2019 Scripps Spelling Bee Winner and Prize
The 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee ended in a historic tie, with co-champions from the United States and India sharing the title and the top prize. The winners each received a $50,000 cash prize, a commemorative trophy, and other awards from the sponsoring organizations. The competition is organized by The E.W. Scripps Company, a diversified media company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, which runs the event as a not-for-profit educational program. More details on the program are available at https://www.scripps.com/entertainment/spelling-bee.
Competition Format and Word List
The bee uses a multi-round format that begins with classroom and school-level bees and advances to regional and national finals. Contestants must spell words drawn from a published word list that includes language-of-origin references, definitions, and usage examples. The 2019 word list featured challenging terms from languages such as German, French, Latin, and Sanskrit, with rounds testing spelling accuracy under time pressure. Additional information on the bee's structure can be found at https://www.spellingbee.com/about.
Sponsors, Broadcast, and Public Reach
The event is broadcast on television and digital platforms, reaching millions of viewers across the United States and internationally. Major sponsors and partners include Amazon, which provides streaming support, and other media and education-focused organizations that help fund scholarships and educational outreach. The bee also partners with dictionaries and language resources to standardize word pronunciations and definitions for the competition. Coverage and official rules are published at https://www.spellingbee.com/media.