Exploring the legendary Jell-O shots tradition of the College World Series
Homeruns are one form of excitement at the College Baseball World Series, but Jell-O shots take it to a whole new level when it comes to the experience in Omaha each year. Since 2019, Rocco’s Pizza & Cantina restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska has been serving up Jell-O shots to patrons. Rocco’s is a restaurant bar which sits right next to Charles Schwab field, the site of the CWS.
How does the Jell-O shot challenge work?
Every time a fan of a team orders a Jell-O shot, they receive a tally on the scoreboard with all eight teams the make the CWS for that year represented.
The wolf pack is back! Welcome @NCStateBaseball you made it a true ACC vs SEC challenge. Who's gonna pull their weight? #roadtoroccos pic.twitter.com/VbbeZQ39IL
— CWS Jello Shot Challenge (@CWSShotBoard) June 11, 2024
Each year, Rocco’s donates $1 of each $5 shot to the on campus food banks of each team participating in the CWS. Last year, $142,464 in donations were made.
$142,464 in donations from #RoccosOmaha! And our friends @getjevo have more on the way! The checks have been sent to the on campus food banks of the participating teams, as well as the Food Bank for the Heartland here in Omaha. It's the fans that make this thing go, thank y'all! pic.twitter.com/nbuk4DG4yh
— CWS Jello Shot Challenge (@CWSShotBoard) July 18, 2023
The competition has become so popular that the restaurant just built a 16-foot bar specifically for the week or the Jell-O shot challenge.
Which team holds the Jell-O shot challenge record?
Last year, the LSU Tigers won the Jell-O shot challenge and set the record with 68,888 shots purchased during the CWS.
Who team is in the lead for the 2024 Jell-O shot challenge?
As of 12:06 PM CST today, the North Carolina Tar Heels have a slight lead of the Tennessee Volunteers with 506 shots ordered so far.
And we are just starting out! The next update will 5pm. You have until then to prove your fandom by buying and consuming cups of gelatin mixed with some alcohol. Let's gooooo! #RoadtoRoccos pic.twitter.com/rFkniQaLro
— CWS Jello Shot Challenge (@CWSShotBoard) June 14, 2024
The CWS Jell-O shot board X account (Formerly known as Twitter) account updates with tweets a few times each day.
The Jell-O shot challenge has become so popular across the country that the USA Today did a playful article by Christian D’Andrea where they gave betting odds on which team would win the Jell-O shot challenge. They factored in not only team support, but how long the team would last in Omaha.
It is safe to say that this tradition that brings comradery is here to stay. And it is “play ball” for 2024.