Dubai to host landmark 50th anniversary edition of the ICPC International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals in 2026

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, the emirate will host the 50th edition of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals from 15-20 November 2026. The event highlights Dubai’s role as a global hub for digital innovation and a leading destination for the world’s top programming talent, reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to developing advanced digital skills among future generations.

The announcement was made during a press conference held today at Dubai Chambers’ headquarters in the presence of Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Dr. William B. Poucher, President, CEO, and Board Chair of the ICPC Foundation.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, will serve as the official host of the 50th ICPC World Finals. Considered the largest of its kind worldwide, the competition spans the globe, with annual participation of 12,000 coaches serving 63,000 team members representing 3,350 universities located in 93 countries on six continents. It features a series of regional contests culminating in eight ICPC Region Championships that advance to the ICPC World Finals, bringing together the world’s elite university teams of mission-critical problem solvers to Dubai to compete in the 2026 ICPC World Championship, supported by long-term ICPC sponsors Huawei, JetBrains, Google, OpenAI, Jane Street, Jump Trading, Citadel, Revolut, Alber Blanc and many more.

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, emphasised that developing a future-ready digital ecosystem, supported by forward-looking policies, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and focused on building highly skilled human capital, is central to the long-term vision of the UAE and Dubai. Al Olama noted that this approach is key to nurturing a new generation of digital leaders capable of delivering technology solutions with global impact, while accelerating the transition of knowledge from academia into real-world applications.

His Excellency also stated that hosting the 50th edition of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals underscores Dubai’s standing as a global technology hub and a leading destination for digital talent and innovators from around the world. The event represents a strategic, long-term investment in the knowledge economy, contributing to faster knowledge exchange, supporting the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness among the world’s most advanced and influential digital economies.

The ICPC World Finals mark the culmination of the global season, bringing together the top student teams from around the world to compete for the championship title. Over the course of five days, participants will take part in practical challenges and a series of activities that lead up to the final five-hour competition.

During the press conference, Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented: “Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s partnership with ICPC comes as part of our commitment to building advanced digital skills and strengthening the link between academia and industry. The competition brings the world’s best student talent together with leading technology partners, creating a platform for collaboration, learning, and future career pathways. Welcoming this landmark event to Dubai further advances the chamber’s drive to develop a future-focused, innovation-driven environment that enables talent and ideas to thrive.”

Dr. William B. Poucher, President, CEO, and Board Chair of the ICPC Foundation, stated: “This is our Golden Anniversary, the 50th Annual ICPC World Finals, bringing the next generation of mission-critical talent to join ICPC alumni and their colleagues to power the next 50 years of the global Digital Renaissance. They are the folks who will build systems that benefit their neighbours and their communities, together. I would like to thank Dubai and industry leadership for bringing them together and focusing the attention of the world on enabling and empowering those who can build platforms of prosperity for their neighbours, all 8 billion cousins and their kids.”

Over 130 elite teams will qualify for this stage from among 63,000 students representing more than 3,350 universities from 93 countries, including universities from the United Arab Emirates. Each team is made up of three participants and will tackle a set of complex coding challenges that require advanced algorithmic thinking and rapid problem-solving, with the goal of solving as many as possible in the shortest time. It is designed to test programming intelligence, innovation, teamwork, and the ability to perform under significant pressure.

Since its launch in 1970, the ICPC International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) has established itself as one of the world’s most influential talent pipelines for the technology sector. Its alumni network now includes more than 500,000 mission-critical developers, engineers, and technology leaders, globally. ICPC graduates are among the most sought-after professionals in the tech industry, with many finalists going on to hold prominent positions in leading technology companies and research institutions.

The event will provide an inspiring platform for students in the UAE and the wider region, encouraging them to pursue computer science and motivating local universities to expand their participation in national and regional competitions. The ICPC World Finals will also create valuable opportunities for companies to connect with emerging talent and build long-term partnerships between global technology sponsors, universities, and Dubai’s innovation ecosystem. This aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top three economic cities and strengthen its role as a global centre for investment, talent, and innovation.