IEEEXtreme 20.0 Global Programming Competition 2026
By IEEE
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Quick Answer
IEEE's 24-hour global programming competition for IEEE student members, on 31 October 2026 (5:30 AM IST start). Teams of 1 to 3 register on IEEE vTools until 26 October, 5:29 AM IST.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- IEEE
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 26 October 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by IEEE. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
IEEEXtreme 20.0 runs for 24 hours from 5:30 AM IST on 31 October 2026 to 5:30 AM IST on 1 November 2026 (00:00 to 23:59:59 UTC on 31 October). Team registration is open until 5:29 AM IST on 26 October 2026 (the official deadline, extended to 25 October 23:59:59 UTC). Only IEEE Student and Graduate Student members can enter, in teams of 1 to 3, each team monitored by a proctor who is a higher-grade IEEE member.
Who can enter Every team member must be an IEEE Student or Graduate Student member, and IEEE membership numbers are checked at registration. A team has 1 to 3 members, with at most 2 Graduate Student members. Teams can be linked to an IEEE Student Branch but do not have to be, and a college can send several teams. If you are not an IEEE member yet, you need to join IEEE as a student before you can register.
Proctor Each team needs a proctor: an IEEE member above Student grade, such as a Student Branch Counselor, a faculty member who is an IEEE member, or an IEEE Young Professional. Proctors can monitor teams in person or online (Google Meet, Zoom, WebEx). A team must have a confirmed Proctor of Record to be ranked or to receive prizes and certificates.
Format Teams solve a set of programming tasks over 24 hours on the CS Academy platform, in any supported language. Each task has several test cases and partial credit is given. A fully solved task earns 30 points plus up to 70 more depending on how few teams solved it. Time only breaks ties. New for 20.0: game-type tasks where teams' programs play against bots (AI use allowed), and locked-workspace tasks where AI use is banned and code must be written inside the official workspace. Teams can upload their own code library of up to 100 KB until 5:29 AM IST on 30 October 2026 (29 October, 23:59 UTC).
Prizes
- 1st place: a trip to an IEEE conference of the team's choice anywhere in the world, with return economy flights, conference registration and a three-night hotel stay for each member.
- 2nd place: US$400 cash for each team member.
- 3rd place: US$300 cash for each team member.
- 4th to 20th place, and the top 3 teams in each IEEE Region: IEEEXtreme merchandise bundles.
- Every active participant (a team that scores above zero with a confirmed proctor) gets a digital certificate.
How to register Register your team on IEEE vTools (xtreme.vtools.ieee.org) before the deadline, choose the college at least one teammate attends, and pick a proctor from the dropdown of proctors registered for that college or for remote monitoring.
Eligibility
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Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
1st place: expense-paid trip for each winning team member to an IEEE conference of their choice, up to USD 10,000 value. 2nd place: USD 400 cash award for each team member. 3rd place: USD 300 cash award for each team member. Ranks 1–100: eligible for prize packages shipped free of charge. Teams that score above 0 points and are not disqualified receive digital participation certificates.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is IEEEXtreme 20.0?
On 31 October 2026, from 00:00 to 23:59:59 UTC. In India that is 5:30 AM IST on 31 October to 5:30 AM IST on 1 November 2026.
What is the registration deadline for IEEEXtreme 20.0?
The official deadline was extended to 25 October 2026, 23:59:59 UTC, which is 5:29 AM IST on 26 October 2026.
Can non-IEEE members take part?
No. Every team member must be an IEEE Student or Graduate Student member, and membership numbers are required to register. Join IEEE as a student first if you are not a member.
How big can a team be?
1 to 3 members, with at most 2 Graduate Student members. A college can send several teams.
Do we need a proctor?
Yes. Each team needs a proctor who is an IEEE member above Student grade. The proctor can monitor online. Without a confirmed Proctor of Record the team is not ranked and gets no prizes or certificates.
Can we use AI tools?
Only in the new game-type tasks. Locked-workspace tasks ban AI, and code for them must be written inside the official workspace with copy-paste disabled. Any internet resource you use elsewhere must be cited in a code comment.
What are the prizes?
1st place wins a trip to an IEEE conference of choice (flights, registration and three hotel nights per member). 2nd place gets US$400 and 3rd place US$300 per team member. Teams placed 4th to 20th and the top 3 in each IEEE Region get merchandise bundles, and every active participant gets a digital certificate.
Is there an entry fee?
The official site does not list a separate entry fee, but every team member must hold IEEE Student or Graduate Student membership.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
