Cal Hacks12.0

OCTOBER 23–25, 2026 · UC BERKELEY

Three days to build something that matters.

Cal Hacks brings nine hundred students to Berkeley for the largest collegiate hackathon in the world. Hardware, teams, mentors, and thirty-six hours on the clock.

Apply now

Applications close October 2

01

Hacker

Build something over a weekend with a team of up to four. Open to any student, whether this is your first hackathon or your fifteenth.

Apply as a hacker

02

Mentor

Sit with teams when they get stuck. Bring a stack you know well and the patience to explain it twice.

Apply as a mentor

03

Judge

Meet the teams at the end of the weekend and help decide what stands out. Expect a long afternoon of demos.

Apply as a judge

04

Volunteer

Run check-in, keep the space alive, and make sure nine hundred people get fed on time. No experience needed.

Apply as a volunteer

Key dates

  1. AUG 24

    Applications open

  2. SEP 18

    Priority deadline

  3. OCT 2

    Applications close

  4. OCT 9

    Decisions released

  5. OCT 23–25

    Cal Hacks 12.0