Hosting 2026 International Physicists' Tournament at OSU

For the first time in its 17-year history, the International Physicists’ Tournament will be hosted in the United States — at Oklahoma State University – after stops in Paris, Zurich, Warsaw. In May 2026, students and faculty from 21 universities around the globe will come to Stillwater to compete in this global, research‑driven competition. University teams spend 8 months tackling open‑ended physics challenges that have no known solutions. This requires students to design experiments, build mathematical models, and defend their ideas and conclusions in scientific debates that mirror real research. Supporting IPT participation empowers our students to represent our university on the world stage, engage in authentic discovery, and develop into the next generation of scientific and community leaders for Oklahoma and the United States. 

As the host institution, OSU is responsible for raising the support needed to run the event, including participant housing, food, venue and logistics costs, and the scientific programming surrounding the competition. The total estimated cost for the event is $150,000. Your gifts help partially cover the costs of food and housing for the over 200 students coming to Stillwater to compete in the week-long tournament.