2026 SVdP Book Bowl 

Friday, January 23, 2026

REGISTRATION

Use the registration link in the left navigation page to access and complete the online registration form beginning September 18.  Registrations are due by 3:30pm on December 10, 2025.  As noted on the registration form, the December 10 deadline is to confirm school and team participation; team rosters will be requested from schools at a later date.

TEAM CHECK IN

Schools are asked to arrive at SVdP no earlier than 3:45pm on the day of competition (will allow for our lot to clear after dismissal).  Upon arrival, teams should report to Hanneman Hall on the lower level of the school to check in.  SVdP staff will direct teams as needed.

Competition will begin at 4:15pm.  Check in no later than 4:00 will allow for responding to any questions that may come up.

BRACKETS AND COMPETITION FLOW

Using the Brackets link at left will let coaches and competitors know what their first match is and the room assignment for that and subsequent matches.  The Competition Map link at left should be of assistance in finding rooms.  The Brackets link will be made active once registrations are received and the total number of teams competing is known.

The Pool A and Pool B brackets will also let teams chart their progress through competition as matches are won or lost.  Coaches are encouraged to make use of a printed copy of the applicable brackets to track team progress during competition.

At the end of each match, Book Bowl workers will let teams know what their next match assignment is.  Teams will need to use bracket listings to verify what round that match falls in and the room assignment for the match.

To the extent possible, an online copy of the brackets will be updated during competition, but teams may find it more convenient to keep track of their own progress.

TEAM COMPOSITION

Each team may consist of four members for any match and up to two alternates.  A team may have any of its four to six players compete in any round.

We ask that you select your team spokesperson prior to the start of competition; that spokesperson must remain the same for each round of competition (so that individual would not rotate out if you have more than four team members). The spokesperson will give all answers for his/her team.

MATCH MECHANICS

Time for each match (20 minutes for Rounds 1-4; 15 minutes for Rounds 5-10) will be kept by SVdP staff conducting the matches.  A “passing” period will be in place between each round to ensure that all teams have adequate time to identify and make it to their next scheduled match.

An adult coach or sponsor must be in the rooms being used by participating schools for competition whenever matches are being held.

Each team will compete in at least two rounds during pool play. Once a team has two losses, that team’s competition run has ended.

Matches in the consolation portion of the bracket (with the loser of those matches eliminated from competition) must be won by two points.  All other matches, including the championship match, need be won by only one point.

Winners of Pool A and Pool B will advance to a single-elimination championship match to determine the competition winner and runner-up.  Certificates will be provided to all participants with awards presented to the top two teams.

Spectators are welcome but will need to adhere to expectations announced at the start of each match.  Spectators will not be allowed into competition rooms once matches have begun.

Coaches are prohibited from making any comments or providing assistance of any sort during  matches.  

The Sample Questions link at left may be useful for coaches, participants, or schools new to Book Bowl in terms of becoming more familiar with the sorts of questions used for matches.

MATCHES ENDING IN A TIE

If, at the end of any match, teams are tied, tiebreaker methods will be used to determine the match winner.  Using the Tiebreaker Procedures link at left will let coaches, participants, and others know the tiebreaker procedures that will be followed.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Schools will have assigned tables in Hanneman Hall that they may use as a gathering spot or for eating when not competing.  Teams will need to bring their own food and drink; we ask that food items brought be of a "non-messy" variety.  No crockpots or other appliances are allowed.  Teams will be expected to clean up their assigned tables before departing.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact contest director Chris Kaiser via email (kaiserc@svdpomaha.org) or phone (402-492-2111).