Tashkent will welcome the world’s brightest young programmers as it hosts the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026) from August 9 to 16, 2026. It will be the first time in the competition’s history that Uzbekistan hosts the prestigious event.
According to the organizers, 386 students from more than 97 countries will compete in the Olympiad. Including team leaders, jury members, and guests, the total number of participants is expected to exceed 900.
Established in 1989, the International Olympiad in Informatics is one of the world’s most prestigious programming competitions for secondary school students. Every year, it brings together the best young algorithmic problem-solvers, who compete by solving complex programming challenges under strict time constraints.
Hosting IOI 2026 marks an important milestone for Uzbekistan’s growing digital ecosystem. Beyond being an international academic competition, the event offers the country an opportunity to showcase its IT infrastructure, investments in digital education, and commitment to developing young tech talent on a global stage.
The Olympiad is organized by the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, the Center for Science Olympiads, and other partner organizations.
In recent years, Uzbekistan has steadily improved its performance at international informatics competitions. By hosting IOI 2026, the country is taking another significant step—from competing on the global stage to becoming the venue where the world’s top young programmers come together.
