The Rice University Urban Sustainability Hackathon

Overview

The Rice University Urban Sustainability Hackathon is an online competition focusing on how US cities can optimize their sustainability performance for hosting large sporting and general events, specifically leveraging the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a case study. Participants will address the high-level problem of resource optimization within urban environments during mega-events. The hackathon features four distinct tracks: Transportation & Access, Energy–Food–Water Nexus, Public Health & the Built Environment, and High Intensity Corridors & Future Growth Districts. Each track presents a specific challenge related to urban planning, resource management, public health, or economic development, encouraging teams to develop innovative solutions tailored to these areas. Teams will utilize the UNLEASH Innovation Methodology, guided by UNLEASH Secretariat members and Facilitators, to frame detailed problem statements, ideate, and prototype solutions using a user-centered design approach. The objective is to help US cities transition from baseline understanding to actionable ideas for sustainable event hosting. The competition culminates in teams pitching their solution ideas and developing interactive data visualizations that demonstrate how urban sustainability strategies could impact citywide outcomes. Successful participants will have the opportunity to join the UNLEASH international community of sustainability tech practitioners.

What to build

Participants must develop a solution idea that helps US cities optimize their sustainability performance while hosting large events, specifically for FIFA World Cup 2026. This includes creating an interactive data visualization that reveals how urban sustainability strategies could affect citywide outcomes based on one of four chosen tracks: Transportation & Access, Energy–Food–Water Nexus, Public Health & the Built Environment, or High Intensity Corridors & Future Growth Districts. The visualization should combine data with clear maps, charts, and scenario comparisons to enable decision-makers and residents to explore tradeoffs, identify priority areas, and understand the measurable impact of proposed interventions over time.

Prizes

Key dates

• Kick Off 2-Day In-person WorkshopJune 23-24, 2026 (8am-5pm each day)
• Submission DeadlineSeptember 18, 2026 @ 12:45am EDT

Eligibility

Participants must be 18 years of age or older and currently enrolled college students. A team of 2 to 6 members is required. Companies and professional organizations are excluded from participation. The hackathon is open to residents of the US only.

How to enter

1. Register each team member for the Hack, ensuring each team member uses the same team name via the provided Google Form: https://forms.gle/NoxbyzFEiFFiaZsp7
2. Develop a solution idea that helps US cities optimize sustainability performance for FIFA World Cup 2026 events.
3. Develop an interactive data visualization that reveals how urban sustainability strategies could affect citywide outcomes based on your chosen track, combining data with clear maps, charts, and scenario comparisons.
4. Pitch your solution idea.
5. Submit your deliverables by the deadline.

Submission requirements

• Pitch a solution idea that helps US cities optimize their sustainability performance while hosting large events, specifically for FIFA World Cup 2026 events.
• Develop an interactive data visualization that reveals how urban sustainability strategies could affect citywide outcomes based on your chosen track.
• The data visualization should combine data with clear maps, charts, and scenario comparisons, enabling decision-makers and residents to explore tradeoffs, identify priority areas, and understand the measurable impact of proposed interventions over time.

Judging criteria

• Impact: Does the solution improve sustainability, resilience, public health, mobility, resource efficiency, economic development, or quality of life?
• Data Analytics: How effectively are Data used? Are methods statistically sound, spatially accurate, and supported by evidence? Does the team demonstrate strong analytical reasoning?
• Innovation: Does the project introduce a novel approach, insight, model, visualization, classification system, or decision-support tool? Does it move beyond conventional solutions?
• Feasibility/Implementation: Can the solution realistically be implemented by cities, agencies, venue operators, transportation providers, developers, or event organizers?
• Legacy: Does the solution create benefits beyond FIFA 2026? Does it support long-term environmental, social, economic, or resilience outcomes?
• Visualization: Are dashboards, maps, models, and visualizations clear, compelling, and useful for decision-makers?
• Presentation/Pitch: Was the solution effectively communicated? Did the team clearly explain the challenge, methodology, findings, and recommendations?

Sponsors & partners

Resources

• Full Rules
• Hackathon Registration Form (Team Members)
• Kick Off Workshop Registration Form
• Email Hackathon Manager