2026 Varsity & Junior Varsity
National Championships

April 23-26, 2026

At the Crystal Gateway Marriott – Arlington, Virginia
National Geography Bowl, National Biology Bee, National Humanities Bee & US Geography Bee Are Online in May

Arlington, VA
Arlington, VA

About Varsity & Junior Varsity Nationals

The 2026 International Academic Competitions suite of Varsity and Junior Varsity National Championships events will take place from late April to mid May of 2026. The list of Nationals events as well as when and where they take place are found below.

 

Event Date Location
National History Bowl
National History Bee
National Geography Bee
National Science Bee
National Academic Bee
US History Bee
National Political Science Bee
US Geography Championships
National Championship Exams		 April 23-26, 2026 Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
National Geography Bowl May 16, 2026 Online
National Humanities Bee May 17 and 18, 2026 Online
National Biology Bee May 17 and 19, 2026 Online
US Geography Bee May 21, 2026 Online
David Madden with Livingston High School (NJ), 2023 National History Bowl Varsity National Champions

Official Host Hotel

Please note that according to the IAC Stay-to-Play Policy staying at one of the official host hotels is required for all families outside a 100-mile driving radius of the Crystal Gateway Marriott.

Crystal Gateway Marriott

1700 Richmond Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
703-920-3230

Main Events at Nationals

Learn more about each event by clicking on its logo.

National History Bowl
National History Bee
National Geography Bee
National Science Bee
National Academic Bee
US History Bee
National Political Science Bee
US Geography Championships
US Geography Bee
National Championship Exams

Registration, Costs, and Qualification Notes

Note: Please read all information below before registering!

Important Registration Notes

  • Before Registering: Please review the costs, refund policy, and qualification notes listed below carefully before registering!

  • Processing Fee: Note that credit card payments will include a non-refundable 5% credit card processing fee.

  • Registration Deadline for in-person events to avoid late fees: April 6, 2026 for History Bowl teams and April 10, 2026 for individual events in Arlington, VA
    (late fees are an extra $5 per National Championship Exam, $10 per other individual events (including US Geography Championships), and $30 for History Bowl teams of any size)
    Registration Deadline (final): April 13, 2026 for History Bowl teams and April 17, 2026 for individual events in Arlington, VA
    Registration Deadline for online events to avoid late fees: May 5, 2026 (Natl. Biology Bee, Natl. Geography Bowl, Natl. Humanities Bee, US Geography Bee)
    (late fees are an extra $10 per other individual events and $30 for Geography Bowl teams of any size)
    Registration Deadline for online events (final) May 12, 2026
    (Note: registration is not guaranteed for Natl. Geography Bowl after May 5; the extra week for that event is on a space-available basis; the three online bees have guaranteed registration available through May 12 with the surcharge)

Qualification Notes – Please read before registering!

Official Refund Policy

  • On or Before April 6: 90% of paid fees not including credit card fees.

  • April 7-17: 50% of paid fees not including credit card fees.

  • April 18 and onwards: No refunds.

History Bowl

Max size is 4 players at once; unlimited substitute players

  • Team – $770

  • Duo Teams – $550

  • Solo Team – $330

Geography Bowl

Max size is 2 players at once; 1 substitute player allowed

  • Two or Three Player Team – $335

  • Solo Team – $175

Bee Event Costs

  • National History Bee – $155

  • US History Bee – $135

  • National Geography Bee – $135

  • US Geography Bee – $95

  • National Science Bee – $135

  • National Academic Bee – $135

  • National Political Science Bee – $135

  • National Biology Bee – $65

  • National Humanities Bee – $65

Other Individual Student Event Costs

  • US Geography Championships – $115

  • National Championship Exams – $25 per exam

Discounts

  • Hosting Discount: – $125 (for bowl teams only)

  • National History Bowl Moderators (pending IAC approval): – $160

  • National History Bee Moderators (pending IAC approval): – $100

  • USHB/NSB/NPSB/NGB/NAB Moderators (pending IAC approval): – $60