COMPETITION OVERVIEW

HOW THE TCO
COMPETITION WORKS

Compete at Topcoder. Earn points. Rise on the leaderboard. Repeat. One overall leaderboard, three stages to qualify for, and six tracks of competition all at the ready to give you the chance to be the next TCO Champion winning $10,000 in prizes! First you must become a Topcoder member and then just start competing! The competition is free but you must be a member who is 18 years or older, as well as meet all eligibility criteria, in order to participate.

All TCO - eligible challenges are marked so you won’t ever miss a chance to earn points. See this visual “how to compete” guide to help.

New to Topcoder? Learn all about Topcoder challenges here.

TCO23 REGIONAL EVENTS

TCO also includes regional events around the world. The goal of these regional events is to bring the TCO to more Topcoder members.

Regional TCO events are one day events including competitions with prizes (for example, a hackathon), food and drink, networking opportunities, and fun.

See Recap from TCO20

What OTHER MEMBERS say about Topcoder

Slide 1 of 4

”TCO is always going to be in my top five New Year’s resolutions. Attending TCO is proof to myself that I am on the right track in achieving career freedom.”

TCO23 Competition Overview - quotes - s1 image

[iaminfinite]

Topcoder member
since 2008

”For a boy who stopped going to school after 10th standard, TCO is nothing less than a dream. I’m very nervous but I’ll give my best, because I love the bracket trophy.”

TCO23 Competition Overview - quotes - s2 image wrap

[sdeepakkumar]

Topcoder member
since 2021

“TCO is a dream annual festival for me, I don’t think I wait for anything as desperately as I do for TCO. Also, it’s one of a kind (at least for designers) which makes it even more special. The vibe, competitions, travel, and sharing time with great minds is unforgettable.”

TCO23 Competition Overview - quotes - s3 image wrap

[starck181995]

Topcoder member
since 2017

“It’s a great honor for me to compete with world-class developers and meet all the nice people behind the scenes at Topcoder”

TCO23 Competition Overview - quotes - s4 image wrap

[nursoltan-s]

Topcoder member
since 2018

TCO Onsite Finals in
the USA

The TCO Onsite Finals in the USA brings great honor and excitement to those who qualify to attend. TCO Finalists enjoy being treated like VIPs and deserve all the recognition they get.

As a TCO Finalist, you get an all-expense paid trip to the USA event, the opportunity to compete live, and become a Topcoder champion. Each year the TCO Finals are held in the USA.

TCO COMPETITIONS

The Topcoder Open encompasses most of the competition tracks offered at Topcoder.

For the 2023 Topcoder Open, points are currently available for all competition tracks. You just need to check the challenge listings page and make sure it shows the TCO23 eligibility icon.

HALL OF FAME

Check out TCO Hall of Fame for past champions and info!

HOW TO COMPETE

If you want to participate in the TCO, all you need to do is compete in a TCO-eligible contest and you’ll be automatically registered for the tournament. It’s that easy.

Please note that you must be a Topcoder member as well as meet all of the eligibility requirements posted in the TCO Rules.

PRIZES

As a Topcoder Open competitor, you’re eligible for cash prizes and non-cash prizes such as trips to the Onsite Finals and t-shirts!

Cash Prizes Distribution
Cash prizes are paid out within 60 days after the Onsite Finals event. All cash prize winners will still need to follow the usual Topcoder payment policies and procedures.

Non-Cash Prizes Distribution
Participatory prizes and non-cash prizes (such as t-shirts) will be mailed within one month following the conclusion of the Onsite Finals. Please allow up to 12 weeks for delivery.