Words of the Champions 2027 is the official 4,000-word study list released by the Scripps National Spelling Bee for students who advance beyond their school bee to district, county, and regional competitions. Scripps distributed the 2027 edition to enrolled schools on August 18, 2026. This comprehensive guide explains what is in the list, how One Bee, Two Bee and Three Bee tiers work, key dates, and how to structure your 16-week study schedule.
What Words of the Champions Is (and Isn't)
Scripps designates Words of the Champions as the official study guide for school champions preparing for advanced stages: district, regional qualifier, and regional bees.
Essential facts about the 2027 edition:
- 4,000 words in total: Encompassing extensive etymological categories.
- Includes all 450 school-level words: The entire School Spelling Bee Study List is built into this collection.
- Rooted in Merriam-Webster Unabridged: The official dictionary authority for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
- Updated annually: The 2026 edition is distinct from the 2027 booklet. Always verify the competition year on the cover.
What it is not: An absolute guarantee of every word called on stage. Scripps Suggested Rules state that competition lists use words from the official study list, but bees can conclude with an off-list section of unstudied words to crown the champion.
The Two Official 2027 Lists, Side by Side
| Feature | School Spelling Bee Study List 2027 | Words of the Champions 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Word Count | 450 words | 4,000 words (includes all 450) |
| Intended Competition | Classroom, grade-level, and school bees | District, county, regional qualifiers, regionals |
| Internal Structure | Grade 1 through Grade 8 sequence | Three difficulty levels: One Bee, Two Bee, Three Bee |
| How Schools Access | Coordinator login at spellingbee.com | Teacher portal at spellingbee.com |
| How Families Access | School bee coordinator; free Word Club app | Amazon paperback / Kindle; free Word Club app |
If your speller is still preparing for their classroom or school bee, focus entirely on the 450-word list first. Once they claim the school title, Words of the Champions becomes the daily roadmap.
One Bee, Two Bee, Three Bee: Levels, Not Grades
This is the single most common misconception among parents and coaches: One Bee, Two Bee, and Three Bee are difficulty tiers, NOT school grade levels.
A 5th grader competing in a regional bee can be given words from Two Bee or Three Bee in early rounds because Scripps permits pronouncers to select from anywhere in the 4,000-word book.
- One Bee (approx. 1,000 words): The foundational tier. Master these first, as early rounds often draw heavily from this pool.
- Two Bee (approx. 2,000 words): The core bulk of your study time. Expect loanwords, French silent letters, and complex Latin prefixes.
- Three Bee (approx. 1,000 words): The most demanding tier, where Greek roots, German compounds, and Italian musical terms feature prominently.
For grade-level practice words, try our spelling bee words by grade. For advanced words categorized by etymology, explore our curated Scripps word lists.
How to Get Words of the Champions 2027 Legitimately
- Through your school coordinator: Enrolled schools download the official materials directly from spellingbee.com at zero cost to families.
- Amazon purchase: Scripps publishes official print and Kindle versions on Amazon following Labor Day each year.
- Scripps Word Club app: Available on iOS and Android with free quizzes across all 4,000 Words of the Champions entries in spelling and vocabulary modes.
Once your school is enrolled, see how to use the lists in a classroom spelling bee.
Key Dates for the 2027 Season
| Date | Milestone Event | Official Authority |
|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | 2027 study booklet released to enrolled schools | Scripps Official FAQ |
| Post-Labor Day 2026 | 2027 Word Club app update & Amazon book release | Scripps Distribution |
| August 31, 2026 | Speller age cutoff: must not have reached age 15 | 2027 Suggested Rules |
| February 1, 2027+ | Regional championship qualifying window opens | Scripps Suggested Rules |
| June 1–3, 2027 | Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals (National Harbor, MD) | Scripps Official Calendar |
A 16-Week Study Plan for Words of the Champions
Starting in mid-autumn provides about 16 weeks of structured prep prior to early-February regional competitions:
| Timeline | Target Focus | Pace (New Words/Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | The 450 School Study List words (lock in fundamentals) | ~30 words/day |
| Weeks 3–6 | One Bee (approx. 1,000 words) | ~35–40 words/day |
| Weeks 7–13 | Two Bee (approx. 2,000 words) | ~40–45 words/day |
| Weeks 14–15 | Three Bee (approx. 1,000 advanced words) | ~60–70 words/day |
| Week 16 | Missed-words log review & live spoken mock bees | Full review |
Key study habits for spellers:
- Spell aloud: Competitions are oral. Have a partner pronounce each word while you spell back aloud, letter by letter.
- Maintain a notebook of missed words: Re-test missed words every three days. True mastery comes from fixing weaknesses.
- Study etymology and language of origin: Memorizing Greek combining forms (like philo-, chrono-) and Latin roots equips you to tackle unseen off-list words.
Read our complete spelling bee study guide for deep-dive mock bee routines and contest psychology.
Competition Rules That Change How You Should Study
- Permitted speller queries: You may ask the pronouncer for definition, part of speech, language of origin, example sentence, and alternate pronunciations. Always practice asking for language of origin!
- No root assistance: Pronouncers are strictly prohibited from answering direct questions regarding root words.
- Retracing is allowed: You may stop and start over from the beginning, but you cannot alter any letter or letter sequence already spoken.
Is This Related to the NYT Spelling Bee Game?
No! The New York Times Spelling Bee is an anagram word puzzle based on seven letters. If you are solving today's NYT puzzle, check out our daily Spelling Bee hints and today's Spelling Bee answers. For championship spellers, see how the finals were won in our 2026 Scripps Champion Shrey Parikh profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Words of the Champions 2027 released?
Scripps made the 2027 booklet available to enrolled schools on August 18, 2026. The Amazon publication and Word Club app update arrived after Labor Day 2026.
How many words are in Words of the Champions 2027?
4,000 words across One Bee, Two Bee, and Three Bee difficulty tiers, including all 450 words from the School Study List.
Is Words of the Champions 2027 free?
Yes, for students at enrolled schools through their teachers. Anyone can also quiz on all 4,000 words completely free inside Scripps' official Word Club app.
What is the difference between One Bee, Two Bee, and Three Bee?
They are difficulty levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) within the booklet, not school grade tiers. Any regional bee round can draw from all three tiers.