Calendar 2026
Three cities,
one cycle.
Each edition opens with a public symposium, runs three days of jury sessions and exhibits, and closes with a ceremony. Most events are free for shortlisted teams, GQC alumni and partner-school students; many are open to the public.
Edition I · Asia
Hong Kong
9 – 13 Sept 2026
Hosted by HKUST Centre for Entrepreneurship and the British Council. Public exhibits run at the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural District.
Wed 9 Sept · 18:30
Opening Symposium
M+ Auditorium, West Kowloon
Public
Free
Thu 10 Sept
Jury Day · Brand & Communication
HKUST Lee Shau Kee Campus
Teams
By pass
Fri 11 Sept
Jury Day · Digital & AI
Cyberport 3
Teams
By pass
Sat 12 Sept
Exhibit Day & Public Tours
Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural District
Public
Free
Sun 13 Sept · 19:00
Hong Kong Awards Ceremony
Asia Society HK Centre
Invite
By RSVP
Edition II · Europe
London
21 – 25 Oct 2026
Hosted by Imperial College Enterprise Lab and Somerset House Studios. Public exhibits run at Somerset House’s Edmond J Safra Fountain Court.
Wed 21 Oct · 18:30
Opening Symposium
Somerset House, Strand
Public
Free
Thu 22 Oct
Jury Day · Brand & Communication
Imperial College Enterprise Lab, South Kensington
Teams
By pass
Fri 23 Oct
Jury Day · Digital & AI
White City Innovation District
Teams
By pass
Sat 24 Oct
Exhibit Day & Public Tours
Somerset House Fountain Court
Public
Free
Sun 25 Oct · 19:00
London Awards Ceremony
Royal Society of Arts, John Adam Street
Invite
By RSVP
Edition III · Americas
New York
11 – 15 Nov 2026
Hosted by NYU Stern Berkley Center and Brooklyn Navy Yard. Public exhibits run at the Newlab campus in BNY.
Wed 11 Nov · 18:30
Opening Symposium
NYU Kimmel Center, Washington Square
Public
Free
Thu 12 Nov
Jury Day · Brand & Communication
NYU Stern, Berkley Center
Teams
By pass
Fri 13 Nov
Jury Day · Digital & AI
Newlab, Brooklyn Navy Yard
Teams
By pass
Sat 14 Nov
Exhibit Day & Public Tours
Newlab, Brooklyn Navy Yard
Public
Free
Sun 15 Nov · 19:00
New York Awards Ceremony
The Hall, Brooklyn Navy Yard
Invite
By RSVP
Championship round
Global Final & GQC Medal
5 – 6 Dec 2026 · New York
Twenty-four teams — six city winners and eighteen wildcards — present in front of the senior jury for the year’s top honours.
Sat 5 Dec · 10:00
Final round · all 24 teams
NYU Kimmel · Grand Hall
Invite
By pass
Sat 5 Dec · 19:30
Founders’ Dinner
Refinery Hotel, Midtown
Invite
By RSVP
Sun 6 Dec · 17:00
GQC Medal Ceremony
The Cooper Union, Foundation Building
Invite + live stream
Watch live
2026 calendar live·
Public exhibit days are free·
Pass holders see all sessions·
#GQC2026