Tashkent hosts the world's brightest young programmers at IOI 2026

Tashkent is on the global stage this week as Uzbekistan hosts the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI 2026) from 9 to 16 August — the first time the prestigious competition has ever been staged in the country. The event is confirmed on the official website ioi2026.uz and was reported by Gazeta.uz on 9 August.

A total of 386 school students from 97 countries are competing over eight days, tackling complex programming and algorithmic challenges. When delegation leaders, international committee members, guests, and observers are included, total attendance surpasses 900 people, making IOI 2026 one of the largest international gatherings Tashkent has seen in recent years.

For Uzbekistan, the IOI is another high-profile milestone in a packed calendar that already features the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand in September. Hosting world-class events of this scale demonstrates the country’s growing capacity as an international destination — and the warm, well-organised welcome that awaits visitors.

Participants combining the Olympiad with sightseeing will find Tashkent an excellent base: the Chorsu Bazaar, the State Museum of Timurids History, and easy high-speed rail connections to Samarkand and Bukhara are all within reach.