How to Host a Jeopardy Game for a Company Event
By Steve Dennett · Last updated on January 5, 2026
Hosting a Jeopardy game is a simple way to add energy and structure to a company event without turning it into an awkward icebreaker.
Whether it’s a team offsite, holiday party, onboarding session, or conference breakout, a Jeopardy game works because it’s familiar, competitive, and easy to follow. The key is running it like a live experience, not a slideshow.
Quick answer: A successful company Jeopardy game needs clear teams, simple rules, a confident host, and a fast-moving format. Keep setup minimal, explain rules once, and focus on pacing over perfection.
When a Jeopardy game works best at work
A Jeopardy game is especially effective for:
- Team-building events
- Company offsites and retreats
- Holiday parties
- New hire onboarding
- Conference sessions or breakouts
- Remote or hybrid team events
They work because everyone already understands the format. You’re not teaching a new game, just facilitating it.
Step 1: Decide the format (teams over individuals)
For company events, teams almost always work better than individuals.
Recommended setup:
- 2–5 teams
- 3–6 people per team
- One spokesperson per question
Teams reduce pressure, keep quieter people involved, and prevent the game from being dominated by one person.
Step 2: Choose the right categories
Good company Jeopardy categories are:
- Broad (no niche expertise required)
- Lightly competitive
- Easy to understand at a glance
Examples:
- General Knowledge
- Pop Culture
- Company Trivia
- Guess the Year
- Tech & Trends
- Fun Facts
Avoid categories that feel like:
- tests
- training exams
- inside jokes only a few people understand
Step 3: Keep the rules simple
Explain the rules once, briefly, before the game starts.
A simple rule set:
- Teams choose a category and value
- First team to buzz in gets to answer
- Correct answers earn points
- Incorrect answers open the question to other teams
- Highest score at the end wins
If people need reminders mid-game, the rules are probably too complex.
Step 4: Focus on pacing, not perfection
The biggest mistake in a company Jeopardy game is letting things drag.
To keep the energy up:
- Move on quickly after each question
- Don’t debate answers for too long
- Skip a question if it’s not landing
- Keep the game under 30–40 minutes
It’s better to end early with momentum than overstay your welcome.
Step 5: Make buzzing fair and visible
Buzzing is what makes Jeopardy feel like Jeopardy.
For company events:
- Avoid hand-raising if possible
- Make it clear who buzzed first
- Lock out other teams after a buzz
This prevents confusion, arguments, and awkward pauses.
Step 6: Pick someone to host (and let them host)
A Jeopardy game needs a host who:
- reads clues clearly
- keeps things moving
- isn’t afraid to make quick calls
The host should not be:
- playing on a team
- apologizing for every decision
- over-explaining
Confidence matters more than accuracy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Overloading the game with rules
- Using overly difficult questions
- Letting one person dominate play
- Running too long
- Treating it like a presentation instead of a game
If people are laughing and engaged, you’re doing it right.
Making hosting easier with Buzzinga
If you want to run a Jeopardy game without juggling slides, spreadsheets, and manual scoring, a dedicated hosting tool can simplify the experience.
Buzzinga lets hosts run a Jeopardy game from a single screen (or a separate host screen), with built-in scoring, live buzzers using phones, and simple team management. It’s designed for live company events, offsites, and team-building sessions where pacing and clarity matter.
You can focus on pacing and audience energy, while scoring, buzz-in order, resets, and turn tracking are handled automatically.
Final thoughts
A Jeopardy game works best at company events when it feels like a shared experience, not a training exercise.
Keep it simple, move quickly, and focus on participation over polish. If the room is engaged and the pace stays high, the game will do the rest.