The Wharton High School Data Science Competition is a free, online competition run by the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative and Wharton Global Youth at the University of Pennsylvania. High school teams worldwide can participate. The 2027 challenge uses simulated American football player statistics to explore rankings, predictions, and performance measures.
The competition runs from February 1 to April 14, 2027:
- Initial analysis (February 1–March 1): Teams submit predictions, performance calculations, and visualizations. Evaluation considers accuracy, presentation, and analytical rigor.
- Semifinals (March 8–22): Qualifying teams explain their approach in a slide deck of up to seven slides.
- Virtual finals (April 14): Five teams present their semifinal slides live to judges over Zoom.
Wharton provides learning resources, and prior sports or data science knowledge is not required. The rules list trophies, certificates, and selected Wharton course opportunities for winners, but the prize section still references 2026; specific 2027 awards should be confirmed with the organizers.
Sources: Official competition page, FAQ, rules, and deliverables and judging criteria. Verified October 16, 2026.