Attack, defend, win: European Cybersecurity Challenge opens in Bochum
More than 400 young cybersecurity talents from 42 countries compete in Bochum until 16 October 2026.
Read announcementNews & Media
Latest updates from ECSC 2026, media accreditation, press materials and information for covering the challenge.
LATEST 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.
Read announcementOpenECSC 2026 Has Started
Archive: the open competition ran from 1 March to 1 May 2026.
Read announcementMedia accreditation
For media enquiries and accreditation questions, contact the ECSC 2026 Communications Team at media@ecsc2026.de.
Accreditation is required for every person creating photos, video, audio, interviews or written coverage for public release. This includes journalists, freelancers, broadcasters and people reporting for a team, sponsor, partner, organisation or public social-media channel.
Accreditation is personal and non-transferable. Each person must submit a separate application. Submission does not grant access. The Communications Team confirms accreditation and the permitted access.
Request media accreditationOn arrival & access
Report to general registration on arrival. Registration will refer you to the Communications Team for the accreditation check and media badge.
Access to teams, backstage areas, interviewees, ceremonies or the competition area must be arranged with the Communications Team.
Private recordings
Strictly private, unpublished recordings need no accreditation. Consent, screen protection, access and non-disruption rules still apply.
Event facts
The European Cybersecurity Challenge 2026 brings teams from 42 countries and more than 400 young cybersecurity talents aged 14 to 25 to Bochum, Germany, from 12 to 16 October 2026. National teams compete, learn and connect at one of Europe's leading events for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. ECSC 2026 is organised by NFITS with the City of Bochum as host city partner, supported by ENISA and ECCC, and made possible together with event partners and sponsors.
- Dates
- 12–16 October 2026
- Host city
- Bochum, Germany
- Participation
- 42 teams from 42 countries
- Competitors
- More than 400, aged 14–25
- National qualifiers
- More than 30,000 participants
- Expected onsite attendance
- Around 800 people
Opening ceremony
Monday, 12 October · 16:15–18:00 CEST
RuhrCongress Bochum
Watch live
Competition
Tuesday to Thursday, 13–15 October
RuhrCongress Bochum
Closing & awards ceremony
Friday, 16 October · 15:00–18:00 CEST
Arrival from 14:00
Jahrhunderthalle Bochum
Watch live
Female+ Bootcamp
A two-day training weekend by ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, hosted with the ECSC 2026 team. Female+ participants from ECSC national and guest teams join talks on cyber careers, Team Europe and ECSC, team activities and hands-on technical training with a CTF challenge. Registration is closed.
To cover the bootcamp, contact the Communications Team in advance at media@ecsc2026.de. Accreditation and the media rules on this page apply.
Media rules
For approvals or questions, contact the Communications Team at media@ecsc2026.de or speak to the designated media contact onsite.
Access & active competition
Press and sponsor media, including content creators, are accompanied by a press angel whenever they take photos, video or audio. Text-only interviews need no escort. Team-affiliated media need a press angel only during competition hours on Tuesday and Thursday. Watchdogs protect competition integrity.
- Carry and display your badge while working onsite.
- Follow instructions from event and venue staff, watchdogs and press angels.
- During competition hours on Tuesday and Thursday, media may enter the competition area only with a press angel and a watchdog.
- During these hours, record only from outside the competition area or from an approved position, accompanied by a press angel.
- On Wednesday, no watchdog is needed. Press and sponsor media arrange access and interviews with the Communications Team. Team-affiliated media need no escort.
- Screens, whiteboards, notes, credentials, challenge material and other sensitive information must not be identifiable.
- Do not distract participants, block routes or sightlines, interfere with officials or disrupt the competition.
- Accreditation does not create a right to interview, photograph or record anyone.
People, consent & photo opt-out
- Do not photograph, film or record anyone wearing a yellow lanyard: it is the photo opt-out marker. Standard lanyards are black. If you are unsure, ask the Communications Team before recording.
- Official event crews authorised by the Communications Team may include people wearing a yellow lanyard in photos and videos under certain conditions. Their faces and other identifying features are pixelated or blurred before publication.
- The person creating the coverage and their organisation must obtain and document all permissions needed for recording and publication, including permissions involving minors.
- Do not record people in private, sensitive, medical or otherwise inappropriate situations.
Interviews
During competition hours on Tuesday and Thursday, participant interviews may take place only outside the competition area. They require:
- The participant’s consent.
- Coach approval.
- An assigned press angel and a watchdog.
The watchdog or press angel must understand the interview language well enough to monitor the situation. Contact the Communications Team in advance so it can coordinate this process.
On Wednesday and outside competition hours, interviews require the interviewee’s consent. Advance coordination with the Communications Team is strongly recommended.
Equipment & drones
- Indoor drones and other remotely operated airborne recording equipment are prohibited.
- Outdoor operators must comply with the law, local rules, venue restrictions and required permissions.
- Equipment must not block exits, routes, participant areas or technical operations.
Photos & logos
Approved press photos will be published here during the event. Use them only for editorial reporting on ECSC 2026 and with the credit shown. Do not alter them in a misleading way, present them as an endorsement or use them in a commercial context.
ECSC 2026 logo
European Cybersecurity Challenge 2026 logo. Vector SVG and transparent PNG (2400 × 2400 px).
Credit: ECSC 2026
Usage: Usage guidelines are available from the ECSC 2026 media team.
NFITS logos
Primary for light backgrounds; alternate for dark backgrounds.
Credit: Nachwuchsförderung IT-Sicherheit e.V. (NFITS)
Usage: Usage guidelines are available from the NFITS / ECSC 2026 media team.
- Primary
- Alternate
