• The Internationale Deutscholympiade (IDO) is the world’s biggest contest for German language learners. In 2026, it will take place from 13 to 22 July according to the motto: “DABEI SEIN! ZusammenWachsen”
• The final elimination is contested every two years with the venue alternating between Goethe-Institut cities in Germany. In the past, the following cities have hosted the IDO: Dresden in 2008, Hamburg in 2010, Frankfurt in 2012 and 2014, Berlin in 2016, Freiburg in 2018, in digital format with a Dresden connection in 2020, Hamburg again in 2022 and Göttingen in 2024. Mannheim will host the event for the first time In 2026.

• The next edition of the IDO is due to take place in Mannheim from 13 to 22 July 2026. It’s motto: “DABEI SEIN! ZusammenWachsen”
• Next summer, around 115 school children and 63 accompanying teachers from over 60 countries will gather in Mannheim for the finale.

School children who have qualified at A2, B1 or B2 level in a Nationale Deutscholympiade (NDO) or other national selection procedure are eligible to compete in the IDO.

Participants must be between 14 and 17 years of age.  Two students may participate per country. The students may qualify in different levels or in the same level.

In line with the principles of fairness, the following persons are not allowed to participate in the contest: 

• students whose mother tongue or language of communication is German or who have at least one German-speaking parent
• students who have lived for more than six months at a time in a German-speaking country since turning three
• students at German schools abroad
• students of local private schools whose principal language of instruction and communication is German
• students who already have a language scholarship for Germany for 2026
• former students who have already started studying at a university
• students who are already of legal age (18 or older).

• Contact your local Goethe-Institut to register for the Nationale Deutscholympiade. Each country is responsible for organizing its Nationale Deutscholympiade in detail, so we cannot provide any universally applicable information here.
• Nationale Deutscholympiade can sign up for the Internationale Deutscholympiade at a Goethe-Institut or Goethe-Institut liaison office abroad.