Saudi Arabia wins bid to host 2027 Physics Olympiad as team earns 5 awards

BUCARAMANGA, Colombia — Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the 57th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2027), as the Saudi Physics Team concluded this year’s competition with five international awards at the 56th edition held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The five awards earned this year followed an intensive preparation journey through Mawhiba’s International Olympiad Program. Students first qualified through the National Science and Mathematics Olympiad (NSMO) before progressing through a series of specialized training camps and programs, culminating in an intensive training phase led by a select group of local and international experts. The Kingdom’s bid to host the 2027 edition was approved by the International Olympiad Council during the event, which took place from July 4 to 12 and brought together 381 students representing 87 countries. Saudi Arabia is also preparing to host the third International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO 2026) in Jeddah from Aug. 2 to 9. The successful bid builds on Saudi Arabia’s growing track record of hosting major international science Olympiads. It follows the Kingdom’s successful organization of the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad in Riyadh in July 2024, which brought together 333 students from 90 countries, and the 25th Asian Physics Olympiad in Dhahran in May 2025, which welcomed 240 students representing 30 Asian countries. Winning the bid reflects the international scientific community’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s organizational capabilities and advanced knowledge infrastructure. The achievement also aligns with the Kingdom’s Human Capability Development Program, which emphasizes investing in people and building a knowledge- and innovation-based economy. Saudi Arabia has participated in the International Physics Olympiad since 2011, with its students earning 30 international medals and 22 honorable mentions through Mawhiba’s International Olympiads Program. The International Physics Olympiad sees each participating country field a team of five students who compete in both theoretical and experimental examinations, each lasting five hours, under rigorous scientific standards set by the International Olympiad Council.