The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 finals are unfolding tonight, May 29, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, marking a historic milestone as the competition celebrates its 100th anniversary. This year’s event, which began with 243 spellers from across the United States and countries like Canada, Nigeria, and Kuwait, has narrowed to nine finalists vying for the coveted Scripps Cup and a $50,000 prize. The finals, broadcast live on ION from 8 to 10 p.m. ET, have already delivered intense moments, with spellers like Harini Murali and Aishwarya Kallakuri eliminated in the seventh round, leaving just three competitors in the eighth round. The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 is proving to be a thrilling showcase of linguistic talent, with young spellers navigating complex words under immense pressure.
A Century of Spelling Excellence
This year’s Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 marks a century since its inception in 1925, when Frank Neuhauser won by spelling “gladiolus.” Organized by The E.W. Scripps Company since 1941, the competition has grown into a global phenomenon, drawing students under 15 who haven’t passed eighth grade. The bee promotes literacy, vocabulary, and proper English usage, engaging an estimated 11 million students annually through local and regional competitions. This year’s field included 180 first-time national competitors and returning stars like Faizan Zaki, last year’s runner-up, who trains five to six hours daily and is a favorite to claim the title.
The competition structure has evolved for 2025, reintroducing a written round to test spelling and vocabulary skills, ensuring a more predictable number of quarterfinalists. Spellers faced preliminary rounds with a 500-word study list, followed by quarterfinals and semifinals using words from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary. The finals have showcased dramatic moments, with perfect rounds and nail-biting eliminations, such as Sarvadnya Kadam’s clutch spelling of “tachist” with just 12 seconds left.
Standout Spellers and Dramatic Moments
The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 has highlighted remarkable young talents. Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Plano, Texas, brings experience from four bees, including a second-place finish in 2024 after a spell-off loss to Bruhat Soma. His rigorous training, likened to that of a professional athlete, includes drilling thousands of words daily. Sarv Dharavane, an 11-year-old fifth-grader, charmed audiences with a casual “wassup” before correctly spelling his word, showing confidence beyond his years. The finals also saw intense vocabulary rounds, with Akshaj Somisetty eliminated in the 12th round after missing a definition, finishing ninth.
Here’s a snapshot of key finalists:
- Faizan Zaki, 13, Texas: 2024 runner-up, known for intense preparation.
- Sarv Dharavane, 11, California: Youngest finalist, bringing charisma to the stage.
- Avinav Prem Anand, 14, Ohio: SpellPundit National Spelling Bee winner, a top contender.
The competition’s drama peaked in the seventh round, where Harini Murali misspelled “tekke” and Aishwarya Kallakuri fell to “Keighley,” thinning the field to six before the eighth round’s three remaining spellers.
Scripps Spelling Bee 2025: Behind the Scenes
The bee’s officials, including head pronouncer Dr. Jacques Bailly, who marks his 22nd year, and first female pronouncer Vanya Shivashankar, add depth to the event. Bailly, a former speller, brings a calming presence, while Shivashankar, the 2015 champion, made history this week. Comedian Zach Sherwin, the commercial-break emcee, keeps the audience engaged with rap verses, though not all eliminated spellers appreciate his antics. The event’s move to Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., for 2026 was announced, signaling a new chapter for the bee.
The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 also reflects cultural shifts, with Indian-American spellers dominating recent decades, including all champions from 2008 to 2018. This year’s diverse field, with competitors from Nigeria and Kuwait, underscores the bee’s global reach. Prizes remain a draw, with the champion earning $52,500, a trophy, and reference works, while semifinalists and quarterfinalists receive cash and gift cards.
A Legacy of Learning and Inspiration
As the Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 concludes, it celebrates a century of fostering curiosity and academic excellence. Past champions like Nupur Lala, now a neuro-oncologist, and Karthik Nemmani, a computer science major, credit the bee for shaping their careers. The competition’s blend of pressure, preparation, and camaraderie creates lifelong memories, with spellers forming friendships that endure beyond the stage. Tonight’s champion will join a prestigious lineage, carrying forward a tradition that inspires millions to embrace the power of words.
Watch the Finals and Join the Buzz
Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion of the Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 on ION tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Cheer for the final spellers as they battle for the title, and consider hosting a local spelling bee to spark literacy in your community. Visit spellingbee.com for details on next year’s competition and how to get involved.