Apple has officially opened submissions for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge, giving young developers in Canada and around the world a chance to showcase their coding skills.
Students have until February 28 to submit an “app playground” created using Swift Playgrounds or Xcode. The competition is designed to be accessible for everyone, and Apple confirms that no prior coding experience is needed to enter.
The challenge is free and open to students who meet Apple’s eligibility requirements, which generally include being enrolled in an accredited school or a STEM program. Participants must create an interactive app experience that can be explored in three minutes or less.
Apple encourages students to focus on topics they are passionate about. Whether it is solving a local problem or sharing a personal hobby, the best entries often come from unique personal experiences. To build your app, you will need a Mac or an iPad with the latest version of Xcode or Swift Playgrounds.
Apple expects to name 350 winners this year. All winners will receive a year of membership in the Apple Developer Program and a special gift, which in past years has included exclusive apparel and AirPods Max.
From that group, 50 ‘Distinguished Winners’ will be selected for their outstanding innovation and creativity. These top performers will receive an all-expenses-paid invitation to Apple Park in Cupertino, California, for a three-day experience this summer, which traditionally coincides with the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
For Canadian students looking to get a head start, Apple has released new tutorials on SwiftUI and machine learning to help turn app ideas into reality before the end of the month.
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