Hi everyone!

DragonByte is back.

Last year was the pilot run. We wanted to see whether we could build a serious competitive programming contest with good problems, fair testing, and an onsite final worth bringing people to Bratislava for.

It worked. So we are doing it again.

Wincent’s DragonByte is for people who like algorithmic problems, ICPC-style contests, and the satisfying moment when a clean solution finally passes.

The contest is organized by Wincent together with misof and his team of experienced competitive programming organizers. The goal is simple: make the problems fun, challenging, and well prepared.

The 2026 format:

• Registration is open until June 27.

• Qualification round: June 26–27. A 48-hour online round where you can get familiar with the format, solve problems, and qualify by reaching the required point threshold.

• Main online round: July 17. A 3-hour ICPC/Codeforces-style contest.

• Onsite finals: September, Bratislava, Slovakia. The TOP 20 participants will be invited.

A change since last year: The first two rounds are now open to everyone! Onsite finals eligibility is still restricted (essentially, to adults from Europe). The exact eligibility criteria, rules, and legal details are available on the website.

What’s in it for you?

If you qualify for the onsite finals, we will help with travel and accommodation up to €400.

The top prizes are:

• 1st place: €10,000

• 2nd place: €5,000

• 3rd place: €2,500

So, if you want a reason to stretch your algorithmic muscles, join us: https://www.wincentdragonbyte.com

See you in the contest.