's preparation, she told PBS that spellers must go back and forth with the pronouncer, effectively "solving puzzles on stage. "by Scripps and new executive producer Michael Davies — the mastermind behind "Jeopardy! " — as part of an overhaul to reverse a ratings decline, according to the Washington Times. Lauren Merillana, 14, of North Potomac, Md.
, spells her word during the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at DAR Constitution Hall, Wednesday, in Washington. The bee underwent significant changes to give it a "big-game feel.
" The first-place winner will take home the Scripps Cup — the official trophy of the National Spelling Bee — a commemorative medal and $50,000 in cash, according to Scripps. This year, the bee began with 247 spellers ages 9 to 15 participating. Some were hoping for redemption after dropping out early last year, while others are on the big stage for the first time.
Big names returning include Sarv Dharavane from Georgia, who placed third in last year's competition, Esha Maraud and Oliver Halkett, according to Scripps. The field includes competitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Department of Defense schools in Europe. Five international countries are also represented: the Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
To be eligible to participate, students cannot have passed the eighth grade and cannot be older than 15, according to Scripps. The journey to the national stage is rigorous. Classroom spelling bees are held from September to December, with winners advancing to regional qualifiers held from February to March. National competitors are selected based on those regional results.
Spellers advance through four segments: the preliminaries, quarterfinals and semifinals, all leading to the finals. Phaneendra Bulusu, 14, of Concord, N.C. , competes during the quarterfinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, in Washington. Bulusu was among the field of 247 participating this week.
Four Utah residents competed in the 2026 National Spelling Bee, with three advancing to the quarterfinals: Ashley Bryner of Price, and Roshan Kaushik and Ray Mishra, both of Salt Lake City. However, after the quarterfinal rounds early Wednesday, no Utahns advanced to the semifinals. The semifinals and finals will be broadcast live.
Here is how to watch :Thursday, May 28: Finals will air from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on ION or Scripps Sport Network. Zachary Teoh, 9, of Houston, Texas, hugs his mother after making it to the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Wednesday, in Washington. The finals are scheduled to take place Thursday.
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Scripps National Spelling Bee Mina Kimes ESPN DAR Constitution Hall Washington D.C. Spelling Competition National Stage Ratings Decline New Format Big-Game Feel Competition Details Eligibility Requirements Regional Qualifiers National Competitors Broadcast Schedule Live Coverage ION Scripps Sport Network Thursday Finals UT Residents Zachary Teoh Houston Texas Semifinals New Faces Competition Changes
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