GET READY FOR 2026

The 14th edition of the HIPPO Contest will take place in 2026, and we are excited to welcome students and schools from around the world. With a vast network of country coordinators across more than 70 countries, students from all corners of the globe are encouraged to participate. 

Hippo the Contest is open to non-native English speakers in search of a new challenge, invaluable experience and life-long friendships

CEFR-benchmarked English contest, 73 countries, 14-year history, 555,314 global students. 4 rounds: Preliminary (10 May 2026, 9-10:30AM) - National (29-30 May, by invite) - Regional Qualifier Asia (Jul, Thailand) - World Finals Assisi Italy (12-15 Oct 2026). Regular Category (Thai curriculum) & Special Category (EP/International). 14 levels Baby Hippo to Hippo S5. Group registration min 25 via school.

ELIGIBILITY : To participate in the contest, students in kindergarten, primary, or secondary schools

HIPPO categories refer by grade and school program:

Regular Category: General Thai Program
Description:

This category is exclusively for students enrolled in the standard Thai National Curriculum. It primarily covers students from the Regular Program and Mini English Program (MEP) who study most core subjects in Thai.

Eligibility Criteria:

- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a government or private school following the Thai National Curriculum.

- Applicants must not have a parent who is a native English speaker.

- Applicants must not have resided or studied in a country where English is the primary language for more than [3-6 months].

Exclusion Criteria:

- Applicants must not be enrolled in an English Program (EP) or International School.

- Applicants must not be enrolled in any program (regardless of its name) where major subjects (e.g., Mathematics, Science) are taught in English or where English instruction constitutes 50% or more of the total class time.

Special Category: English & International Program
Description: 
This category is an open competition for students with advanced English proficiency. It welcomes students from the English Program (EP), Intensive English Program (IEP), and International Schools.

Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to students enrolled in English Programs (EP/IEP) or International Schools.
- Open to students who have one or both parents as native English speakers.
- Open to students who have resided or studied abroad in English-speaking countries.

Students eligible for Category Special may choose to compete in this category if they wish to challenge themselves (but Category Special students cannot compete in Category Regular).

Note: The committee reserves the right to reclassify participants to the appropriate category if their educational background or English proficiency exceeds the criteria for the General Thai Program.