Jeopardy! fans should prepare for a gathering of stars as 27 well-known contestants are set to participate in the second annual Invitational Tournament this month. The official lineup has been announced confirming fan predictions and it features beloved players from previous seasons and Tournament of Champions runner-ups.
The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament or JIT will commence immediately after the Tournament of Champions concludes. Given the ongoing "best of seven" finals series the start date will be no later than Monday February 17.
The returning Jeopardy! stars will compete across nine quarterfinal games followed by three semifinal games and a multiple-game finals series. The first contestant to secure two wins in the finals will be declared the JIT champion. The winner of JIT will receive a grand prize of $150000 a significant increase of $50000 from the previous year. Furthermore the JIT victor will earn a coveted spot in the upcoming 2025 Jeopardy! Masters competition.
Familiar Faces Return for Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament 2025
The impressive roster of competitors includes Matt Amodio a Season 37-38 standout who achieved a 38-game winning streak. Amodio has consistently demonstrated his Jeopardy! dominance reaching the Jeopardy! Masters stage multiple times and participating in the Tournament of Champions. Robin Carroll a Jeopardy! veteran with a five-game win streak in Season 16 and a Tournament of Champions victory in 2000 will also be competing. Carroll's extensive Jeopardy! history includes participation in prestigious events like the International Championship Million Dollar Masters and Ultimate Tournament of Champions.
Ben Chan the Season 39 nine-game champion and 2024 Tournament of Champions runner-up is set to test his skills once more. Roger Craig a Season 27 six-game winner and 2011 Tournament of Champions victor will add to the tournament's competitive spirit. Luigi de Guzman a five-game champion from Season 38-39 and a 2024 Tournament of Champions semifinalist will also be participating.
Jonathan Fisher known for his 11-game winning streak in Season 38 will return along with John Focht a Season 37 four-game champion and Tournament of Champions semifinalist. Avi Gupta the 2019 Teen Tournament champion and 2023 High School Reunion semifinalist is another notable name in the lineup. Skyler Hornback a Kids Week winner from 2013 who set a single-day Kids Week winnings record will also compete.
Jackson Jones a 2023 High School Reunion semifinalist and 2019 Teen Tournament semifinalist adds to the younger generation of Jeopardy! talent in the tournament. Jackie Kelly a four-game winner from Season 38 and a Tournament of Champions semifinalist is also among the contestants. Ray Lalonde the Season 39 13-game champion and 2024 Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist is set to participate. Ryan Long a Philadelphia native and Season 38 16-game champion known for his impressive run will be another contestant to watch.
Troy Meyer a Season 39 six-game champion and 2024 Tournament of Champions second runner-up will bring his competitive edge to the JIT. Doug Molitor a veteran player from Season 3 with appearances in the 10th Anniversary Tournament and Tournament of Champions adds historical depth to the competition. Emily Sands a Season 37 three-game champion Champions Wildcard winner and Tournament of Champions semifinalist will also be competing.
Claire Sattler the 2018 Teen Tournament champion and 2023 High School Reunion Tournament semifinalist is another returning face. Amy Schneider a Season 38 phenomenon with a 40-game winning streak and Tournament of Champions victory alongside multiple Jeopardy! Masters appearances is undoubtedly a major draw for the tournament. Rachael Schwartz a Season 10 four-game champion and 1994 Tournament of Champions winner with extensive Jeopardy! experience will participate.
Margaret Shelton a Season 38 four-game champion and Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist is also on the list. Jaskaran Singh the 2022 Jeopardy! National College Championship winner and Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist will compete. Shane Whitlock the 1996 College Championship winner and Ultimate Tournament of Champions participant adds to the tournament's diverse range of Jeopardy! talent. Hannah Wilson an eight-game champion from Season 39 and Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist will be competing.
Seth Wilson a 12-game champion from Season 33 and All-Star Games participant will return to the Jeopardy! stage. Maya Wright a two-time High School Reunion Tournament and Teen Tournament second runner-up brings her experience to the JIT. Juveria Zaheer a Second Chance competition winner Champions Wildcard winner and Tournament of Champions quarterfinalist completes the impressive lineup.
What The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament Lineup Means For Jeopardy! Fans
The announcement of the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament lineup has generated significant excitement among fans. The return of numerous fan-favorite contestants promises highly engaging and competitive gameplay . Seeing champions from different Jeopardy! eras clash is a major attraction. The increased prize money and the opportunity to qualify for the Jeopardy! Masters further elevate the stakes making each game even more crucial.
For Philadelphia area Jeopardy! viewers there is extra reason to cheer with two local contestants Ryan Long and Jackie Kelly participating. Long known for his impressive 16-game run and Kelly a four-game winner both from Season 38 add local flavor to the national competition. Their presence in the tournament provides a hometown connection for Philly fans adding another layer of interest to the JIT.
Our Take On The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament 2025 Contestants
The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament 2025 boasts an exceptionally strong and diverse lineup. The inclusion of Jeopardy! titans like Amy Schneider and Matt Amodio alongside past Tournament of Champions winners and rising stars guarantees a thrilling competition. The mix of experienced veterans and newer champions creates a dynamic field where anything can happen.
The tournament format with quarterfinal semifinal and final rounds ensures a prolonged period of high-level Jeopardy! action for viewers to enjoy. The revealed schedule of quarterfinal matchups indicates exciting head-to-head contests right from the start. Matchups like Matt Amodio against Hannah Wilson and Doug Molitor or Amy Schneider facing Avi Gupta and Luigi de Guzman are particularly noteworthy offering potential for intense and memorable games. The JIT is shaping up to be a must-watch event for all Jeopardy! enthusiasts promising weeks of captivating trivia and champion-level competition.
The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament 2025 begins February 17. Jeopardy! fans should tune in to witness these remarkable contestants battle for victory and a chance at Jeopardy! Masters glory.
Source: tvinsider.com phillyvoice.com deseret.com mtdemocrat.com