Here you can find more detailed descriptions of each of the events that will make up the 2026 OQL British Quiz Weekender.
Individual Subject Quizzes
There are three slots over the afternoon, each of which has three individual subject quizzes taking place simultaneously in different rooms. All attendees will select which quiz they wish to play in each slot.
The quizzes are written papers, each played individually. The paper will contain 75 questions, and each player will have 40 minutes to answer them. At the end of the time, answer sheets will be randomly swapped and marked to find the top 10 players in each, with the highest scorer winning a plaque to mark their achievement.
The top 10 will then play an Eliminator competition on stage in front of the other players, where they will be asked a question each in turn in reverse order of their finishing positions. Every player will be given two lives. If a player is unable to answer correctly, they will lose a life. If both lives are lost, that player is eliminated from the competition.
The top three players will be awarded medals. If all 50 questions are answered without 9 players being eliminated, then the player with the most lives remaining will win and if there is a ties on lives remaining then the tie will be broken by the scores on the written paper.
The names of the writers of each paper and a full breakdown of the question distribution for each individual subject will be made available prior to the event.
Pairs SpeedQuiz
This is a speed quiz that uses the SpeedQuizzing software. Players can organise their pairs in advance or that can be arranged on the night. Anyone who needs a pair at the event can just let the organisers know and we’ll assign you to someone else in the same position.
The quiz will consist of 100 questions using the SpeedQuizzing software. Players will need to download the app to do this and we suggest all players bring with them a fully charged smart phone or tablet on which to play the quiz. Only one player in each pair will be required to download the app.
You enter your answer on the app and receive points for every correct answer. You can also earn bonus points for being among the fastest to answer on each question, so you’ll have to manage the risk vs reward on each question.
The quiz will cover a full range of subjects.
Live VIII event
This is an individual written quiz consisting of 240 questions, 30 on each of the 8 OQL subjects all written by Aaron Linge. All players answer the same questions at the same time and will all have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the quiz. At the end of the quiz we’ll mark the answer sheets and then announce our overall winners as well as all of our subject champions.
This quiz forms part of the Live VIII series of OQL events across the year so players will earn ranking points depending on their final overall position and their position in each subject.
Regional Championships
Players will be placed in teams of 4 which are dependent on the regions you choose to represent. Full team lists will be announced shortly before the event.
The quiz itself is being written by Rob Hannah and will consist of 100 questions to be answered through conferring as a team with the highest scoring team being crowned our regional champions.
Oxfordshire Dons took the title in 2025, will your region triumph in 2026?
Saturday Night
In the International Suite we will have some exciting, informal quiz fun taking place under the guidance of your dedicated hosts, Ian, Bonni and Dave. There will be opportunities to win cash and prizes via your quizzing prowess. This is quite an informal event so you can pop in and out or if you prefer, you can head off out into Manchester or head to one of our side rooms to play board games or buzzer quizzes, or simply take some time to yourself.
Video Clips quiz
Aidan Linge is preparing a fully interactive multimedia quiz featuring 100 questions from all OQL subjects but all using video cips. This will be in teams (up to 6 players to a team) and teams can be organised on the morning of the event.
Teams will write their answers down and at the end of the quiz we will swap the sheets around and mark the quiz to see who our champion team are.
Connections Online Quiz League event
Those of you who’ve played in Connections Online Quiz League will be familiar with this format. The event is based on the BBC 2 show Only Connect where teams need to make connections and sequences.
All teams will tackle the same quiz at the same time, earning more points the sooner that they solve the answers. Teams will need a laptop or tablet to participate in this as we will be using the standard COQL platform but adapted for this event. Only one device required per team.
You can organise your team in advance or ad hoc teams can be made on the day. All teams must consist of a maximum of 3 players.
Pub Quiz
And finally, we close out the OQL Weekender once again with Lewis Jones’s Big Pub Quiz. LJ will be bringing his signature blend of chaos and charm via a mix of rounds (some of which may have come to him in dreams) designed to entertain and challenge in equal measure. Based on Saturday morning’s scores, OQL will organise teams of mixed ability, giving everyone a genuine chance to win and offering another opportunity to meet new people and flex your knowledge. Expect surprises, typos, a little bit of running, and lots of laughs.
Other social opportunities
Besides the quizzing fun there will be ample opportunities to socialise with your fellow quizzers. On Thursday afternoon we will organise a trip to a local escape room. On Friday morning there will be an organised 5 or 7 a-side football match. On Friday evening there will be a karaoke expedition. On Saturday morning quizzers can undertake a local ParkRun and throughout the weekend the bar will be open and there will be a buzzer quiz room and a board game room open 24 hours a day.