Apple Announces Dates for 2026 : Apple has officially announced that applications for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge will open in February next year. The global coding competition, held annually, is one of Apple’s most anticipated education and developer outreach programs. It invites students from around the world to display their creativity and programming talent by building interactive app playgrounds using Apple’s tools and frameworks. To inspire future applicants, the company has also highlighted some notable past winners whose projects have grown into full-fledged apps and meaningful technology solutions.
Submissions Open February 6, 2026 — 3 Weeks to Apply
In a newsroom update, Apple confirmed that submissions for the Swift Student Challenge will open on February 6, 2026. Students will have three weeks to submit their work, with the deadline set for February 28, 2026.
The challenge is designed to encourage student developers to use tools like Xcode and Swift Playgrounds to create unique app playgrounds. Apple says the focus is not only on technical ability, but also originality, usability, problem-solving, and creativity.
To assist participants in preparing, Apple will offer:
- Updated “Develop in Swift” tutorials
- Meet with Apple virtual coding sessions
- Additional learning resources focused on app design and user experience
These resources are aimed at helping students enhance their coding abilities while also learning how to build projects that feel polished and meaningful.
Winners Can Earn a Special Trip to Apple’s Cupertino Campus
Like previous years, winners will be chosen based on innovation, creativity, social impact, and inclusivity demonstrated in their projects. Apple will also select a smaller group of Distinguished Winners, who will receive an exclusive three-day visit to Apple’s campus in Cupertino, California.
This special experience traditionally includes:
- Workshops with Apple engineers and designers
- Hands-on labs with Apple technologies
- Guided tours of Apple Park
- Access to WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) activities
This invitation has become one of the most sought-after opportunities for young developers interested in software engineering or tech entrepreneurship.
Apple Highlights Past Winners to Inspire New Participants
Alongside the announcement, Apple spotlighted three previous winners whose projects have continued to grow and evolve.
One of them is Brayden Gogis, who won the challenge in 2019 with Solisquare, a card-based strategy game. The app has since been released on the App Store and gained a positive player community. Gogis later developed a new app called Joybox, a social sharing platform that allows users to collaborate on photo albums, stories, and music playlists that can be opened together at a chosen date and time.
Another highlighted winner is Adrit Rao, known for his app Signer. Signer uses Core ML, Apple’s on-device machine learning framework, to translate sign language gestures into spoken words. The app is designed to make real-time communication more accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Apple also featured Sofia Sandoval, whose winning project Cariño offers a personalized approach to digital greeting cards. Sofia designed all card templates herself using Procreate on iPad with Apple Pencil, blending art and programming to create an app focused on emotional expression.
These examples reflect the type of creativity and impact that Apple encourages through the challenge.
Eligibility Requirements for Students
To apply for the Swift Student Challenge, students must meet Apple’s eligibility guidelines. Applicants must be:
- Above the minimum age required in their country
- Currently enrolled in an accredited school, college, university, or official homeschool equivalent
OR - Have graduated within the past 90 days
OR - Be enrolled in an Apple Developer Academy
The challenge is open globally, allowing students from various educational and cultural backgrounds to participate.
More Apple Developer Updates Rolling Out
In addition to the student challenge, Apple is currently testing new developer tools through the iOS 26.2 developer beta, including new features focused on safety and user protection. The beta is expected to introduce improvements related to content moderation, parental controls, and device security, although Apple has not confirmed specific release timelines.
A Growing Community of Young Innovators
Over the years, Apple’s Swift Student Challenge has become more than just a competition — it has evolved into a platform that supports young programmers looking to begin careers in software development, product design, and digital innovation. For many past winners, the challenge has served as a stepping stone to publishing apps, building startups, or pursuing advanced technology education.
With submissions opening early next year, Apple is encouraging students to begin planning their ideas now. Whether the goal is to solve a real-world problem or simply create something creative and fun, the Swift Student Challenge remains a major opportunity for student developers to shine on a global stage.
