Official Gameplay Rules

A NIGHT AT THE BEE

2026 COMPETITION RULES

 
ABOUT THE GAME

A Night at The Bee is a game night-style competition for adults that includes four different categories of Spelling (spelling bee), History (trivia), STEM (are you smarter than a middle schooler?) and Art (Pictionary). Each category has three rounds: preliminary, semifinal, and final. Preliminary rounds are typically held via Zoom in April. The top 5 teams from each category advance to the in-person event, where both the semifinal and final rounds will take place.

GAME OBJECTIVE

Each category is its own distinct competition. The winners of each category will win a prize pack. Teams also compete for the overall A Night at the Bee Grand Prize of $1,000 and the coveted traveling trophy. Points are awarded for the order of finish in each category in the following increments: 20 points for 1st place, 15 points for 2nd place, 10 points for 3rd place, 5 points for 4th place, 4 points for 5th place, 3 points for 6th place, 2 points for 7th place, and 1 point for 8th place. The team that earns the most total points across the four categories will be declared the overall champion.

SEMIFINAL ROUND

The semifinal round will include five teams competing in each category.

  • In rotating order, each of the five teams will have the chance to answer up to three questions during a 45-second time-period.
  • If the first question is answered correctly and time remains on the clock, a bonus question will be read. If the bonus question is answered correctly and time still remains on the clock, an additional bonus question will be read.
  • The period ends when a question is answered incorrectly; when all three questions have been answered correctly; or when the 45-second timer ends, whichever comes first.
  • Questions will be read aloud by the Host and displayed on a projection screen.
  • One point will be awarded for each correct answer.
  • A rotation is completed once each team has completed a 45-second period, and then a new rotation will begin.
  • The semifinal round will consist of four complete rotations. Each team will remain in the round through the conclusion of the round, regardless of any incorrect answers.
  • After four complete rotations, the two teams with the highest point total in the semifinal round will advance to the finals.
  • In the event of a tie, the team with the highest cumulative points (including the preliminary round) will advance to the finals.
  • If a tie remains, a tiebreaker will be held.
FINAL ROUND

The final round will have two teams competing knockout style in each category.

  • In rotating order, teams will have a chance to answer a question.
  • Although the finals are knockout style, teams will have an equal number of opportunities.
  • Questions will be read aloud by the Host and displayed on a shared screen. Teams have 30 seconds to deliberate and verbally submit a final answer via their official scribe.
  • A team shall be declared the champion when they are the only team to get a correct answer in a single rotation.
  • Teams cannot win the competition on another team’s incorrect answer without also answering a question correctly in that same rotation. If both teams give an incorrect answer in the same rotation, we will start a new rotation with both teams receiving new questions.
  • Example: Team 1 gets a question correct, Team 2 gets the next question incorrect = Team 1 is the winner.
  • Example: Team 1 gets a question incorrect, Team 2 gets the next question correct = Team 2 is the winner.
  • Example: Team 1 gets a question correct, Team 2 gets the next question correct = start a new rotation.
  • Example: Team 1 gets a question incorrect, Team 2 gets the next question incorrect = start a new rotation. 
  • If no champion has been declared after 10 rotations, or 10 minutes on the clock, a tiebreaker will be held.
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