United States Geography Championships — Varsity & Junior Varsity
Catalog organization: International Academic Competitions
Compiled by: ExtracurricularHub Editorial Team — editorial policy
Last updated
What Is United States Geography Championships?
USGC's Varsity/Junior Varsity competition is an individual, two-stage geography exam—not a buzzer competition at nationals. Students first qualify through a 50-question National Qualifying Exam or a National Geography Bee regional tournament. Qualifiers then attend nationals in person for a 75-minute written-response section worth 75% and a 45-minute multiple-choice section worth 25%, covering physical, human, economic, cultural, environmental and analytical geography.
The completed 2025-26 cycle charged $20 per qualifying-exam version, $50 for the regional bee route, and $115 for USGC nationals. Nationals were April 24, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Divisions were determined by birth date rather than school grade, and younger students could compete in Junior Varsity. The top four Varsity students were invited to represent Team USA at the International Geography Olympiad. The next cycle's dates, cutoff birth date and fees are not yet posted.
United States Geography Championships Key Facts: Cost, Deadline, and Eligibility
| Cost | $115 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid |
| Eligibility | Up to grade 12 |
| Application deadline | Dates not announced |
| Listing last updated | August 30, 2026 |
Program details shown here reflect the current catalog record.
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How to Apply to United States Geography Championships
Open the application for United States Geography Championships — Varsity & Junior Varsity