4 MARCH 2026
A Message to All Participating Countries
Dear Team Leaders and National Committees,
As we enter March, preparations for ICO 2026 are progressing well and we are excited to share the latest developments with all 40+ participating countries.
ICO 2026 is on track. Sydney is ready, the venue at Macquarie University is secured, 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 ICO 2026 has been secured at two hotels near Macquarie University, both within easy reach of the competition venue.
Larger rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Countries 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 countries. With over 20 new countries joining this year, 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.
ICO 2025 ran on CTFd, and we are continuing with a real Australian CTF style. The practice platform format is similar to last year, with a reduced web category. Writeups will be provided by the host after the practice rounds.
If your country 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 country'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
Missed the Early Bird Deadline?
We understand that some countries received the February 26 Early Bird reminder but were unable to complete registration before the March 1 deadline due to scheduling conflicts or other circumstances.
If this applies to your country, please contact us directly. The host will assist in resolving the situation and, where appropriate, forward the matter to the OED for confirmation.
OED — "Office of the ICO consisting the President, Secretary and Treasurer." The OED is the executive body responsible for day-to-day governance of the ICO.
Once your Early Bird status is confirmed, the payment channel will be opened and you will receive priority access to larger room allocations.
Financial Stability
We want to provide a brief update on the financial position of ICO 2026.
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
High school cybersecurity competitions are rare on the global stage. ICO 2026 recognises this and wants to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to experience a world-class CTF environment.
Beyond the standard delegation of 4 contestants + 1 team leader per country, 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. This is purely for individual practice and development.
We recommend each country bring no more than 4 observers in total. Observer registration fees are slightly higher than standard delegation rates to cover the additional logistical arrangements.
For full details on observer registration and fees, please contact us at australia@ico2026.au.
Registration & Early Bird
Registration is open now via the ICO 2026 homepage. The process is straightforward — submit your country's details and the host will formally contact you to confirm.
- Before March 1 = Early Bird registration (discounted rates)
- Larger rooms allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
- After submission, the host will reach out directly to coordinate next steps