TRAINING EVENTS
EVENT | DATES AND TIMES (EASTERN TIME)
(Dates are subject to change.)
| DESCRIPTION |
Exhibition Round
(Recruiting and Practice)
| June 3 - August 24, 2026
Start: June 3 @ 9:00 AM ET
End: August 24 @ 11:59 PM ET
*Images and download instructions are emailed to coaches of registered teams by 5:00 PM ET the day before round start date.
| Practice and Recruiting. All teams may participate. Only Coaches must be registered.
|
Training Round 1
(Basic-Level Images)
| September 3 - October 5, 2026
Start: September 3 @ 9:00 AM ET
End: October 5 @ 11:59 PM ET
*Images and download instructions are emailed to coaches of registered teams by 5:00 PM ET the day before round start date.
| Answer keys are available in the ReadMe file. All teams may participate. Only Coaches must be registered.
|
Sneak Preview
(Optional Test)
| September 24, 2026
(1 Day Only)
Start: 9:00 AM ET
End: 9:00 PM ET
| Practice/Test New Software
One Day - No Alternate Dates
Scores do not count toward competition.
All teams may participate. Only Coaches must be registered.
|
Practice Round
(Critical)
| October 7 - October 20, 2026
Start: October 7 @ 9:00 AM ET
End: October 20 @ 11:59 PM ET
*Images and download instructions are emailed to coaches of registered teams by 5:00 PM ET the day before round start date.
| The software is updated, and teams must test at least one image to ensure no problems accessing the images for the competition. Re-release of training images with answer keys available.
Scores do not count toward competition.
All teams may participate. Only Coaches must be registered.
|
Competition Dates and times
NEW: all competition periods will be four hours LONG.
(dates are Tentative - May be subject to change)
Teams may compete during the following times on competition weekends. All times are US Eastern Time.
- Thursday, 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM ET
- Friday, 9:00 AM - 11:59 PM ET
- Saturday, 8:00 AM - 11:59 PM ET
- Sunday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET
Please refer to Chapter 4 of the CYBERPATRIOT RULES BOOK for procedures concerning severe weather and emergencies.
(NOTE: Scheduling conflicts are not considered emergencies)
ROUND | Dates | Description |
Round 1
(All Open and All Service Division teams participate) | October 22 - 25, 2026
5:00 PM ET Monday prior to competition round - Image download instructions and links sent to Coaches.
9:00 AM ET 1st day of Round - StartEx email with the password to the images is sent to teams
| Tests basics of cybersecurity skills.
Note: Image answers will be released after the round is completed.
|
Round 2
Open and All Service Divisions
(All teams participate - even if they did not compete in Round 1)
Introductory Round
Middle School Division
(This is the 1st competition round for middle school teams)
| November 12 - 15, 2026
5:00 PM ET Monday before competition round - Image download instructions and links sent to Coaches.
9:00 AM ET 1st day of Round - StartEx email with the password to the images is sent to teams
| More difficult for high school teams than Round 1. The results allow teams to be divided into skill-level tiers for the State Round.
Note: Image answers will be released after the round is completed.
The Introductory Round tests the basics of cybersecurity skills.
Note: Image answers will be released after the round is completed.
|
State Round
(All teams participate. Open and All Service Division teams have a clean slate) | December 10 - 13, 2026
5:00 PM ET Monday prior to competition round - Image download instructions and links sent to Coaches.
9:00 AM ET 1st day of Round - StartEx email with the password to the images is sent to teams
| Past performance or participation in High School Rounds 1 and 2 do not count toward placement. Teams compete against other teams based on skill level for State Awards and Tier Awards. |
Semifinals
(Only teams that qualify can participate) | January 21 - 23, 2027
(3 Days only)
5:00 PM ET Monday before competition round - Image download instructions and links sent to Coaches.
9:00 AM ET 1st day of Round - StartEx email with the password to the images is sent to teams | |