Jeopardy
Solve challenges involving web security, cryptography, reverse engineering, software and hardware vulnerabilities, and other categories to find secrets (flags) and score points.
Bochum, Germany12–16 October 2026
European Cybersecurity Challenge 2026
The annual cybersecurity competition for national teams from Europe and invited guest countries.
- Competitor ages
- 14–25
- Countries
- 42
- Competitors
- 400+
The Event
The European Cybersecurity Challenge is held in a different host country each year. National teams compete in practical Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges to determine the European champion.
In 2026, Bochum welcomes teams from 42 countries from 12–16 October. The event is organised by NFITS on a voluntary basis. Competitors qualify through national selection programmes.
Event detailsAttack-Defense
Keep your services running while finding weaknesses in the other teams’ defences.
Schedule
Full schedule12–16 October 2026.
All times CEST. Subject to small changes.
Opening Ceremony
16:15–18:00
RuhrCongress BochumGreat Hall
Jeopardy CTF
10:00–22:00
RuhrCongress BochumCTF area (Great Hall)
CTF-Unplugged & Networking
13:00–21:00
RuhrCongress BochumCTF area (Great Hall)
Attack-Defense CTF
11:00–19:00
RuhrCongress BochumCTF area (Great Hall)
Closing Ceremony
15:00–18:00
Arrival from 14:00.
Jahrhunderthalle Bochum
Venues
The competition and opening ceremony take place at RuhrCongress. Jahrhunderthalle hosts the closing ceremony.
Find venue addresses, public transport routes and travel information.
Venues & travelVolunteer at ECSC 2026
Help welcome teams and support event activities during ECSC 2026, 12–16 October in Bochum.
Apply to volunteerTell us when you are available and what you would like to help with.
Main sponsor
Meet all partnersMain sponsor
As the main sponsor of ECSC 2026, Schwarz Digits is helping young cybersecurity talents sharpen their skills and shape the next generation of cybersecurity for Europe.
Visit main sponsor: Schwarz DigitsTeams
National teams from across Europe and seven invited guest countries will compete in Bochum, with 42 countries represented in total.
Competitors qualify through national selection programmes. The team directory lists the participating countries and links to their national competitions and team websites.
Meet the teamsLATEST NEWSAll news
Cybersecurity needs the next generation: Europe’s young cybersecurity talent comes to Bochum
More than 400 competitors from 42 countries will gather in Bochum for the European Cybersecurity Challenge from 12 to 16 October 2026.
OpenECSC 2026 Has Started
Archive: the open competition ran from 1 March to 1 May 2026.