We are proud to announce that with the help of our Title Sponsor, Nordson Corporation, The Nordson Academic Challenge is back for the 2026 season!
Episodes will air on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on News 5 beginning on Jan. 3, 2026. View a full air date schedule of episodes and results from each competition as they air below — please note that air dates are subject to change.
You can watch full episodes as they air on News 5 here. They will also be available on the Academic Challenge page on our website, and you can also catch the show on Roku, Amazon Fire and other streaming devices.
Academic Challenge 2026 Episode Air Date Schedule and Results:
(Scores from each episode will be added as they air. Winning teams will be marked in bold.)
| Air Date | Teams |
| 1/10/26 | Avon Lake 490 — Geneva 300 — Lawrence 365 |
| 1/17/26 | Firelands 430 — Kirtland 595 — Streetsboro 370 |
| 1/24/26 | New Philadelphia 685 — Perkins 320 — Pymatuning Valley 240 |
| 1/31/26 | Norwayne 410 — Riverside 270 — Sandy Valley 290 |
| 2/7/26 | Cardinal 385 — Indian Valley 370 — Sandusky 420 |
| 2/14/26 | Bedford 260 — Highland 785 — Lutheran West 350 |
| 2/21/26 | Mayfield 300 — St. Joseph Academy 470 — Twinsburg 600 |
| 3/7/26 | Brecksville-Broadview Heights 845 — Garfield Heights 260 — Holy Name 485 |
| 3/14/26 | Brush 420 — Midview 370 — Revere 800 |
| 3/21/26 | Avon 380 — Beachwood 385 — Walsh Jesuit 665 |
| 3/28/26 | Valley Forge 470— Keystone 340 — St. Edward 730 |
| 4/4/26 | Brookside 525 — Manchester 485 — Shaker 330 |
| 4/11/26 | Brunswick 560 — Olmsted Falls 300 — Villa Angela-St. Joseph 320 |
| 4/18/26 | Elyria Catholic 615 — Rittman 380 — Open Door Christian Academy 430 |
| 4/25/26 | Berea-Midpark 475 — Kenston 775 — Rootstown 310 |
| 5/2/26 | Conneaut 220 — Norwalk 535 — St. Mary Central 460 |
| 5/9/26 | Black River 595 — Strasburg-Franklin 380 — St. John 300 |
| 5/16/26 | Lake 440 — Monroeville 200 — North Olmsted 525 |
| 5/23/26 | Rocky River 480 — Triway 495 — West Geauga 380 |
| 5/30/26 | Louisville — Vermilion — Western Reserve Academy |
| 6/6/26 | Academic Challenge Championship |
