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International Geography Olympiad

International Geography Olympiad

International Geography Olympiad (iGeo)

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About the Program

The International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) is an annual in-person competition for the top geography students ages 16–19 from approximately 50 countries across five continents, held under the auspices of the International Geographical Union (IGU).

The competition consists of three components: a Written Response Test (40%), a Multimedia Test (20%), and a Fieldwork Exercise (40%). Beyond the academic competition, iGeo includes cultural exchanges and excursions in the host country. The 2026 event in Istanbul, Türkiye is historical. The official calendar lists Jelgava, Latvia for August 2–9, 2027 and Melbourne, Australia for July 3–10, 2028.

Entry is exclusively through national selection — students must win or place in their country's National Geography Olympiad. Visit geoolympiad.org for links to national organizing bodies.

Sources checked November 4, 2026: official calendar, statutes and qualifying guidance. The statutes distinguish national student selection from the international country application and require a participation fee; the 2027 participation fee is not yet verified.

Eligibility

Contestants must be ages 16–19 inclusive on August 1 of the competition year and attend secondary education, or have finished school that year without regular tertiary study as of June 30. They must qualify through a national geography competition, attend school in the country represented, and be able to answer in English. Citizenship is not required. A student may compete at most twice and must qualify again each time. Participants must be between 16 and 19 years old (inclusive) on 1 August of the year the Olympiad takes place.

Eligible Countries

high school in: All countries Contestants represent the country where they attend school and must qualify through its national geography competition; citizenship is not required.

How to Apply

Qualify through the national geography competition in the country where you attend school. National organizers submit the country application to the international host; students cannot apply directly. National selection deadlines differ. Exact 2027 international registration and payment cutoffs have not yet been verified.