LEXINGTON, Ky. March 26-27, 2026. More than 240 students from 29 universities arrived in Lexington in late March with a shared goal: solve a real-world problem using data, and do it in less than 24 hours.
By the end of the Bank of America 2026 Econ Games, teams had built and presented solutions that ranged from new data-driven tools to innovative applications within the horse racing industry, demonstrating the kind of fast, applied thinking that defines the competition.
The event, hosted by the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, continues to grow as one of the largest undergraduate economics competitions in the country.
“This year, we had 29 universities participate, with over 240 students competing,” said Darshak Patel, director of undergraduate studies and assistant professor of economics at the Gatton College of Business and Economics who co-founded and now helps lead the competition. “The geographic and institutional diversity continues to grow, which is a strong indicator of the competition’s national reach.”
At its core, the Econ Games are designed to give students something traditional coursework cannot fully replicate: a chance to apply economics in real time using real data.
Unlike hypothetical case studies, this year’s challenge centered on a dataset provided by Equibase, the official database for horse racing in North America. Students worked with both traditional race metrics and advanced GPS tracking data to design tools that could generate new insights and make race analysis more accessible.
“Our data partners are critical to the success of the Econ Games,” Patel said. “When companies show enthusiasm and commitment, it validates the students’ work and builds confidence in their future as part of the workforce.”
“We were proud to partner with the Econ Games and provide each team with a comprehensive data set that included both traditional and GPS-generated metrics,” said Kyle McDoniel, president and COO for Equibase. “This competition provided these incredibly bright students with an opportunity to learn about racing and utilize that the data to develop new products. It was so impressive to see the creativity and the well-executed ideas they presented, all within a 24-hour period.”
After a competitive final round, the top teams were:
1st place: Berea College
2nd place: Denison University
3rd place: University of Cincinnati
For students, the experience is intense by design.
Participants are given a problem with no template, no prior examples and limited time to develop a solution, analyze data and present their findings to judges.
“It’s an internship for a day,” said Abdullah Al-Bahrani, associate professor of economics at Northern Kentucky University and a UK Ph.D. alumnus and co-founder of the event. “Students are challenged to show what they’ve learned, but more importantly, they develop transferable skills—critical thinking, communication, adaptability and emotional intelligence.”
That pressure forces students to work differently.
“They have no time to waste,” Al-Bahrani said. “They have to figure out how to work together, handle conflict and communicate their ideas clearly.”
Patel describes the experience more simply: “The Amazing Race, but with your brain.”
The competition’s growth is driven not just by participation numbers, but by a network of faculty and institutions that continue to return each year.
Daria Sevastianova, associate professor of economics at the University of Southern Indiana, has brought students to the Econ Games for six consecutive years.
“The Econ Games are always evolving—never boring,” Sevastianova said. “On the drive home, my students were already discussing their strategy for next year.”
She said the experience has become one of the most valuable components of her students’ education.
“This is the type of experiential learning that adds value to a college degree,” she said. “Students become economists for two days.”
That value extends beyond the classroom. Students build technical skills, but also develop teamwork, creativity and resilience—qualities that carry into internships, job interviews and careers.
For University of Kentucky students, the competition offers a chance to apply what they’ve learned while working alongside peers from across the country.
Michael Wheeler, a senior majoring in finance, economics and management from Louisville, KY, said the experience pushed him to think in new ways.
“The Econ Games pushed me to think in ways I never had before and opened my eyes to just how much you can do with an economics background,” he said.
Wheeler’s team developed a concept that combined real-time data and prediction markets to modernize the horse racing experience.
“This competition gave me a different way of looking at an economics degree,” said Hannah Sullivan, an economics major from Charleston, WV. “I was unaware of the wide range of opportunities available—graduates with this degree work in all different fields.”
Sullivan's team created an app inspired by fantasy football that encouraged friendly competition among friends in hopes of attracting a younger generation. While UK did not place in the top five this year, the program fielded three teams and involved 36 students, reflecting continued growth and interest within the college.
The 2026 competition also marked a milestone for the program with its first-ever four-year participant, Dylan Fogt who competed in the Econ Games throughout his entire undergraduate career. As the event has grown, it has increasingly become something students return to year after year—building on past experiences.
The introduction of Bank of America as the naming partner marks another step in the competition’s evolution, signaling increased visibility and long-term growth potential.
For organizers, the future of the Econ Games is less about scale alone and more about community.
“What excites me most is the community we are building,” Patel said. “Community leads to networks, and networks create opportunities—for students, faculty and businesses alike.”
With plans already underway for the 2027 competition, the Econ Games continue to expand their reach while maintaining their core purpose: giving students a chance to apply what they know in a setting that feels real.
And for those who participate, that experience often leaves a lasting impression.
“It brought me so many new friendships and professional connections,” said Sullivan. “This is such a great way to connect an economics major to real life problems.”
“Just do it,” Wheeler said. “You’ll leave with a sharper perspective on what economics can do—and more importantly, you’ll leave with new connections.”
