JEOPARDY!’s biggest champs from up north have gathered for a joyous outing despite it all going south in the 2024 Tournament of Champions.

Juveria Zaheer held an intimate ToC watch party joined by fellow ousted ToCer Ray Lalonde and Jeopardy! Masters’ Mattea Roach.

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As Jeopardy! fans know the 2024 ToC has been sheer chaos, with brief winners and actors ousting the biggest names left and right.

But Juveria, defeated by a five-day champ in one of the quarterfinals’ many heartbreakers, got a major consolation prize.

She partied it up with 13-day champ Ray, who lost in the tournament’s biggest shocker to Celebrity Jeopardy!’s Ike Barenholtz, and the iconic Mattea.

The photos exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun show Juveria’s small gathering to watch her defeat in her hometown of Whitby, Ontario.

She sat at a booth at the local pub with Ray and Mattea by her side.

Mattea, 24, donned a chic denim shirt, flaunting their scorpion arm tattoo and their hands politely clasped.

Ray rocked a low-key grey sweater while Juveria slayed in a regal blue blouse.

Mattea can also relate to the sting of early defeat as they were defeated in the previous ToC in their first match by Andrew He.

‘DID NOT EXPECT RAY AND MATTEA!’

The snaps were shared by a Whitby, Ontario, resident who has become family friends with the Zaheers.

The attendee shared: “I was at a local pub for the viewing of Juveria’s episode last Thursday.

“Totally did not expect to see Ray and Mattea walk in.

“The place was jam-packed with a lot of Juveria’s family and friends. Very exciting. A good time was had by all!”

“There were many of us there that were lining up at Mattea’s and Ray’s table for a photo opportunity. They were both very humble and gracious and very approachable.”

Ray and Mattea reside in Toronto, just an hour away from Juveria. Juveria’s brother Omar Zaheer, who made it to the top six on Survivor Season 42, also attended the shindig.

“She is a lovely, caring person, and she probably found an opportunity to mingle with every person there.”

“They were all so kind and patient. I am sure they must get tired of everyone wanting pics wherever they go.”

Around 60 people attended the event, including proud family and friends.

As the Whitby resident added, “And at least one (me !!) very proud fan from Whitby.”

TOURNAMENT OF CHAOS

At long last, Jeopardy! fans are getting the strike-delayed 2024 Tournament of Champions, the game show’s most treasured tradition.

Now it’s finally back with an unprecedented 27 contestants (the largest playing field ever), having premiered on February 23.

But no one predicted an execution-style quarterfinal round with nearly every frontrunner and fan-favorite getting sent packing.

21-day champion and golden boy Cris Pannullo lost in a blowout to three-day champ Jared Watson.

Then, eight-win trans sensation Hannah Wilson lost on an oversized Daily Double bet to four-day winner David Sibley.

Comeback queen and fan-favorite Juveria Zaheer lost to five-day champ Luigi de Guzman.

Juveria became an unlikely “Cinderella Story at 41” by going from losing her initial game in 2023 to winning both the Second Chance and Champions Wildcard contests this season and hoards of fans.

Then, the only super-champion left, the gentlemanly Ray, lost to none other than Celebrity Jeopardy! winner Ike.

Fans on social media called Ike’s win “the craziest thing to ever happen in the history of Jeopardy!” even though it hurt to see Ray go.

Nine-day champ Ben Chan won the penultimate quarterfinal in a runaway and is the only substantial streaker in the semifinals.

On Wednesday, six-day champ and pro quizzer Troy Meyer became the last semifinalist in unstoppable form; the latter two were thankfully of the less upset-worthy fashion.

Even Ken Jennings called the quarterfinals the “most dramatic ever” at one point, as the top seeds dropped like flies.

And Matt Amodio joked on X: “Losing your #Jeopardy ToC debut from the first podium was cool when I started it, but now it’s just getting old…”

The previous ToC was won by its top seed, 40-time winner Amy Schneider.

But with semifinalist Yogesh Raut also being a pro quizzer (as he’s made everyone aware), this ToC seemingly won’t come down to the longest-reigning players from the previous season.

But instead it’s looking like a battle of the strongest quizzers outside of Jeopardy!.

WHAT ARE: THE SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS?

Here are the semifinalists who will compete starting tonight:

Thursday, March 7: Jared Watson (3 wins) faces Ben Chan (9 wins and Ike Barenholtz (Celebrity Jeopardy! winner).

Friday, March 8: Yogesh Raut (3 wins) faces David Sibley (4 wins) and Emily Sands (Wildcard winner).

Monday, March 11: Luigi de Guzman (3 wins) faces Brian Henegar (3 wins) and Troy (6 wins).

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The finals will begin on Tuesday, March 12, and conclude mid-March.

The first-to-three finals means the top three contestants could duke it out over three games or up to seven.

The champion earns $250,000, a championship belt, and an invite to the next Jeopardy! Masters in May with Mattea, reigning champ James Holzhauer, and Matt Amodio guaranteed slots.

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