‘Jeopardy!’ 2026 Tournament of Champions Semi-Final Matchups Revealed | Entertainment News
The 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions is underway, kicking off on January 19th with a field of twenty contestants vying for the title. Hosted once again by Ken Jennings, the tournament will culminate in a final showdown where the first player to win three games will be crowned champion and advance to Jeopardy! Masters.
A Unique Path to the Finals
This year’s competition features a tiered structure. Scott Riccardi, Laura Faddah, and Paolo Pasco have earned direct entry into the semi-finals. The six winners emerging from the current quarterfinals will then join them in three semi-final games. The ultimate victor of those games will then face the semi-final winners in the championship round.
Harrison Whitaker’s Tournament Future
Despite a highly successful run as the current season’s super-champ, Harrison Whitaker will not participate in the 2026 Tournament of Champions. His impressive streak of 14 wins across 15 games, concluding on December 1st, occurred too late in the eligibility period. However, Whitaker has secured the first seed in the 2027 Tournament of Champions, having earned $375,999 during his run.
A Diverse Field of Competitors
The Tournament of Champions draws its contestants from a variety of backgrounds. The field includes players who demonstrated consistent success during the qualifying period, as well as the winners of the Champions Wildcard competition and Celebrity Jeopardy!. This year’s contestants hail from across the United States and Canada.
Quarterfinal and Semifinal Matchups
The quarterfinals are structured as follows:
- January 19— Starnes, Devlin, and Levine
- January 20 — Hayes, Liaw, and Kuney
- January 21 — Wargin, Berry, and Ganger
- January 22 — Chan, Bell, and DeFrank
- January 23 — Olson, Weikert, and Massie
- January 26 — Walter, Dawson, and Fisher
The semifinal matchups will be:
- January 27 — Riccardi, Kuney, and Devlin
- January 28 — Faddah, Olson, and Fisher
- January 29 — Pasco, Berry, and Chan
An exhibition game featuring Riccardi, Faddah, and Pasco is scheduled for January 30th.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the 2026 Tournament of Champions begin?
The Tournament of Champions kicked off on January 19.
Who is hosting the 2026 Tournament of Champions?
Ken Jennings is hosting the Tournament of Champions.
How does a contestant win the Tournament of Champions?
The first player to achieve three wins in the final round will be crowned champion.
Which contestant’s strategic gameplay are you most anticipating as the Tournament of Champions progresses?