NASA Space Apps TorontoToronto · Nov 14–15, 2026
Join WIA-Canada at NASA Space Apps Challenge Toronto 2026, the Toronto chapter of the world’s largest annual global hackathon. It is free, it runs for 48 hours, and it is open to all skill levels.
- Dates
- Nov 14–15, 2026Saturday and Sunday
- Format
- 48-hour hackathonTeams of up to six
- Where
- Bombardier Centre, Downsview65 Carl Hall Rd, Toronto
- Admission
- FreeAll skill levels welcome
Forty-eight hours, real NASA data
The NASA Space Apps Challenge is the largest annual global hackathon, running across more than four hundred and fifty local locations worldwide plus a virtual track. The 2026 theme is The Next Frontier.
Over one weekend, teams of up to six use NASA’s publicly available open datasets and satellite imagery to build solutions to real problems in space science and Earth observation. Projects are judged locally and the strongest can go forward for global consideration.
The Toronto chapter expects more than three hundred and fifty participants: students, creators, scientists, engineers, designers, data scientists and storytellers, working alongside mentors from the aerospace and tech sectors. Participation is free and explicitly open to all skill levels, which makes it one of the best on-ramps into the space sector we know of.
Free, forty-eight hours, real NASA data, and no requirement to have done this before.
Inside Space Apps Toronto 2025
A look back at last year’s edition, the largest NASA Space Apps event in Canada.
Challenge highlights
A two-day hackathon: open NASA data and a room full of people building. Here is what to expect.
The Next Frontier
The 2026 global theme, running across 450+ local locations and a virtual track.
See the challenges →NASA open data
Teams work with NASA’s publicly available datasets and satellite imagery.
Explore the data →350+ participants
Students, creators, scientists, engineers, designers, data scientists and storytellers.
Who takes part →Mentors on site
Working alongside mentors drawn from the aerospace and technology sectors.
Mentor info →Global awards
Toronto’s top teams go on to NASA’s global round, with ten Global Awards announced in January 2027.
What you can win →Free, all skill levels
No cost, no prerequisites, and teams of up to six people.
Register now →From Toronto to the Global Awards
Every project built in Toronto is in the running for NASA’s global competition. Here is how a weekend in Toronto can turn into a NASA Global Award.
Toronto awards · Nov 15
Local judges pick Toronto’s winners on Day 2 and nominate the strongest projects as Global Nominees. In 2025, a Toronto team went on to win Best Use of Technology and was featured by NASA.
Space Apps Toronto →Global judging · Dec 2026
Global Nominees are reviewed by experts from NASA and its Space Agency Partners. Global Finalists and Honorable Mentions are announced in December 2026.
How global judging works →Global Winners · Jan 2027
Ten Global Awards: Best Use of Science, Best Use of Data, Best Use of Technology, Galactic Impact, Best Mission Concept, Most Inspirational, Best Use of Storytelling, Global Connection, Art & Technology and Local Impact. Global Winners are celebrated by NASA, and in past years have been invited to visit a NASA center. Every participant receives a certificate.
The Global Awards →Event information
Get directions →Four ways in
Build with a team, or help the weekend run. Mentors, judges and volunteers are what make the Toronto chapter work.
Register
Join 350+ students, creators and scientists for 48 hours of building with NASA open data. Free, all skill levels, teams of up to six.
Register to build →Become a Mentor
Coach student and community teams on data, engineering, design or storytelling. Flexible shifts, in person or remote.
Apply as a mentor →Become a Judge
Review final projects on Day 2 and help choose the Toronto teams nominated for NASA global judging.
Apply as a judge →Become a Volunteer
Support registration, logistics, media and participant experience across the weekend. No space background needed.
Apply as a volunteer →Ways to work with us
If Space Apps is where we meet, here is what can come next. Reach out any time. We’d love to hear from you.
Corporate membership
Bring your organization alongside ours and collaborate on initiatives across the year. Our corporate membership brochure has the full details.
View the brochure →Volunteer with us
Help run events, mentor, or build chapter activity in your city. It is the quickest way to get to know the people doing this work.
Apply to volunteer →Become a member
Join a national network of students and professionals across Canadian aerospace. Learn about member rates and programs on our website.
Join now →See you at Space Apps
Free to enter, open to every skill level, and forty-eight hours with real NASA data. If you have been waiting for a way into the space sector, this is it.
Register for Toronto →