The Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 International Academic Competitions Middle & Elementary School National Championships will take place on Thursday evening, May 21 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. There will be two separate and identical ceremonies, one from 5:30pm-6:15pm (suggested for students in 5th grade and younger and their families) and 8:15pm-9:00pm (suggested for students in 7th and 8th grade and their families); 6th graders do not have a specifically suggested ceremony. Note that there will be competitions taking place earlier that day, but by this point in the evening, many more families will have arrived in Orlando. The Opening Ceremonies will begin with the Parade of States, with each competing state and territory having an honorary flagbearer chosen as a result of their performances over the course of the 2025-26 academic year. We will then go over a few important announcements, discuss some IAC news and plans, and recognize a few newly-minted National Champions!
