Who Pays for Game Show Contestants’ Travel?

As a rule, game show contestants buy their own tickets and cover their own travel to the taping. This principle applies to most major TV programs, although some shows are exceptions, and the terms can vary noticeably depending on the format of a particular show.

A viewer named Barb submitted a question to the column

The story was prompted by a message from reader Barb, who asked whether the producers of “Wheel of Fortune” and other popular shows cover contestants’ flight costs. The question turned out to be so common that the WKYT editorial team decided to take a closer look at the behind-the-scenes finances of the game show industry.

Barb’s question is far from unique. According to several niche resources dedicated to game show television, the game shows genre is enjoying a new wave of popularity, and formats are becoming more and more diverse. Directories such as “Television games” categorize dozens of shows by type, from classic trivia to cash-prize competitions, and they make it clear just how broad the range of options has become for potential contestants. Some people are willing to travel to auditions from other cities and even other countries, which makes the question of travel costs even more relevant.

The industry’s golden rule: you pay your own way

Each show has its own internal policy, but the basic principle has remained unchanged for decades. In the vast majority of cases, getting to the studio is the contestant’s responsibility. Many contestants view these expenses as a kind of investment, hoping to recoup the cost of the trip with future winnings.

From “Wheel of Fortune” to “The Price Is Right”

The practices of specific shows confirm the general rule, although each case has its own logic.

– On “Wheel of Fortune,” after making it through auditions, contestants have to get to California on their own, paying for flights and lodging out of pocket.

– “Jeopardy!” follows a similar model, and it’s precisely this that from time to time sparks public debate about equal opportunity for contestants from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

– “The Price Is Right” works differently by design. Barb rightly assumed that it’s impossible to prepay contestants’ flights here, since players are picked straight from the studio audience. Potential contestants come to the taping as regular audience members, and no one knows in advance who will end up in the game.

What sources and former contestants say

A Good Housekeeping article confirmed that the “get there on your own” rule for “Wheel of Fortune” is systematic and isn’t an exception—it’s closer to an industry standard.

Former “Jeopardy!” contestant Ben Goldstein drew public attention in 2023 by publicly stating that the show would be accessible to a much wider range of people if producers covered travel and lodging costs. His comment highlighted a problem the industry tends to avoid discussing.

When the show does cover the costs

Not all programs are strict about costs when it comes to contestants. Families who appeared on “Family Feud” said their travel and lodging were fully paid for. Such exceptions are usually tied to the show’s format and its budgeting policy, not any broader industry trend.

Prize taxes can turn a win into a loss

One separate financial nuance many people forget: winners are required to pay taxes on any prizes they receive. If you add up the cost of flights, a hotel, and tax liability, appearing on a show can theoretically add up to a significant amount, even with a strong performance.

Why people still pack their bags

Despite all the associated expenses, people keep lining up to apply. For most contestants, a trip to a taping remains a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can’t be measured in dollars and cents. The chance to step in front of the cameras on an iconic show, feel the thrill of the game, and bring home lasting memories is worth more to many people than any guaranteed prize.