Warning: This page contains spoilers for the January 9, 2026, game of Jeopardy! — please do not scroll down if you wish to avoid being spoiled. Please note that the game airs as early as noon Eastern in some U.S. television markets.
Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category Notable Americans) for Friday, January 9, 2026 (Season 42, Game 90):
Known in Mexican history as the sale of the Mesilla Valley, the 30,000 square mile deal was negotiated by this U.S. diplomat
(correct response beneath the contestants)
Today’s Jeopardy! contestants:
Ian Morrison, an airline ramp agent originally from Aurora, Colorado
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Ryan Sharpe, a recent graduate from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
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James Corson, a nuclear engineer from Frederick, Maryland
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Andy’s Pregame Thoughts:
Our last set of quarterfinalists in this Champions Wildcard event are James Corson, Ryan Sharpe, and Ian Morrison. James was a 2-time champion who cleared the $70,000 mark, while Ian won 1 game before having his run ended by Paolo Pasco. Meanwhile, Ryan Sharpe made his way through Week 3 of Second Chance to make it into this field.
Meanwhile, we already know that 6 of the 9 spots in the semifinals have been spoken for—Stella Trout, Michelle Tsai, Harvey Silikovitz, and Jonathan Hugendubler won their games earlier this week, while Vickie Talvola and Cameron Berry have the first two wild card spots and cannot fall out of contention. Things could get very interesting for the last two wild card spots: Bill McKinney qualifies unless all three players finish Final Jeopardy with more than $12,200, while Dave Bond needs both non-winners to finish with less than $10,000 in order to qualify.
(Content continues below)
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Correct response: Who is James Gadsden?
More information about Final Jeopardy:
(The following write-up is original content and is copyright 2026 The Jeopardy! Fan. It may not be copied without linked attribution back to this page.)
In the early 1850s, the Mexican government was short of cash, and the Americans were in search of an easier route to build a railroad (businessmen in the South wanted a railroad to the Pacific coast). Thus, James Gadsden, U.S. Minister to Mexico, set out to acquire territory along the U.S.-Mexico border, and did so by 1853 (the Treaty of Mesilla was ratified by both countries in 1854).
The United States paid $10 million for the land; interestingly, this railroad was not built until after the Civil War, as opposition to slavery prevented there being enough federal interest in providing funding to a Southern railroad. Instead, the first transcontinental railroad was built between Council Bluffs, Iowa and San Francisco; the Southern Pacific Railroad was not completed until much later.
Truth be told, today’s Final Jeopardy feels very straightforward for those with good knowledge of U.S. history; we shall see how it plays.
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Game Recap:
Ryan Sharpe found both Daily Doubles in Double Jeopardy in amongst his 22 correct in the main game to cruise to a runaway.
Final Jeopardy was crucial for Ian and James—Ian’s correct response put him through to the semis, while James’s misspelling changed the pronunciation, leading to an incorrect response and his elimination.
Scores going into Final:
Ryan $24,222
James $11,000
Ian $8,800
Tonight’s results:
Ian $8,800 + $8,800 = $17,600 (Who is Gadsden?)
James $11,000 – $11,000 = $0 (Who is Gasden Gadsen?)
Ryan $24,222 + $1,729 = $25,951 (Who was Gadsden) (Semi-Finalist)
Wild Card standings:
Monday: Stella Trout, $26,401
Tuesday: Michelle Tsai, $14,398
Wednesday: Harvey Silikovitz, $12,998
Thursday: Jonathan Hugendubler, $18,400
Friday: Ryan Sharpe, $25,951
1. Ian Morrison, $17,600
2. Vickie Talvola, $13,600
3. Cameron Berry, $12,599
4. Bill McKinney, $12,200
5. Dave Bond, $10,000
6. Pete Johnston, $3,199
7. Dargan Ware, $2,200
8. Geoff Barnes, $800
9. James Corson, $0 ($11,000)
10. Jason Singer, $0 ($3,900)
Andy’s Thoughts:
- So why wouldn’t the judges just accept James’s spelling, because, as many detractors would say, “we knew who he was talking about?” Because every time the judges rule too leniently for one player, it ends up disadvantaging another. So, had they taken James’s spelling, it would have disadvantaged Bill McKinney, the last wild card. The spelling rules as they currently are are meant to not differentiate between someone learning by hearing or by reading—and the show wouldn’t have accepted his response if it was pronounced, so they wouldn’t take it when written.
- Today’s J!6 clues can be found at the monthly archive.
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