Welcome to the 2026 National Economics Challenge!

Congratulations on making it to the 2026 National Economics Challenge Finals!

2026 Finals Schedule

Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 ​

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Teams Arrive and Check-in with CEE Staff​ ​

4:00 PM Hotel Check-in​

4:00PM – 7:00PM Vanguard Investment Tool Demonstration Program​   ​

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Thursday, May 28th, 2026​

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Teams Arrive and Check-in at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta​​

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Breakfast​

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM Welcome Remarks, Instructions, and Announcements​​

9:00 AM – 11:50 AM Morning Critical Thinking Round Presentations by Student Teams​​ – Teams present to judging panels in staggered time slots​

11:45 AM – 1:00PM Lunch​

12:25 PM – 3:15 PM Afternoon Critical Thinking Round Presentations by Student Teams​​ – Teams present to judging panels in staggered time slots​

4:00 PM – 5:30PM Dinner Courtesy of the Atlanta Fed​​

5:30PM – 7:45PM Cultural Event – Announcement of Final Four Adam Smith and David Ricardo Teams​​

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Friday, May 29th, 2026​

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta​​ Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM SKT Dress Rehearsals​

9:30 AM – 9:35 AM Welcome Remarks with Judge and SKT Team Introductions​​

9:35 AM – 10:45 AM China David Ricardo and Adam Smith Quiz Bowls​​

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Awards Ceremony​

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM US Dress Rehearsals​

11:30 AM – 12:20 PM Lunch​

12:25 PM – 1:55 PM US David Ricardo and Adam Smith Quiz Bowls​

1:55 PM – 2:10 PM Awards Ceremony​

2:15 PM – 3:25 PM International David Ricardo and Adam Smith Quiz Bowls​

3:25 PM – 3:40 PM Awards Ceremony​

3:45 PM Student Interviews and End of Program​​

Tag @CouncilEconEd on social media or use the hashtag #NEC2026 for a chance to be featured on our pages!

Other ways to get involved
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