Scripps Spelling Bee winner: California Teen Shrey Parikh Wins Scripps Spelling Bee with Bromocriptine

California eighth-grader Shrey Parikh has become the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee winner, spelling 32 words in the 90-second spell-off. The Silicon Review reports on the record-breaking victory.

A 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California has become the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee winner, defeating 247 other contestants in a dramatic lightning-round tiebreaker at Washington's Constitution Hall. 

Shrey Parikh, an eighth-grader at Day Creek Intermediate School, clinched the title by spelling 32 words correctly in the 90-second "spell-off" final, setting a new competition record. Runner-up Ishaan Gupta, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from New Jersey, spelled 25 words correctly. 

The winning word was "bromocriptine" a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine. Parikh advanced to the spell-off by correctly spelling "Philepitta," a genus of Madagascan birds, while Gupta matched him in the 18th round with "Ertebølle." 

The final round format, introduced in 2021 after the 2019 competition ended with eight co-champions, requires finalists to spell as many words as possible in 90 seconds from the same list. 

Parikh finished third in the 2024 Scripps Spelling Bee but lost his school bee last year when he was battling a fever. He has dominated the bee circuit since, winning several competitive online competitions. 

The winner takes home the Scripps Cup trophy along with 50,000 in prize money. Additional prizes include 2,500 from Merriam-Webster, $1,000 in flight credits from Delta, and reference works from Encyclopaedia Britannica. 

Indian-American contestants dominated the 2026 competition, with Parikh and Gupta finishing first and second respectively, while Sarv Dharavane from Georgia placed third. 

Parikh previously competed in the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee, where he tied for 89th place. 

The 2026 competition featured 247 spellers ages 9 to 15 from all 50 states, as well as international participants from the Bahamas, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates. 

The Silicon Review's analysis indicates that Parikh's 32-word spell-off performance sets a new benchmark for the competition and showcases the increasing competitiveness of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Q: Who won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee?
A: Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Rancho Cucamonga, California, won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. He spelled 32 words correctly in the 90-second spell-off final.

Q: What was the winning word in the 2026 Scripps Spelling Bee?
A: The winning word was "bromocriptine." According to Merriam-Webster, it is a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine.

Q: What is the "spell-off" format in the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
A: The spell-off format was introduced in 2021 after the 2019 competition ended with eight co-champions. Each finalist gets 90 seconds to spell as many words as possible from the same list. The speller who correctly spells the most words wins.

Q: How many words did Shrey Parikh spell correctly in the final spell-off?
A: Parikh spelled 32 words correctly in the 90-second spell-off final, setting a new competition record. Runner-up Ishaan Gupta spelled 25 words correctly.

Q: What prize money does the Scripps Spelling Bee winner receive?
A: The winner receives $50,000 in cash, the Scripps Cup trophy, a commemorative medal, plus additional prizes from sponsors including Merriam-Webster and Delta Airlines.

Q: Where is Shrey Parikh from and what school does he attend?
A: Parikh is from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and attends Day Creek Intermediate School. He finished third in the 2024 Scripps Spelling Bee and tied for 89th place in 2022.