WASHINGTON (PulseWire) – The highly‑anticipated finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee are set to light up television screens this Thursday night, as the best teenage spellers from across the United States and select international invitations race to spell the word that will crown the next national champion. The three‑day event began Tuesday and has culminated in nine finalists who will battle on the microphone this evening.
**Live Coverage**
The finale will be streamed live 8 p.m.–10 p.m. EDT on the Scripps‑owned ION TV channel, with coverage also available on ION Plus, Bounce, Grit, Laff, The Spot, Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More, Scripps News and Scripps Sports Network. Furthermore, fans can tap into the full live stream and interactive updates on the Scripps Sports app, which is powered by the same network’s content hub.
**A Brief History**
The Scripps National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when the Louisville Courier‑Journal invited other papers to host spelling contests whose champions would attend a national showdown in Washington. After a long stint in suburban Maryland’s convention center, the bee returned this year to Constitution Hall, a few blocks from the White House.
The ’26 edition is the 98th overall – the 111th champion on record – because the competition finished with a two‑way tie multiple times in earlier years and an eight‑way tie in 2019. The event was canceled during World War II (1943–1945) and again in 2020 for COVID‑19.
**New Host – Mina Kimes**
Joining the lineup as the televised host is ESPN NFL analyst and recent Celebrity Jeopardy! champion Mina Kimes, adding a new, crossover star to the historic event.
**Who’s in the Final?**
The nine finalists represent a cross‑section of the nation’s top spellers:
- **Sarv Dharavane** (Erding, Georgia), 11, third in 2025.
- **Shrey Parikh** (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), 14, third in 2024.
- **Oliver Halkett** (Los Angeles, CA), 14.
- **Zwe Spacetime** (Fort Washington, MD), 14, brother of 2021 champ Zaila Avant‑Garde.
- **Aiden Meng** (Orinda, CA), 13.
- **Ishaan Gupta** (Jersey City, NJ), 12.
- **Kushi Gottimukkala** (Morrisville, NC), 13.
- **Avishka Dudala** (Prosper, TX), 13.
- **Logan Bailey** (Houston, TX), 12.
The finalists came from a field of 247 participants – 50 states, DC, 3 U.S. territories, and 5 other countries (Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, UAE). After preliminaries, 167 remained, and a written spelling & vocabulary test cut the field to 95 quarterfinalists.
**Rules & Format**
Spellers advance by passing two preliminaries: a spelling round and a multiple‑choice vocabulary quiz. Winners proceed to a written test based on Merriam‑Webster Unabridged. Points carry over to open‑air quarterfinals and semifinals where spellers are eliminated live on the mic. If a tie‑breaker is needed, a lightning‑round “spell‑off” decides the winner.
**Prize Breakdown**
- 1st: $52,500, Britannica & Merriam‑Webster references, trophy, medal, and $1,000 Delta flight credit.
- 2nd: $25,000.
- 3rd: $15,000.
- 4th: $10,000.
- 5th: $5,000.
- 6th: $2,500.
- All remaining finalists: $2,000.
**Why It Matters**
Over 30 past champions have Indian heritage, echoing the 2025 champion Faizan Zaki’s legacy. The bee continues to be a proving ground for young academics, and the prize money fuels both competition and exploration.
**Stay Engaged**
PulseWire readers can track live results via our embedded score map, post new comments, and share the instant updates on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other socials. Follow the live stream, join the interactive polls, and never miss a word.
— Ben Nuckols, who has been following the bee since 2012, reports. Link to his previous coverage: Ben Nuckols’ AP‑News profile.
**Live Coverage**
The finale will be streamed live 8 p.m.–10 p.m. EDT on the Scripps‑owned ION TV channel, with coverage also available on ION Plus, Bounce, Grit, Laff, The Spot, Bounce XL, Grit Xtra, Laff More, Scripps News and Scripps Sports Network. Furthermore, fans can tap into the full live stream and interactive updates on the Scripps Sports app, which is powered by the same network’s content hub.
**A Brief History**
The Scripps National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when the Louisville Courier‑Journal invited other papers to host spelling contests whose champions would attend a national showdown in Washington. After a long stint in suburban Maryland’s convention center, the bee returned this year to Constitution Hall, a few blocks from the White House.
The ’26 edition is the 98th overall – the 111th champion on record – because the competition finished with a two‑way tie multiple times in earlier years and an eight‑way tie in 2019. The event was canceled during World War II (1943–1945) and again in 2020 for COVID‑19.
**New Host – Mina Kimes**
Joining the lineup as the televised host is ESPN NFL analyst and recent Celebrity Jeopardy! champion Mina Kimes, adding a new, crossover star to the historic event.
**Who’s in the Final?**
The nine finalists represent a cross‑section of the nation’s top spellers:
- **Sarv Dharavane** (Erding, Georgia), 11, third in 2025.
- **Shrey Parikh** (Rancho Cucamonga, CA), 14, third in 2024.
- **Oliver Halkett** (Los Angeles, CA), 14.
- **Zwe Spacetime** (Fort Washington, MD), 14, brother of 2021 champ Zaila Avant‑Garde.
- **Aiden Meng** (Orinda, CA), 13.
- **Ishaan Gupta** (Jersey City, NJ), 12.
- **Kushi Gottimukkala** (Morrisville, NC), 13.
- **Avishka Dudala** (Prosper, TX), 13.
- **Logan Bailey** (Houston, TX), 12.
The finalists came from a field of 247 participants – 50 states, DC, 3 U.S. territories, and 5 other countries (Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, UAE). After preliminaries, 167 remained, and a written spelling & vocabulary test cut the field to 95 quarterfinalists.
**Rules & Format**
Spellers advance by passing two preliminaries: a spelling round and a multiple‑choice vocabulary quiz. Winners proceed to a written test based on Merriam‑Webster Unabridged. Points carry over to open‑air quarterfinals and semifinals where spellers are eliminated live on the mic. If a tie‑breaker is needed, a lightning‑round “spell‑off” decides the winner.
**Prize Breakdown**
- 1st: $52,500, Britannica & Merriam‑Webster references, trophy, medal, and $1,000 Delta flight credit.
- 2nd: $25,000.
- 3rd: $15,000.
- 4th: $10,000.
- 5th: $5,000.
- 6th: $2,500.
- All remaining finalists: $2,000.
**Why It Matters**
Over 30 past champions have Indian heritage, echoing the 2025 champion Faizan Zaki’s legacy. The bee continues to be a proving ground for young academics, and the prize money fuels both competition and exploration.
**Stay Engaged**
PulseWire readers can track live results via our embedded score map, post new comments, and share the instant updates on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other socials. Follow the live stream, join the interactive polls, and never miss a word.
— Ben Nuckols, who has been following the bee since 2012, reports. Link to his previous coverage: Ben Nuckols’ AP‑News profile.
