The Kingdom won the bid to host the 57th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2027) scheduled to be held next year, after the International Olympiad Council approved the Saudi hosting file during the proceedings of the 56th edition currently being held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with the participation of elite secondary school students from around the world.

Its first edition launched in 1967 in Poland.

This victory comes after its success in organizing the 56th International Chemistry Olympiad in Riyadh in July 2024 with the participation of 333 students from 90 countries, and the 25th Asian Physics Olympiad in Dhahran during May 2025 with the participation of 240 students representing 30 Asian countries.

The Kingdom is also preparing to host the third edition of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO 2026) in Jeddah from August 2 to 9 of next year; this solidifies the Kingdom's position as a reliable global destination for hosting international scientific events.

This reflects the international scientific community's confidence in the Kingdom's organizational capabilities and advanced knowledge structure, and translates the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program in investing in people and building a knowledge- and innovation-based economy. The hosting will serve as a platform to highlight the scientific and developmental momentum the Kingdom is witnessing.

The Kingdom has been participating in the International Physics Olympiad since 2011, represented by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education. Through its previous participations, it has achieved 30 international medals and 22 certificates of appreciation, as part of the Mawhiba International Olympiad Program aimed at preparing gifted students and enabling them to compete in international scientific forums.

The International Physics Olympiad, which first launched in 1967 in the Polish capital Warsaw, is the oldest international scientific competition for secondary school students in physics. Each country participates with a team of five students who take a theoretical and a practical test, each lasting five hours, according to precise scientific standards adopted by the International Olympiad Council.