4 MARCH 2026
A Message to All Participating Nations & Regions
Dear Team Leaders and National Committees,
As we enter March, preparations for ICOA 2026 are progressing well and we are excited to share the latest developments with all participating nations and regions.
ICOA 2026 is on track. Sydney is ready, hotels are booked, and the competition infrastructure is being built as we speak. Everything is coming together for what promises to be an outstanding event.
Here is everything you need to know about where we stand today.
Hotels Confirmed
We are pleased to confirm that accommodation for ICOA 2026 has been secured at two hotels in Sydney, both within easy reach of the competition venue.
Larger rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Nations that registered during the Early Bird window will have priority selection.
Practice Platform — OZ Style
Our practice platform is now live at practice.ico2026.au and available to all participating nations and regions. We want everyone to have the opportunity to prepare.
For those unfamiliar, "OZ" is Australian shorthand for "Aussie" / "Australian" — expect a distinctly Australian flavour in the challenges.
The practice platform runs a real Australian CTF style with a reduced web category. Writeups will be provided by the host after the practice rounds.
If your delegation experiences slow network connectivity to our servers, please reach out — we can assist with local deployment of the practice environment.
Special thanks to the Pecan project for contributing to the platform development.
Team Leader Support
Each delegation's team leader will receive access to a dedicated support group. This is your direct line to the organising team for any questions or coordination needs.
- Hotel arrangements and room preferences
- Travel logistics and airport transfers
- Visa support and invitation letters
- Competition format and rules clarification
- Local deployment of the practice platform
- Tutorials and preparation resources
Financial Stability
Over 95% of the budget is locked in. The remaining gap is minimal and well within our operational margin. There is no cause for concern.
ASRA is committed to providing the financial support necessary to deliver a world-class event. We have secured written hotel offers and locked in over 100 rooms, confirmed venue costs, and have a clear path to closing any remaining gap.
Observer Programme
Beyond the standard delegation of 4 contestants + 1 team leader per delegation, we are pleased to offer an Observer Programme for additional delegates.
Observers may include:
- A second team leader or deputy
- Parents or guardians accompanying the delegation
- Potential contestants — students who wish to observe and gain experience for future competitions
For observer students: a simulated competition environment will be provided, separate from the official contest floor. Observer contestants will have access to the same challenge set and can compete under practice conditions — however, their scores will not count toward national rankings or awards.
For full details on observer registration and fees, please contact us at australia@ico2026.au.
Registration
Registration is open now via the ICOA 2026 homepage. The process is straightforward — submit your delegation's details and the host will formally contact you to confirm.
Register Now →