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Welcome to The Spelling Bee Championship

The most prestigious spelling competition in the Middle East, now returning with greater excitement for the year 2026! Building on the legacy of our past editions since 2018, and inspired by the incredible success of last year’s championship, we’re thrilled to bring this celebrated event back to Dubai.

We invite students from Grades 3 to 10 across the UAE to step up, spell strong, and shine on a national stage.

Welcome to The Spelling Bee Championship

The most prestigious spelling competition in the Middle East, now reinvigorated for the year 2025! Drawing from the illustrious heritage of our previous editions, extending back to 2018, we are delighted to reintroduce this esteemed event to Dubai. We extend an invitation to students ranging from Grades 3 to 10 from all corners of the UAE to showcase their extraordinary spelling acumen.

Spelling Bee Championship 2025-26 Highlights

More Than a Contest—A Journey in Language Mastery

The Spelling Bee Championship is more than just a stage to compete — it’s a journey that empowers students to explore the beauty of language, sharpen their focus, and grow in confidence.

Registration for the 2026 edition opens on May 15th, 2025, and with it comes access to an enriching ecosystem of learning. Participants receive expertly curated word lists, engage in live virtual workshops led by our Executive Director, Ms. Corrie — a former champion herself — and gain exclusive insights from past winners who’ve been through the journey and triumphed.

From the first word practiced to the final round on stage, every step is a celebration of learning, effort, and excellence.

Begin your journey—register now and spell your way to greatness.

Honoring Excellence: The Journey from Preparation to Prestige

The Spelling Bee Championship is designed as a single, unified contest that celebrates spelling brilliance across all grades, nationalities, and school curriculums in the UAE. Students embark on a rewarding journey that begins with thoughtfully designed preliminary rounds, progresses through exciting semi-finals, and culminates in a thrilling grand finale that spotlights the nation’s top spellers.

Participants are supported throughout with curated word lists, engaging quizzes**, and guidance from expert training partners***, ensuring that learning stays fun, focused, and effective. It’s not just about competition — it’s about celebrating passion, persistence, and the power of words.

** Optional online training available through external partners; additional costs may apply.
*** In-person training provided by our official partner or approved external trainers; additional costs may apply.

Where Words Take You Places: Celebrating Champions, Inspiring Journeys

In 2026, Seth Warren emerged as the Spelling Bee Championship UAE Champion, earning the coveted national title along with a cash prize of AED 15,000. He will go on to represent the UAE on the global stage at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., carrying with him the aspirations of students across the nation.

This year’s Finals also celebrated exceptional talent across the board.
Inayah secured the position of 1st Runner-Up and was awarded AED 5,000, while Rei earned AED 5,000 as 2nd Runner-Up.

In a remarkable gesture of support for academic excellence, Emirates Islamic Bank extended prize recognition beyond the podium, awarding AED 1,000 each to 40 additional finalists, reinforcing the belief that excellence deserves encouragement at every level.

The Championship continues to grow year-on-year, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, curricula, and learning environments including traditional schools and homeschoolers alike.

Important Update:
From the coming editions onward, the competition will be open exclusively to students up to Grade 8, ensuring age-aligned competitiveness at the national and international level.

One stage.
One opportunity.
One student representing the UAE on the global platform.

Will you be next?

Your Journey Begins Here
Step into a world where words open doors, confidence takes center stage, and every effort counts. Join a movement that celebrates curiosity, resilience, and the joy of learning. Registration for the 2026-27 Spelling Bee Championship opens  May 1, 2026 — don’t just be a part of the competition, be part of a legacy.

Spell. Shine. Soar.

ABOUT THE BEE

The Spelling Bee Championship is the Middle East’s most prestigious platform for celebrating the power of words and the brilliance of young minds. Rooted in the legacy of the renowned Scripps National Spelling Bee in the USA, our championship is designed to spark a lifelong love for language while nurturing confidence, focus, and academic excellence.

Open to students across all grades, curriculam, and nationalities in the UAE, the Spelling Bee Championship is more than a competition — it’s a movement. We are committed to creating an inclusive and inspiring space where every participant feels empowered to learn, grow, and shine.

Message from Scripps National Spelling Bee

“At the Scripps National Spelling Bee, we are proud to support organizations that share our mission of fostering lifelong curiosity and celebrating academic excellence. The Spelling Bee Championship, UAE Edition 2025–26, inspires students to set ambitious goals and pursue them with dedication. We look forward to welcoming the Spelling Bee Champion from the UAE to compete at our national competition in Washington, D.C., and to represent their country on the global stage. “

Corrie Loeffler,
Executive Director

Proudly Aligned with a Century of Spelling Excellence

The Spelling Bee Championship in the UAE is built on a trusted association with the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the world’s most prestigious spelling competition with a 100-year legacy. This connection is not just symbolic — it’s lived and celebrated every year.

In our most recent grand finale, we were honored to have Mr. Brian Sietsema, official Scripps pronouncer, and Ms. Corrie Loeffler, Executive Director of Scripps, serve as pronouncer and head judge respectively — a powerful endorsement of the integrity and impact of our championship.

Their presence reflects the belief that Scripps places in the talent emerging from the UAE, and in our shared mission to elevate spelling as a celebration of intellect, discipline, and personal growth on a truly global stage.

SPONSOR