Competitions

The following are the most advanced international mental math competitions.

Mental Calculation World Cup

Organized in Germany every 2 years by Ralf Laue. Around 40 of the top calculators of all ages compete in standard and surprise events.

Previous events:

Next event: currently unknown but will be after 2026 and might be in a different country. The organizers are open to collaboration with venues and volunteers who might want to help organize the next event.

Participants preparing for the 2018 Mental Calculation World Cup
Contestants at the 2018 Mental Calculation World Cup

Junior Mental Calculation World Championship

Organized every autumn in Germany by Caroline Merkel, and is open to all competitors up to 19 years old with an interest in Mental Math.

Previous events: (See also official website)

Next event: September 2027

I also have a selection of free resources for participants preparing for the JMCWC.

Mind Sports Olympiad

This board games and mind sports festival is held:

  • every August in London; and
  • every February/March online (the “Grand Prix”)

The Mental Calculations World Championship used to be part of the London event, consisting of a written exam lasting 3 hours 30 mins. From 2020, it has had an online format with synchronous questions, accepting around 100 participants each year from around the world.

Recent events:

Next event: postponed due to technical issues with the software we used to rely on. Hopefully soon!

The Mind Sports Olympiad contains a very wide range of other events, from competitive memory, backgammon, experimental board games, and even diving chess!

GMCA Mental Calculation League

A new online tournament—open to all ages—allows participants to compete head-to-head against others around the world in weekly competitions, in a wide variety of tasks. Successful competitors may also compete in their favourite category (for example, 8-digit multiplication) in a separate contest.

  • First event: Season 1 concluded in June 2024
  • Next event: Season 5 is open now (November 2026) for registration

Mental Math World Cup

This online app-based competition is simpler to prepare for than the other events on this page, but includes 1000s of simultaneous competitors internationally. It is open to everyone from age 6+ to adults (in separate age categories) and the team provides resources specifically for the types of question in their competition.

Memoriad

The “Olympics” of Mind Sports, held every 4 years, each time in a different international destination. This event is open to all ages, and participants can choose from various Mental Calculation and Memory categories.