Venue gets mixed reviews as National Spelling Bee returns to DC ahead of White House UFC event
Nearly 250 spellers ages 9 to 15 will compete as the 2026 event returns to the capital with new changes and live finals on ION.
- The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicked off Tuesday at Constitution Hall in Washington with 247 spellers competing, marking the competition's return to the nation's capital after 15 years in suburban Maryland.
- After 15 years at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, the competition relocated to Constitution Hall seeking a richer experience for spellers to integrate into the city and see nearby monuments and museums.
- Nearly 250 spellers ages 9 to 15 demonstrated elite-level mental clarity during Tuesday's preliminary rounds, with 80 eliminated and 167 advancing to Wednesday's written test for roughly 100 quarterfinal spots.
- Security was significantly increased at Constitution Hall with metal detectors, guards at every entrance and explosive-sniffing dogs patrolling hallways, while spellers contended with crowded conditions and shuttle bus rides from their nearby hotel.
- Constitution Hall, built in 1929 by the Daughters of the American Revolution and used as a film location, positioned the competition in Washington's cultural heart, though some competitors preferred the prior Maryland venue's logistical convenience.
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37 Articles
Associated Press News
Venue gets mixed reviews as National Spelling Bee returns to DC ahead of White House UFC event
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has moved from suburban Maryland to downtown Washington, and not all spellers and their families appreciate the change.
Scripps National Spelling Bee returns to roots in Washington, DC, with new host
The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicked off Tuesday with kids from around the world stepping up to the mic for the preliminary rounds. Nearly 250 spellers, ages 9 to 15, are tackling some of the hardest words in the dictionary. This year's event also comes with some big changes that even the most veteran spellers can get excited about. The competition is back in the nation's capital after 15 years in Maryland.We always wanted to get back to D…
Mina Kimes on hosting the Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Scripps National Spelling Bee begins Tuesday in Washington, D.C., bringing together 247 finalists from all 50 states. These spellers emerged from millions of competitors across the nation who dream that this moment from last year may be theirs: This year, the competition will be hosted by ESPN's Mina Kimes. She sat down with Amna Nawaz to discuss her new role.
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