When the 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions (ToC) field was first announced, pundits expected a war of attrition. With heavyweights like 16-game champion Scott Riccardi in the mix, the “first-to-three” finals format seemed destined to go the distance.
Instead, Paolo Pasco provided a masterclass in efficiency, ending the series in a lightning-fast three-game blitz that concluded on February 4, 2026. Pasco’s victory is historic: he is the first player in ToC history to win the finals in a clean 3-0 sweep.
How Paolo Pasco Won the 2026 ToC: A Three-Game Sweep Strategy
While the ToC’s “first-to-three” format can often drag on for a week, Pasco shut the door early. By the time the final scores were tallied on Wednesday, Pasco hadn’t just won; he had fundamentally demoralized a field of elite challengers.
His path to the $250,000 wasn’t just about the finals. He survived a grueling semi-final match against the season’s top heavyweights, where a late-game surge proved he was the favorite to win it all. Rather than playing conservatively, Pasco leaned into a high-risk, high-reward strategy:
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Daily Double Hunting: He hunted for Daily Doubles with the precision of a predator.
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The Runaway Strategy: He ensured that by the time the theme music for Final Jeopardy! played, his opponents were often mathematically eliminated.
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Pressure Play: By treating final clues as victory laps rather than high-stakes gambles, he kept the psychological edge.
The Crossword Connection: Why Paolo Pasco’s NYT Background Built a Champion
What separates a great Jeopardy! player from a legendary one? For Pasco, the answer lies in the architecture of the New York Times Crossword. As a professional crossword constructor, Pasco’s brain is wired to find connections in seconds, particularly when clues involve lateral thinking or linguistic puns.
While many contestants struggle with “Before & After” or “Rhyme Time,” Pasco thrives. In Game 2, his ability to instantly parse a “What a Word!” clue allowed him to keep control of the board for ten consecutive selections. Host Ken Jennings, no stranger to dominant streaks, noted that Pasco moves through categories like he’s filling in a grid—with speed, intent, and zero wasted motion.
Editor’s Note: Pasco’s win mirrors the rise of “puzzle-first” players seen in recent years on the J! Archive, where data shows a high correlation between word-play proficiency and buzzer speed.
2026 Tournament of Champions Results: Prize Money and Final Standings
The financial outcome of the tournament was a life-changing event for the three finalists. Despite the 3-0 sweep, both Riccardi and Fisher were praised for their high-level play throughout the quarterfinals and semifinals.
| Contestant | Rank | Total Winnings | Qualification |
| Paolo Pasco | Grand Champion | $250,000 | Jeopardy! Masters 2026 |
| Scott Riccardi | Runner-up | $75,000 | ToC Finalist |
| TJ Fisher | 2nd Runner-up | $75,000 | ToC Finalist |
Note: Pasco’s final wager in Game 3 was a sentimental $143, a coded “I Love You” (1 letter, 4 letters, 3 letters) to his fellow competitors.
What’s Next for Paolo Pasco? Qualifying for the 2026 Jeopardy! Masters
The win grants Pasco an automatic seat in the upcoming Jeopardy! Masters tournament. He joins an elite fraternity of players who have turned the game into a primetime sports-level event.
Analysts at Jeopardy.com are already looking forward to his matchup against recent titans like Victoria Groce and Yogesh Raut. His “internet-coded” humor and Harvard-trained logic (Class of ’22) have made him a fan favorite among Gen Z viewers, promising high ratings for the spring Masters cycle.
Paolo Pasco: The Gen Z Champion and Future of Jeopardy! Masters
Unlike some previous champions who relied on pure rote memorization, Paolo Pasco’s “vibe”—a mix of high-level Harvard Computer Science logic and genuine fan-boy excitement—has redefined what a modern champion looks like. As the first Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions winner born in the 2000s, Pasco has officially become the face of Gen Z trivia.
This resonance with younger audiences transformed the 25-year-old from a niche puzzle icon into a mainstream personality. During his victory interview, he stayed true to his quirky roots, hinting that his $250,000 grand prize might fund a treadmill-based music video homage to the band OK Go. With his seat now secured for the 2026 Jeopardy! Masters, fans are eager to see if his aggressive crossword-style strategy can take down veteran titans like Victoria Groce and Yogesh Raut.
Fast Facts: The February 4 Jeopardy! Finale at a Glance
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Final Jeopardy! Category: Island Names
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The Clue: “This archipelago got its name in 1493 in honor of St. Ursula & her followers.”
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Correct Response: What are the Virgin Islands?
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Result: All three finalists missed the clue, but Pasco’s massive lead secured the win regardless.
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Winning Total: $33,057 (Game 3)