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 (CLOSED): any PTA/PTSA member/teacher/principal/center director, etc. can be an MCT organizer and register their school.  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. School's registration is now closed. 
• 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