Math Challenge Tournament® (MCT)
​Schools/centers' Registration

​The 2026 Math Challenge Tournament (MCT) is an in-person only competition, hosted by schools/education centers. Schools/centers can choose one or more date/time slots between March 28th and April 8th, 2026 (inclusive) to host this competition. 

​Through the MCT give back program, eligible schools/centers that are hosting MCT will receive 20% of the tournament fee based on the number of students that participate in the tournament at the hosting schools/centers. 

Please review additional information below on how to host/organize MCT at your schools/centers.
 
How to host and organize MCT for your school/center

• Register your school/center: any PTA/PTSA member/teacher/principal/center director, etc. can be an MCT organizer and register their school HERE.  This person would be the primary MCT organizer in charge of running and implementing MCT in the school/center. Before registering your school, organizers need to have the following:
  • Determine date(s) & time(s) of the tournament. A hosting school/center may have multiple sessions to accommodate more students. For 2026 Math Challenge Tournament, schools/centers can choose one or more date/time slots between March 28th and April 8th, 2026, to host this competition. 
  • Reserve the space at school (classroom, library, common area, or gym) and determine the maximum number of students you will host for the tournament for each session.
  • Determine if the tournament will be available exclusively for your students, or if you will accept students from neighboring schools to participate.

• Promote the tournament to students/parents: this tournament can be promoted through posters, flyers, PeachJar advertising, school’s newsletter, emails to teachers, emails to parents, social media posts, etc.

• Organize the tournament and review timelines and checklist to make sure the event is successful. This includes:
  • Set detailed schedule of the tournament.
  • Communicate the expectations to parents/students.
  • Recruit and train volunteers for the tournament day.
  • Review tournament packet received before the tournament day.

• Distribute awards: determine and implement awards distribution for your students who are placed in the top 10% nationally (i.e. award ceremony, principal morning announcement, etc.)​ ​

Logistics and Organizers Roles and Responsibilities

Important Timelines

• ​Now - Jan 9, 2026: school registration is open. Organizers can register their school/center HERE. 
• Jan 12: schools/centers receive a registration link specific for their school/center that they can include in their tournament promotion venues.
• Jan 12 - March 6, 2026: Students' registration is open. 
• Jan 13 - March 6, 2026: Organizers continue to promote the tournament.
• March 6, 2026: Student's registration closes.
• March 9, 2026: Organizers receive an email with an Excel spreadsheet of all registered students at their location, plus a list of possible volunteers to contact.
• March 25 - April 5, 2026: Organizers receive tournament packet (tournament test questions, blank students' answer sheets, ribbons, and keepsakes for participants) about 3 - 5 days before tournament dates.
• March 28 - April 8, 2026: Tournaments are being held in various locations.​​
• ​March 29 - April 9, 2026: Organizers scan students answer sheets into a pdf and email it back to [email protected].
• April 13, 2026: Organizers may distribute test questions and answer sheet to students (either electronically or parents can pick up at the school's front office, etc.).
• April 27, 2026: Results to be posted on our website at: TBD
• April 27 - May 1, 2026: Awards to be either shipped or dropped off to each school/center.
• May 4 - end of school: Organizers may distribute the awards to students (award ceremony, school assembly, etc.)

​
​​See below for details and other resources.

Organizers Resources

Proposing to your school:
Email proposal to school to host 2026 MCT

Planning for the MCT event:
MCT - Logistics and Organizer Roles
​​MCT - Organizers Timelines
MCT - Organizers checklist

Announcing to your school's community: 
MCT - Introductory email to Parents (template)
MCT Poster (blue template)
MCT Poster (Green template)
MCT Email to Principals of surrounding schools (template)

Communication templates to participants:
MCT Email to Parents of Participants (template)
MCT Guidelines for Participants
MCT Answer Sheet Sample
​
Volunteering for MCT 
Best Practice for Proper Scanning