ESPN Jeopardy! is coming back for a second season on Hulu and Disney+, but the game show is making a major change at the contestant podiums.
Everyday sports fans can now apply to compete on the new season, replacing the mix of celebrities and ESPN talent featured in the first installment. The returning series will put those fans against one another for a $300,000 prize.
Joe Buck, the show’s host, announced the renewal on Monday Night Football as the Philadelphia Eagles prepared to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
A New Contestant Pool for Season 2
The pivot marks a clear departure from the format used during the show’s first season, which premiered on Hulu and Disney+ in July. That tournament-style competition included stars such as Jon Hamm, Hannah Storm, Manti Te’o and Adam Pally.
Rather than playing for a personal prize, the celebrities and ESPN figures competed for $500,000 to benefit the charity of their choice. Season 2 will shift the focus to civilian sports fans and offer a $300,000 prize.
In addition to its presence on Hulu and Disney+, the series is available through the ESPN app.
ESPN Jeopardy! is produced by Sony Pictures Television. Michael Davies, who serves as an executive producer on the main Jeopardy! series, is also executive producer of the sports-centered edition.
The show is filmed on the Alex Trebek Stage, the official name of Stage 10 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
The Expanding Jeopardy! Lineup
The ESPN version joins a long list of spinoffs from the classic game show. Sports Jeopardy! previously ran for three seasons and more than 100 episodes on Crackle, while Rock & Roll Jeopardy! aired for four seasons on VH1.
More recent additions have included Celebrity Jeopardy! and Pop Culture Jeopardy!. The latter is hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost and moved from Amazon to Netflix for its second season, which debuted in May. A digital edition has also appeared on YouTube.
What Happens Next?
With applications now open, ESPN Jeopardy! will move away from its inaugural celebrity tournament and build its second season around members of the sports-loving public. Those selected will compete for the newly announced $300,000 prize when the series returns to Hulu and Disney+.