Logistics

We're excited about bringing a national competition back to the United States. You'll find general information about tournament logistics here.

Books and an apple
School

School bees will be held between February 1, 2026 and March 15, 2026. While we give schools flexibility in deciding how they select a school champion, we strongly encourage the 30-minute first phase of the bee to be held during regularly-held class periods to ensure that all students can participate.

Globe showing the East Coast
County

County bees will be held on March 27, 2026. School champions will all be invited to participate in a county bee against other school champions.

Map of the United States with pins
National

Regional bee champions will all be invited to participate in the 2026 National Geography Bee in Cambridge, Massachusetts, tentatively on May 9, 2026.