The sports-themed spin-off ESPN Jeopardy! is returning for a second season, bringing a significant format shift that moves the competition from celebrity contestants to everyday sports fans. The renewal was officially announced by host Joe Buck on September 28, 2026, during the Monday Night Football broadcast.
While the inaugural season featured ESPN personalities and sports figures, the upcoming season is opening the podiums to the public. This transition marks a pivot from the “proof of concept” celebrity format to a traditional tournament style where civilian contestants will compete for a $300,000 grand prize. The first season, which premiered on July 31, 2026, concluded with ESPN sportswriter Jeremy Schaap taking the title. Unlike the first season, which directed its $500,000 top prize to charity, the second season’s prize is a personal cash award for the winner.
How to Audition for Season 2
Casting for the new season has already commenced, with producers looking for knowledgeable sports enthusiasts to fill the contestant pool. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old and residents of the United States or Canada. The selection process begins with the ESPN Jeopardy! Anytime Test, a digital qualifying exam available on the official Jeopardy! website.
The “Anytime Test” allows prospective contestants to record their scores at their convenience, testing their depth of knowledge across a wide range of sports categories, history, and statistics. Successful candidates from the testing phase may be invited to further rounds of auditions and interviews.
The series will continue to be a streaming-focused production, with new episodes scheduled to air across Disney+, Hulu, and the ESPN App. While Season 1 was primarily available via these digital platforms, the shift to civilian contestants and a substantial cash prize suggests a strategy aimed at deepening engagement with the core sports trivia audience.
Specific production dates and a premiere window for Season 2 have not yet been finalized, though the casting call indicates that filming preparation is currently underway.
