Competition

Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

Creative Competitions, Inc. (Odyssey of the Mind Association / OdysseyHQ)

Recognition VERIFY
Deadline ~Apr 1, 2026 Estimated; confirm on sponsor site

Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving team competition in which school, homeschool, and community-group teams solve a long-term and a spontaneous problem, advancing from regional and Association (state/country) tournaments to the annual World Finals.

Eligibility

Grade levels
Middle school, High school
Fields of study
Engineering, Arts, Technology, Research

Application requirements

  • Purchase a school, community-group, or homeschool membership from Creative Competitions, Inc.
  • Form a team of up to 7 students (5-6 recommended) in the appropriate grade division: Division II covers grades 6-8 (middle school) and Division III covers grades 9-12 (high school); the oldest team member's grade sets the division and teams must compete in the lowest division for which they qualify.
  • Compete at a regional tournament
  • Place well enough to advance to Association (state/provincial/country) Finals
  • Qualify for World Finals via Association Finals, or apply directly by April 1 if no local tournament exists: Direct World Finals applications for areas without a pre-World Finals tournament are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by April 1.

Verified Jul 8, 2026 · View official source