The International Economics Olympiad is an annual competition for high-school students in economics, finance, and business-case problem solving. The International Economics Olympiad Association runs the program, while approved sending organizations select national teams.
The most recent published edition took place in Shenzhen, China, from July 12 to 20, 2026, with NexGen Education Hub Limited as the local host. Up to five selected students per country or territory competed in economics and finance tests and an English-language business-case presentation. Participation is primarily in person, but the Executive Board may authorize an entire team to compete online after a reasoned request from its sending organization.
Benefits & funding
- IEO charges no participation fee, but the 2026 edition was self-funded for contestants and sending organizations because they were expected to cover airfare, visas, accommodation, and most meals.
- The 2026 host covered the venue, examinations, awards, merchandise, social and cultural activities with transport, a welcome dinner, a farewell party, and two lunches.
- In 2026, double-occupancy accommodation cost about USD 450–500 per person for the full stay; single occupancy cost USD 700–750. Other meals were estimated at USD 100–150 per person for the stay.
- Airport transfers to and from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport carried no additional charge after accommodation booking.
Eligibility
- Contestants must be younger than 20 on June 30 of the participation year; for 2026, they had to be born after June 30, 2006.
- Contestants must still have been working toward a high-school or equivalent diploma on December 1 of the preceding year.
- Students must qualify through the open national selection process and be chosen for their country’s or territory’s official team; IEO does not accept a direct individual application to the MainTrack.
- A contestant must be a citizen or resident of the represented country. International students with a student visa or similar residence permit may represent the country where they study.
- Each delegation may include no more than five contestants and one or two team leaders. The competition and submitted answers are in English.
- Online participation requires case-by-case Executive Board approval of a reasoned sending-organization request. It is limited to a first-time participating country or territory; verified force majeure preventing travel by at least two selected contestants or all team leaders; visa denial or documented political or diplomatic constraints causing the same travel barrier; or unexpected, documented financial hardship. An approved team must compete entirely online, and all members must sit proctored exams together in one room.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
High School
Age requirement
≤ 19 yrs
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Application process
- 1Check the official IEO participants list for the relevant country or territory and contact its national coordinator.
- 2Follow that organizer’s national-competition schedule and complete its selection process; contestant deadlines differ by country.
- 3If no national organizer is listed, contact IEO so it can identify a potential partner. An eligible legal entity may instead seek approval to run the selection process.
- 4The approved sending organization selects the team, submits the institutional IEO application, and later provides contestant and team-leader details. To seek online participation, it submits a reasoned request and supporting evidence to the Executive Board.
- 5Selected contestants follow the organizer’s travel, identity-document, visa, and event instructions.
Program timeline
October 31, 2025
Preliminary sending-organization application deadline for IEO 2026
Early-bird sending-organization application deadline
January 31, 2026
Late sending-organization application deadline
April 30, 2026
Team details and accommodation booking deadline
May 31, 2026
Arrivals and program start
July 12, 2026
Economics and finance tests
July 14, 2026
Business-case presentations
July 17, 2026
Closing ceremony
July 19, 2026
Departure and program end
July 20, 2026