The International Geography Championships is a competition organized by International Academic Competitions which is designed to bring the top geography students from around the world together for an unforgettable week of various geography-themed competitions, sightseeing opportunities, and a chance to meet other students who love studying geography from around the world. IGC is held every two years in even-numbered years; it alternates with its sister competition, the International History Olympiad which is held in odd-numbered years.

The next International Geography Championships will be held from July 5-12, 2026 at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort and Spa in Khao Lak, Thailand. Please explore this website for all the details. For further questions on IGC, please see the FAQ page or email igc@iacompetitions.com.

The 2024 International Geography Championships was held from July 13-20, 2023 in Vienna, Austria. Most competitions, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, took place at our host school, GRG 23 – Alterlaa, an Austrian public high school. An optional day trip to Budapest for competing students and their families took place on July 13. A week-long extension tour for students and families (which is open to families who are not participating in the 2024 IGC) ran from July 21-27 and visited Prague, Dresden, and Berlin among other locations in Central Europe.

Please note the following basic information about IGC:

1. Participants are divided into High School, Middle School, Intermediate, and Elementary School Divisions depending on their birthdate and/or grade in school.
2. Numerous buzzer-based competitions, exams, simulations, and other events are held, but only one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal will be distributed per event, per age division. Please see the Schedule of Events and the Event Descriptions for further details.
3. Citizens and residents of the USA represent their state, not their country unless they hold foreign citizenship or were born overseas and choose to represent the country of their birth.
4. There is no limit to the number of students per country or state who can qualify or attend.
5. There is also a Family and Friends Program so that parents, siblings, family friends, and other relatives can take part in the field trips and a number of the competitions.

Thanks for your interest in the International Geography Championships!