PRELIMINARY ROUND
The first step of the Hippo journey — your first test, right near home, maybe even in your own school! Also available online.
DATES
EUROPE & AFRICA: 20 & 21 March 2026
GREATER MIDDLE EAST & CENTRAL ASIA: 17 & 18 April 2026
ASIA-PACIFIC & AMERICAS: 8 & 9 May 2026
NATIONAL FINALS
Only the top 20% make it here — the best of the best competing in major cities across the country or online!
DATES
ITALY: 17 & 18 April 2026
EUROPE & AFRICA: 23, 24 & 25 April 2026
GREATER MIDDLE EAST & CENTRAL ASIA: 8 & 9 May 2026
ASIA-PACIFIC & AMERICAS: 29 & 30 May 2026
continental round -
qualifiers
If you didn’t pass the National Finals but still scored more than 70% of the top scorer’s result, you can participate in the Continental Round — an extra chance to reach the World Finals.
Learn MorePLAY-OFF QUALIFIERS
If you scored more than 50% of the top scorer’s result, you can participate in the Play-Off Qualifiers and still compete for a spot in the World Finals.
Learn More
WORLD FINALS
The World Finals bring together the top students from around the globe: those who qualified directly from the National Finals, the winners of the Continental Rounds, and the champions of the Play-Off Qualifiers. This is the ultimate stage of the Contest, where the best of the best compete for the world title.
DATE: 28 September - 1 October 2026
VENUE: Spoleto, Italy
PRELIMINARY ROUNDS
The first step of the Hippo journey - your first test, right near home, maybe even in your own school!
DATES
EUROPE & AFRICA
20 & 21 March 2026
GREATER MIDDLE EAST
& CENTRAL ASIA
17 & 18 April 2026
ASIA-PACIFIC & AMERICAS
8 & 9 May 2026
NATIONAL FINALS
Only the top 20% make it here - the best of the best competing in major cities across the country!
DATES
EUROPE & AFRICA
Italy: 17-18 April 2026
23, 24 & 25 April 2026
GREATER MIDDLE EAST
& CENTRAL ASIA
8 & 9 May 2026
ASIA-PACIFIC & AMERICAS
29 & 30 May 2026
If you didn’t pass the National Finals but still scored more than 70% of the top scorer’s result, you can participate in the Continental Round - The Qualifiers — an extra chance to reach the World Finals.
PLAY-OFF
If you scored more than 50% of the top scorer’s result, you can participate in the Play-Off Qualifiers and still compete for a spot in the World Finals.
WORLD FINALS
The World Finals bring together the top students from around the globe: those who qualified directly from the National Finals, the winners of the Continental Rounds, and the champions of the Play-Off Qualifiers. This is the ultimate stage of the Contest, where the best of the best compete for the world title.
DATE
12 - 15 October 2026
VENUE
Assisi, Italy
