You have qualified for Regional Qualifiers? Congratulations! If you want to register for one of the Regional Qualifiers, please click here.
You want to know more? Just keep reading! To accommodate participants from around the world, Hippo organizes Regional Qualifiers across several locations, making it more convenient for students to attend. These regions are pre-established based on participant numbers and their geographical distribution in previous Hippo years.
Pre-set Regions
The regions for the qualifiers are as follows:
Mediterranean Countries (Europe & North America), Continental Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Far East, Africa, America, Oceania.
Locations and Dates for the 2026 Regional Qualifiers
EUROPE AND AFRICA
Jesolo Lido (Venice), Italy
Date: 17 - 20 May 2026
Participating Countries: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lituania, Moldavia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Nigeria, Niger, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.
Deadline: to be announced
GREATER MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA
Baku, Azerbaijan
Date: June 2026
Participating Countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Deadline: to be announced
ASIA - PACIFIC
Thailand
Date: July 2026
Participating Countries: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Deadline: to be announced
AMERICAS
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date: September 2026
Participating Countries: Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Deadline: to be announced
About Regional Qualifiers
The Hippo 2026 Regional Qualifiers are a unique opportunity for students to advance their English skills and experience international competition in person. They are designed for participants who performed exceptionally in the Preliminary Round but have not yet qualified for the World Finals. The event celebrates talent, effort, and the joy of learning in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Eligibility & Invitations
Qualifiers will be held in regions where enrolments reach at least 1,000 students, with a minimum of 50 participants per Hippo category. Students achieving at least 70% of the first-place points and ranking among the top 20% per category will be invited. Invited students’ names will be highlighted in yellow on the official Hippo ranking list. The number of participants per category and country is proportional to the number of candidates in the Preliminary Round.
Participation & Accommodation
A participation fee will be required to cover insurance, merchandise, activities, and exam materials.
In some cases, an all-inclusive package — covering both accommodation and participation fees — will be available through an exclusive service provider. Participants who book their accommodation through this provider will not need to pay the participation fee separately.
Participants and their accompanying teachers or parents are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Hippo will share recommended accommodation options, allowing participants to choose the best fit for their needs.
In some cases, an all-inclusive package — covering both accommodation and participation fees — will be available through an exclusive service provider. Participants who book their accommodation through this provider will not need to pay the participation fee separately.
Participants and their accompanying teachers or parents are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Hippo will share recommended accommodation options, allowing participants to choose the best fit for their needs.
What to Expect
During the three-day event, participants will:
Take the Hippo Test of English.
Join organized activities designed to inspire and connect students.
Receive special merchandising items upon arrival.
Engage with peers from around the world, fostering a global learning community
Take the Hippo Test of English.
Join organized activities designed to inspire and connect students.
Receive special merchandising items upon arrival.
Engage with peers from around the world, fostering a global learning community
Path to the World Finals
Winners of each category at the Regional Qualifiers will advance to the Hippo 2026 World Finals in Assisi, Italy. Here, students continue their journey of English language excellence while celebrating achievement and international friendship.
Why Join
Be part of a global community, challenge yourself, and create unforgettable memories. The Hippo Regional Qualifiers offer the perfect blend of competition, learning, and cultural exchange — an experience you will never forget!
