How to find a hackaton in your area

The hackathon, also called codefest or hack day, is an intensive coding marathon where developers, designers, project managers, and tech enthusiasts collaborate to build websites, mobile applications, robots, hardware projects, and innovative software solutions. These events have become cornerstone experiences in the tech industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and creating.

Most hackathons last from 24 to 48 hours, though some extend to 72 hours or even a full week. Participants typically work with minimal sleep and sustain themselves on provided food and caffeine, pushing through fatigue to bring their ideas to life. At the conclusion, teams present their projects and ideas, often in a competitive format where judges evaluate submissions and award prizes.

Hackathons provide exceptional opportunities to learn new technologies, experiment with emerging tools, meet talented people, and establish potentially valuable professional connections. Beyond the technical skills, participants gain experience in rapid prototyping, working under pressure, pitching ideas, and collaborating with diverse teams. Plus, there’s usually free food, engaging activities, networking events, and interesting prizes ranging from tech gadgets to cash awards sometimes reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

Why Attend a Hackathon in 2026?

The hackathon landscape has evolved significantly. Modern events focus on cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, augmented reality, virtual reality, Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and sustainability tech. Many hackathons now emphasize social impact, challenging participants to develop solutions addressing real-world problems like climate change, healthcare accessibility, education equity, and food security.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a student learning to code, a designer, a business person with ideas, or simply someone curious about technology, hackathons welcome participants of all skill levels. Many events specifically cater to beginners, offering workshops, mentorship, and beginner-friendly challenges.

So, If You’re Interested in a Hackathon, How Do You Find One?

The best strategy is browsing the Internet for upcoming hackathon events. In 2025, numerous platforms aggregate hackathon listings from around the world, making it easier than ever to find events matching your interests, location, and skill level. Here are the most comprehensive websites and resources you can use:

1. Devpost

Devpost is arguably the most comprehensive hackathon platform available today. Beyond just finding hackathons, Devpost allows you to browse thousands of hackathon projects for inspiration, submit your own projects, showcase your work, and find team members for upcoming events.

You can search for both online and in-person hackathons, filtering by application deadlines, prize amounts, themes, and technologies. The platform features hackathons from around the world, not only from North America and Europe but also from Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania. Virtual hackathons have become particularly popular since 2020, and Devpost excels at hosting these events.

By clicking on a hackathon listing, you can register for the event directly, view extensive information including the agenda, judging criteria, prizes, sponsors, and rules. Many hackathons use Devpost for submission and judging, making it a one-stop platform for the entire hackathon experience.

Devpost also maintains profiles for participants, creating portfolios of your hackathon projects that can be valuable when applying for jobs or showcasing your skills to potential collaborators.

2. Major League Hacking (MLH)

Major League Hacking is the official student hackathon league, with a stated mission to empower hackers and create opportunities for learning and innovation. MLH sanctions and supports hundreds of student-run hackathons globally, providing resources, mentorship, and hardware labs to participating events.

Visit their website to find hackathons in North America, Europe, Asia, and increasingly other regions. Their seasonal schedules (Fall, Winter, Spring) organize events chronologically, making planning easier. MLH events are known for high quality, strong community culture, and excellent organization.

To participate in MLH member events as a hacker, you typically must be a student or have graduated from university within the last 12 months. However, many MLH events welcome volunteers, mentors, and judges from beyond the student community. If you’re not a student, MLH events may not be accessible as a participant, but many other non-student hackathons exist on other platforms.

MLH provides valuable resources including the MLH Localhost program, which offers free workshops on various technologies, and the MLH Fellowship, a paid remote externship program where participants contribute to Open Source projects.

3. HackEvents

HackEvents describes itself as the “world’s leading hackathon search engine.” The platform offers several search options to help you find the perfect event. You can browse by categories including specific regions (Europe, USA, Canada, Asia) or view worldwide listings.

Search functionality allows you to find hackathons by name, city, date range, or keywords. The “View all upcoming hackathons” option provides a comprehensive chronological list. Each listing includes essential details: date, location (or virtual), brief description, themes, and registration links.

HackEvents aggregates information from various sources, providing a broad view of the global hackathon landscape. It’s particularly useful for discovering smaller, regional events that might not appear on larger platforms.

4. Hackalist

Hackalist describes itself as a “list of hackathons from around the world.” This open-source project, maintained by the community on GitHub, lists hackathons organized by date, providing essential information including cost, whether the event offers travel reimbursement, prize details, and event descriptions.

The filtering system is particularly useful. You can filter to show only hackathons that offer travel reimbursement (important for students and those traveling from distance), have prizes, accept high school students, or are free to attend. This helps narrow down options based on your specific circumstances.

Because Hackalist is open-source and community-maintained, it often includes smaller grassroots events that might not appear on commercial platforms. Anyone can contribute to Hackalist by submitting pull requests on GitHub, making it a true community resource.

5. Hackathons Near Me

This platform takes a geographic approach to hackathon discovery. Enter your address or city to find hackathons nearby, sorted by proximity and date. This is particularly useful when you prefer in-person events within driving distance.

The visual hackathon map with clickable pins provides an intuitive interface for discovering events in your region or places you plan to visit. Listings include color codes indicating whether events allow virtual participation, are student-only, require registration fees, or have other specific requirements.

The proximity-based search helps you discover local tech communities and recurring events in your area, potentially leading to ongoing involvement beyond single hackathons.

Additional Resources and Platforms

Beyond these primary platforms, several additional resources can help you find hackathons:

6. Social Media and Community Platforms

Many hackathons are promoted heavily on social media. Follow hashtags like #hackathon, #hack, #codefest, and technology-specific tags on platforms like:

Twitter/X: Tech communities actively share hackathon announcements
LinkedIn: Professional hackathons and corporate-sponsored events
Instagram: Student hackathons often promote via Instagram stories and posts
TikTok: Increasingly popular for hackathon recaps and promotions
Discord: Many tech communities have dedicated channels for hackathon announcements
Reddit: Subreddits like r/hackathons aggregate events and discussions

7. University and College Websites

If you’re a student or near a university, check computer science department websites and student organization pages. Many universities host annual hackathons open to students from other institutions. These events often provide travel reimbursement for out-of-town participants.

8. Meetup.com

Meetup hosts listings for tech events including hackathons, especially smaller local events. Search for technology groups in your area, as they frequently organize or promote hackathons.

9. Company Career Pages and Tech Blogs

Technology companies frequently host hackathons for recruitment, product development, or community engagement. Check career pages and blogs of companies you’re interested in. Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and countless startups regularly sponsor or host hackathons.

10. Tech News Websites

Publications like TechCrunch, The Verge, Hacker News, and regional tech blogs often announce major hackathons, especially those with significant prizes or social impact focuses.

Types of Hackathons to Consider

Understanding different hackathon formats helps you choose events matching your interests:

In-Person Hackathons

Traditional overnight events held at universities, tech company offices, or conference centers. These provide immersive experiences with face-to-face networking, mentor access, and energetic atmospheres.

Virtual Hackathons

Online events using platforms like Discord, Zoom, Slack, and dedicated hackathon tools. These are accessible from anywhere, don’t require travel, and often run for longer periods (weeks instead of days), allowing part-time participation.

Hybrid Hackathons

Events combining in-person and virtual participation, offering flexibility while maintaining some benefits of face-to-face interaction.

Corporate Hackathons

Sponsored by companies, often focused on their technologies, APIs, or platforms. These can be excellent for networking with potential employers and winning substantial prizes.

Social Impact Hackathons

Focused on solving societal challenges like healthcare, education, climate change, or social justice. Projects from these events sometimes evolve into actual nonprofits or social enterprises.

Theme-Specific Hackathons

Centered on particular technologies (AI/ML, blockchain, IoT), industries (fintech, healthtech, edtech), or demographics (women in tech, LGBTQ+ in tech, beginners).

Preparing for Your First Hackathon

Once you’ve found a hackathon, preparation increases your chances of success:

Form a team early: Many platforms have team-finding channels or forums
Review the theme and rules: Understand what’s expected and allowed
Set up development environments: Have your tools ready before the event starts
Brainstorm ideas: Come with potential project concepts, even if you change direction
Pack essentials: Laptop, chargers, personal care items, comfortable clothes
Plan your schedule: Balance coding time with sleep, food, and breaks
Prepare to present: Practice pitching ideas concisely

What to Expect at a Hackathon

Typical hackathon schedules include:

Opening ceremony: Rules, schedule, sponsor presentations, team formation
Hacking time: Extended periods for building your project
Workshops and tech talks: Learning opportunities during the event
Mentor hours: Access to experienced developers and industry professionals
Meals and activities: Food, games, sometimes entertainment
Submission deadline: Fixed time to complete and submit your project
Demos and presentations: Showcasing your work to judges and other participants
Judging and awards: Evaluation and prize distribution

Virtual Hackathon Tips

For online events, additional considerations apply:

Ensure reliable internet connectivity
Familiarize yourself with collaboration tools (Discord, Slack, Zoom, GitHub)
Establish clear communication schedules with your team
Create a dedicated workspace free from distractions
Be mindful of time zones if working with international team members
Record your demo video early, leaving time for technical issues

Making the Most of Hackathons

Beyond winning, hackathons offer numerous benefits:

Learning: Experiment with new technologies in supportive environments
Networking: Meet potential co-founders, employers, mentors, and friends
Portfolio building: Create demonstrable projects for resumes and interviews
Recruitment: Many companies actively recruit at hackathons
Community: Join passionate tech communities and find your people
Fun: Enjoy the unique energy and excitement of building something in compressed timeframes

After the Hackathon

Don’t let your hackathon experience end when the event does:

Continue developing promising projects
Stay connected with team members and people you met
Share your experience on social media and personal blogs
Add projects to your portfolio and LinkedIn
Apply lessons learned to future hackathons and projects
Consider organizing or mentoring at future events

Conclusion

Hackathons represent unique opportunities for growth, learning, and creation in the tech world. Whether you’re seeking to improve your skills, build your network, launch a startup, or simply have fun creating something new, hackathons offer experiences you won’t find elsewhere.

Use the platforms and resources outlined here to find hackathons matching your interests, location, and skill level. Don’t be intimidated if you’re a beginner, many hackathons specifically welcome and support newcomers with workshops, beginner tracks, and mentorship.

The hackathon community is generally inclusive, supportive, and excited to help newcomers. So check out these websites, find an event that excites you, register, and prepare for an intensive, rewarding experience. Whether you win prizes or not, you’ll leave having learned, created, and connected with amazing people in the tech community.

So if hackathons sound like your kind of event, explore these platforms and level up your skills, network, and portfolio!