International Physics Olympiad: 2026 Results and 2027 Host Conflict
IPhO format and eligibility, the completed 2026 event in Colombia, and the unresolved conflict between official sources about the 2027 host.
Q: Where was IPhO 2026, and who will host IPhO 2027? A: IPhO 2026 ran in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from 4 to 12 July 2026 and has concluded. The 2027 host is not safe to state as settled because official sources conflict: the 2026 host reports a flag handover to Saudi Arabia, while the central IPhO future table still lists Hungary with the place not decided.
IPhO 2026 is complete
The 56th International Physics Olympiad took place in Bucaramanga from 4 to 12 July 2026. The host's closing update confirms that medals and certificates were distributed and the international delegations departed after the competition.
Use the 2026 host site for that completed cycle and the central IPhO site for statutes and international documentation.
IPhO 2027: an unresolved source conflict
Two first-party sources currently disagree:
- The IPhO 2026 host site says Colombia handed the official flag to Saudi Arabia, described as the 2027 host.
- The central IPhO future table lists Hungary, says a declaration of intent was received, and leaves the place as not decided.
The newer flag-handover report suggests Saudi Arabia may be the operational host, but the central table has not been reconciled. Until the central record, current minutes, or a 2027 host site resolves this, students should not book travel or publish a definitive city and date.
Official competition format
Under the IPhO statutes, each country may send up to five contestants and two leaders. Contestants must meet the current age and education rules. The competition includes separate five-hour theoretical and experimental examinations.
Medal boundaries are determined through the official process after marking. The statutes describe cumulative proportions of approximately 8 percent for Gold, 25 percent for Gold plus Silver, and 50 percent for all medals.
Singapore selection
Singapore's delegation is nationally selected. Public pages do not justify describing SJPO, SPhO, APhO, and IPhO as an automatic promotion chain. Students should follow current national training and selection notices sent through the responsible organisers or their schools.