International Young Physicists Tournament (IYPT)

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The International Young Physicists’ Tournament (IYPT), often referred to as the physics World Cup, is a high school competition that simulates the real-world scientific research process with investigation, presentation, and defending obtained results.

Description:

Competition Details:

Participants have a little bit less than a year to investigate 17 open-ended inquiry questions. There is no single "correct answer"; the competition is rather conclusion-oriented. The participants have to design and perform experiments, and draw conclusions from the experiment's outcome. Different teams can take extremely different routes to solve the same problem, and they will be evaluated based on the depth of their investigation. Moreover, participants don’t answer using pen and paper; they take on the roles of Reporter, Opponent and Reviewer (all evaluated by an international Jury) and simulate the defence of a thesis.

  • Teams are divided into groups and compete in multiple Selective Physics Fights throughout the tournament. Outstanding teams (typically 3 teams) can then advance to the Final Fight, where the overall winner is determined.

  • The entire competition is composed of many “Physics Fights” that are essentially debates between 3-4 teams each round. Each team takes on one of these roles: Reporter, Opponent and Reviewer.

    There are typically 5 rounds throughout the competition.

    The Opponent challenges the Reporter on a problem; if accepted, the Reporter presents for 12 minutes. The Opponent critiques, followed by a discussion. The Reviewer summarizes the debate. Jurors ask final questions. Each team is Reporter once per Fight, and only one active member speaks per team. English is mandatory, but all materials are allowed.

Official website: click here

  • As a reporter, participants should present their team’s solution to a problem in a 12-minute presentation, explaining their methodology, experiments, and conclusions.

    Participants are judged on the depth and accuracy of their physics models, the quality and reproducibility of their experiments, how well their data and theory agree, their ability to communicate complex concepts, and their performance in the subsequent discussion.

  • As an opponent, participants should question the work of the reporter. They must understand the methodologies, experiments, and conclusions of the Reporter, and point out the errors or weaknesses of the reporter.

    Participants are judged on their ability to understand the reporter’s claim, the relevance of their (the Opponent’s) questions, the quality of their improvement suggestions, and their time management skills.

  • As a reviewer, participants observe the entire discussion and provide a summary and assessment of both the presentation and the subsequent debate.

    Participants are assessed on their ability to summarize the presentation and debate clearly and evaluate the performance of the reporter and opponent.

Details on Roles and Evaluation:

All participants need to be selected through their nation’s national IYPT competition such as the Swiss Young Physicists' Tournament [SYPT]. There are pathways to join, stated on the official website, if one’s country hasn’t joined already.

Eligibility:

Key Dates:

Time for IYPT: July 5, 2027 to July 12, 2027 in Auckland, New Zealand, the National tournaments typically happen during January although it varies from Nation to Nation.

  • Canadian Young Physicists’ Tournament (CaYPT)

    1. registration deadline: Jan. 9th, 2026

    2. Tournament dates: 

      1. Day 1: Jan, 24th, 2026

      2. Day 2: Jan 31st, 2026

    3. Dates for 2027 TBD

  • United States Association for Young Physicists Tournament

    1. Tournaments dates: Janurary 30 - Janurary 31, 2027