The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics is proud to host The Econ Games 2026, happening March 26–27, 2026 in Lexington, KY.
Established in collaboration with NKU Haile College of Business, Econ Games is a forward-thinking experiential learning program that aims to connect academic knowledge with practical application in economics. Since its inception in 2018, the program has gathered undergraduate students from various institutions to analyze real-world data, address policy-relevant issues, and present their findings to industry and nonprofit organizations.
Originally launched as a modest competition, Econ Games has grown into a multi-university initiative involving hundreds of students each year, supported by academic advisors and community partners throughout the nation.
This year's competition will include its largest cohort to date, with participation from 30 schools nationwide (27 currently confirmed). Students will collaborate in teams to address economic and business challenges, establishing the event as a premier collaborative program for economics students.
The Econ Games is made possible by generous support from the data sponsors. Their involvement not only supports the competition but also gives students a direct bridge to industry leaders and future opportunities. We are excited to announce our 2026 Econ Games data sponsor is, Equibase.
Equibase Company LLC, a partnership between TRA and The Jockey Club subsidiaries, was established in 1991 to create a unified Thoroughbred racing database for North America. Since 1998, Equibase has been the exclusive provider of racing data to the Daily Racing Form.
“The Econ Games exemplify what we value most at Gatton — bringing together bright minds to solve real-world challenges with data, creativity, and collaboration. It’s inspiring to see students from across the country showcase their talent and teamwork, and I’m proud that Gatton is helping prepare the next generation of leaders in economics and business.” — said Simon Sheather, Dean of the Gatton College of Business
“Equibase is excited to be the data sponsor for the 2026 Econ Games here in Lexington. Horse racing is a data rich sport and coupling the energy and expertise these students possess with the rich data we have as the official source of data for Thoroughbred racing can help bring a new perspective as we all work together to bring improvements to the sport.” — Kyle McDoniel, President and Chief Operating Officer, Equibase
“As one of the co-founders of The Econ Games, I am continually inspired by the dedication of our students and faculty advisors bring to the competition each year. Watching teams collaborate to tackle real-world economic challenges and present innovative solutions is truly rewarding. The growth of this event, from a small competition to a nationwide initiative, reflects the passion of everyone involved, including our partners and supporters. I am proud to see how The Econ Games continues to empower students and foster meaningful connections between academia and industry.” — Dr. Darshak Patel, Assistant Professor of Economics, Gatton College of Business and Economics.
Representing universities from all over the country, The Econ Games 2026 will feature student teams from:
Join the conversation and follow along by following The Econ Games on Facebook and Instagram! Event updates, student highlights, and results will be shared throughout the competition.
For more information, visit https://www.theecongames.com/
