Granite State Challenge Kicks Off 44th Season on New Hampshire PBS

Durham, NH (February 4, 2026) — The field is set for the 44th season of Granite State Challenge, New Hampshire PBS’ iconic academic quiz show celebrating the state’s brightest high school students. The first GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE game will premiere on Thursday, February 12 at 8:30 p.m. on New Hampshire PBS.

Thirty-four teams from schools across New Hampshire took a qualifying test in November 2025, all vying for one of 16 coveted spots in the televised tournament. Four additional teams earned a final chance to advance during two Wildcard games held Sunday, December 14, 2025—a day filled with close matches and high-stakes moments.

Both games delivered nail-biting finishes. In the first matchup, Fall Mountain Regional High School defeated Lin-Wood. In the second game, Mascoma Valley Regional High School prevailed over Conant, earning the final two places in Round One of the 2026 tournament.

“Four strong teams went head-to-head, and both games came down to the wire. It’s exactly the kind of competition that makes this show so exciting to watch,” said GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE host Jon Cannon.

Hosted by Bow High School teacher and longtime Granite State Challenge veteran Jon Cannon—he’s been a GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE coach, contestant and crew member—the series features top high school teams as they demonstrate teamwork, quick thinking and depth of knowledge across math, science, social studies, language arts, fine arts, pop culture and current events, along with questions about New Hampshire.

“We’ve got some new teams this season, and that’s always exciting,” Cannon said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what last year’s younger teams can do, watching our traditional powerhouses compete, and seeing an upstart come out of nowhere to make a real challenge. Every season, it’s great to get the gang back together and do something fun again.”

For Cannon, the appeal of the show goes far beyond competition. “If I wasn’t the host of Granite State Challenge, I would watch and play along at home,” he said. “As a teacher, seeing the best come out of students is what inspires me. And there’s a nostalgic piece too—it takes me back to when I was in high school. It’s hard to point to just one thing I love about this job.”

 The following schools will compete in the 2026 season of Granite State Challenge:

• Bedford High (Bedford)
• Bishop Brady High (Concord)
• Bishop Guertin High (Nashua)
• Bow High (Bow, Dunbarton)
• ConVal Regional High (Peterborough, Antrim, Bennington, Dublin, Francestown, Greenfield, Hancock, Sharon, Temple)
• Fall Mountain Regional High (Langdon, Acworth, Alstead, Charlestown, Walpole)
• Hopkinton High (Hopkinton)
• Mascoma Valley Regional High (Canaan, Grafton, Enfield, Orange, Dorchester)
• Merrimack High (Merrimack)
• Nashua High North (Nashua)
• Nashua High South (Nashua)
• Oyster River High (Durham, Lee, Madbury)
• Plymouth Regional High (Plymouth, Ashland, Holderness, Campton, Rumney, Wentworth, Ellsworth, Waterville Valley, Thornton)
• Profile High (Bethlehem, Easton, Franconia, Sugar Hill)
• Salem High (Salem)
• Souhegan High (Amherst, Mont Vernon)

Now entering its 44th season, Granite State Challenge continues to showcase academic excellence, school pride, and the enduring power of learning—a New Hampshire tradition that has inspired generations of students.

For some viewers, GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is a family tradition. Hooksett resident Pat McDermott has been attending tapings for a decade along with his son Daniel, who is a superfan, and sometimes his wife Barbara joins in.  “We’re coming to watch because it’s so much fun,” said Pat McDermott. “Believe it or not, we came here for the first time ten years ago.”

Catch the new season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE premiering on Thursday, February 12th at 8:30 p.m. on NHPBS. You can also steam it on the PBS App, the NHPBS YouTube channel, or online at nhpbs.org/gsc.

Test your knowledge with GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE online quizzes, and more at the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE web page, or try your hand at daily brain teasers on the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE Facebook page.

GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is funded by lead sponsor Unitil with additional funding from Safety Insurance and NEA New Hampshire.

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