Maria Thompson clinched the final spot in the 2026 Jeopardy! Wildcard Tournament.

The final spot in the Jeopardy! Wildcard Tournament for 2026 was claimed by contestant Maria Thompson, who secured victory in the last qualifying match. The win earned her a place in the upcoming tournament, which will feature top performers from the season’s regular episodes. Thompson, a former teacher from Ohio, outperformed two other finalists in a tense final round. The tournament is set to begin later this month, with the winner advancing to the next stage of competition.