The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 is buzzing with excitement as it marks its 100th anniversary, a historic milestone for one of America’s most beloved academic competitions. As of May 28, 2025, the event is in full swing at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, with 243 young spellers from across the U.S. and beyond vying for the coveted Scripps Cup. This year’s competition has already seen dramatic moments, with 183 spellers advancing past the preliminary rounds and nine making it to the finals, set to air live on ION tonight, May 29, 2025. From standout performances to evolving rules, here’s everything you need to know about this landmark celebration of spelling prowess.
A Historic Milestone for Scripps Spelling Bee 2025
This year’s Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 kicked off on May 27, celebrating a century since its humble beginnings in 1925 with just nine competitors. Now a national phenomenon, the event draws spellers aged 8 to 14 from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and countries like Canada, Ghana, and Nigeria. The competition tests not only spelling but also vocabulary and composure under pressure. On Tuesday, the preliminaries whittled down the field, with 183 spellers advancing to the quarterfinals. By Wednesday night, 57 competed in the semifinals, and nine emerged as finalists, ready to battle for the $52,500 grand prize.
The event’s rich history adds extra weight this year. From its first champion to today’s global stage, the Bee has grown into a cultural touchstone, showcasing linguistic diversity and academic excellence. Indian American spellers continue to dominate, having won 29 of the last 35 championships, a testament to their preparation and passion for words.
Notable Spellers to Watch
The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 boasts a talented lineup of competitors. Aishwarya Kallakuri, a 14-year-old from Concord, North Carolina, is a standout, having won the SpellPundit National Spelling Bee earlier this year. She’s aiming to be the first North Carolinian to claim the Scripps Cup since 1970. Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, returns after finishing as runner-up in 2024, losing in a dramatic “spell-off.” Zaki, who aced the written test this year, is a favorite, bolstered by his wins in online bees like the Words of Wisdom Spelling Bee.
Other spellers making waves include Nicasio David, a 14-year-old from Florida’s Paul Dunbar Middle School, who advanced to the semifinals, and Oliver Halkett from Los Angeles, one of the nine finalists. Sacramento’s Shruthi Srinivasan, 12, and Ryan Sekera, 10, also shone, breezing through early rounds with words like “mandragora” and definitions like “resilience.” These young logophiles, many coached by professionals like Scott Remer, who mentors 27 spellers this year, bring fierce determination to the stage.
Rules That Keep the Bee Buzzing
The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 follows a structured format, evolving to keep the competition fair and thrilling. Spellers face multiple rounds: a spelling round, a vocabulary round, and a written test in the preliminaries, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. Words grow tougher each round, often dipping into obscure geographical terms or roots from Latin, Greek, and French. A notable rule change this year gives judges more flexibility with the “spell-off,” a lightning-round tiebreaker used when only two spellers remain. Unlike past years, the spell-off no longer has a fixed start time, allowing the competition to unfold naturally.
Eligibility is strict: spellers must be in eighth grade or below and under 15 years old. All 243 participants qualified through regional bees, ensuring a diverse and competitive field. The rules reward precision and strategy, with spellers like Zaki excelling by studying thousands of words and their linguistic origins.
Prizes That Reward Excellence
The stakes are high at the Scripps Spelling Bee 2025. The champion will claim:
- $50,000 cash prize from Scripps
- $2,500 cash and a reference library from Merriam-Webster
- $400 in reference works and a three-year Britannica Online Premium subscription
- Scripps Cup and a commemorative medal
- $1,000 Scholastic Dollars for the winner’s school
- Five-year News-O-Matic subscription for their school
Quarterfinalists receive a $100 gift card and a commemorative pin, while all spellers get a prize package with bee souvenirs, a Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online subscription, and a certificate. These rewards reflect the Bee’s commitment to celebrating academic achievement.
How to Watch the Action Unfold
Fans can catch the Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 live on ION, with the semifinals airing Wednesday, May 28, from 8–10 p.m. ET, and the finals on Thursday, May 29, at the same time. For cord-cutters, streaming options like Fubo offer free trials to watch the competition live. The Gaylord National Resort’s stage, set just outside Washington, D.C., is where the drama unfolds, with head judge Mary Brooks and pronouncer Jacques Bailly guiding spellers through each word. Whether you’re cheering for a local favorite or marveling at the linguistic feats, tuning in is a must.
The Cultural Impact of the Bee
The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 isn’t just about spelling; it’s a celebration of language and diversity. Spellers study words from Spanish, German, Italian, and more, fostering a global appreciation for linguistics. The competition’s international flair, with participants from Kuwait to the Bahamas, highlights its role in promoting cultural exchange. Coaches like Scott Remer, author of Words of Wisdom, emphasize that spellers aren’t just competing against each other—they’re tackling the dictionary itself. This mindset builds camaraderie and resilience, qualities that shine through in every round.
The Bee also sparks debates, like last year’s controversy over accepting “womyn” as an alternative spelling for “women.” While some saw it as a nod to inclusivity, others viewed it as a step too far. Regardless, the event remains a platform for young scholars to shine, proving that words can bridge divides and spark joy.
Standout Moments So Far
This year’s competition has already delivered unforgettable moments. Enzo Singsong Paylaga, 14, from California, celebrated wildly after nailing his quarterfinal word, while Beatriz Lucille Whitford-Rodriguez, also 14, spelled hers in the air with her finger, charming the audience. Minnesota’s five spellers and Alaska’s Maria Hernandez-Zamora and Elden Wier, both 13, showed grit in reaching Round 3. Meanwhile, Akron’s Zach Yeager, representing a newspaper with a century-long tie to the Bee, aced words like “quonk” and defined “boisterous” to advance. These stories of triumph and perseverance make the Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 a spectacle of heart and intellect.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
As the finals approach on May 29, the nine remaining spellers— including Esha Marupudi, Oliver Halkett, and Sarvadnya Kadam—are preparing for their shot at history. Will Aishwarya Kallakuri make North Carolina proud? Can Faizan Zaki redeem his 2024 loss? The stage is set for a nail-biting conclusion, with obscure words and high stakes testing the spellers’ limits. The Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 promises to crown a champion who embodies the event’s legacy of dedication and linguistic mastery.
Why the Bee Matters
For 100 years, the Scripps Spelling Bee has inspired generations to embrace the power of words. It’s more than a competition; it’s a testament to hard work, curiosity, and the joy of learning. Whether it’s a 10-year-old defining “resilience” or a 14-year-old tackling “certiorari,” these spellers remind us that language is a living, evolving art. As the 2025 Bee wraps up, its impact will ripple through classrooms and communities, encouraging young minds to keep spelling, keep learning, and keep dreaming big.
Join the Buzz
Don’t miss the Scripps Spelling Bee 2025 finals on May 29 at 8 p.m. ET on ION or stream it live on Fubo. Cheer on the finalists, share your favorite moments online, and celebrate a century of spelling greatness. Who’s your pick to win the Scripps Cup? Let’s keep the conversation buzzing!