The first quiz of 2026 went to Space Cadets. In second place were Bow Barkers, the reigning Christmas champions, who were perhaps still digesting.

It was the Cadets’ third win and their first since June 2025. A good way to start the year.

By the numbers

Space Cadets first appeared on the scoreboard in July 2024 and have been regular visitors to the top of the table ever since.

3
wins for Space Cadets, out of 35 quizzes
1st
quiz of 2026, and a Cadets win
1–1
Cadets v Barkers when they finish first and second
8
South American capitals in the picture round

A flavour of the questions

January started with a look ahead at the year: where the big events of 2026 would be held. There was also an alphabet round of films, a Same Year round, and a cars round. The picture round asked for the country and capital of eight South American nations.

  • 2026In November, what will reach one light day’s distance from Earth, having been launched in 1977?
    Answer: Voyager 1
  • Alphabet round: filmsWhich 1994 film dramatised the scandal around the US TV show Twenty-One?
    Answer: Quiz Show
  • General knowledgeThe All England Club started out playing which sport?
    Answer: Croquet
  • General knowledgeWhat’s the highest two-dart checkout in darts?
    Answer: 110
  • General knowledgeWho were the last workers in Britain legally allowed to smoke at their desks?
    Answer: MPs in the House of Commons
  • Same yearThe Torrey Canyon, Puppet on a String and Celtic winning the European Cup. What year?
    Answer: 1967
  • CarsWhich European country’s plate carries the letter V?
    Answer: Vatican City

The wipeout round was all Michaels, finishing with one that not a lot of people know.

The music round: opera

Name the composer and the opera. Nine operatic favourites and one cheeky stowaway at the end. The answer sheet also notes that Handel’s Messiah is an oratorio, not an opera. Points were awarded anyway, in the spirit of the evening.

  • Die Walküre (Ride of the Valkyries)Wagner
  • The Magic Flute (Queen of the Night)Mozart
  • The Barber of Seville (Largo al factotum)Rossini
  • La Traviata (Libiamo ne’ lieti calici)Verdi
  • Turandot (Nessun dorma)Puccini
  • Messiah (Hallelujah Chorus)Handel
  • Rigoletto (La donna è mobile)Verdi
  • Carmen (Toreador Song)Bizet
  • Orpheus in the Underworld (Can-can)Offenbach
  • Bohemian RhapsodyQueen

And finally

Next up was February, and Roger in fancy dress.

Every question from the night is in the questions archive, every winner is on the monthly winners board, and there are more photos in the gallery.