Exciting Times Ahead for the National Elementary School Programming Contest Zero-One Grand Slam 2026

The Excitement of Zero-One Grand Slam 2026 Begins

The National Elementary School Programming Contest, known as the Zero-One Grand Slam, is finally here, and it’s bigger than ever! This event, organized by the Junior Programming Promotion Organization and run by the Zero-One Grand Slam Executive Committee, is now entering its fifth year. If you're interested in programming and are in elementary school, this is your chance to shine!

WEB Pre-Qualification Details

The online pre-qualifications started on May 15, 2026, and will run until June 14, 2026. During this period, students can participate as many times as they wish, allowing them to refine their programming skills using the popular visual programming language, Scratch. With no entry fees, this event is designed to encourage all elementary school students, whether you're a beginner or looking to showcase your skills. Accessing the competition from anywhere in the country has never been easier, thanks to its online nature.

Group Entry Options

Building on last year's success, group entries are also available this year. This allows programming schools or clubs to register their members collectively without requiring individual entries from each student. However, parental consent is necessary for each participant in the group. For detailed information on how to apply for group entries, please visit the official Zero-One Grand Slam website.

Thrilling Second Round

The excitement continues as the top performers from the WEB pre-qualification and the first online round will meet for the heated second round. There, competitors will engage in both visual programming challenges and robotics competitions, with the best of the best advancing to the finals on September 27, 2026.

Second Round Venue Details

- Kansai Venue

Date: August 16, 2026
Location: Osaka Sunrise Building 2nd Floor Hall C, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

- Kanto Venue

Date: August 22, 2026
Location: YAMAHA MOTOR Regenerative Lab, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Sponsors Make It Possible

This year's competition features an impressive lineup of sponsors including Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Cygames, further enhancing the experience and opportunity for young participants. Additionally, support from the Ministry of Education and local education boards highlights the significance of programming education and the nurturing of young programmers.

Zero-One Grand Slam 2026 Overview

The Zero-One Grand Slam is a nationwide programming competition open to all elementary school students. The WEB pre-qualifications and the first round are conducted online, allowing for numerous attempts to better skills over time. Once students progress beyond the preliminaries and first rounds, the competition shifts to real venues for some heated battles among the top contenders.

Key Dates

- WEB Pre-Qualification: May 15, 2026 - June 14, 2026 (online)
- First Round: July 12, 2026 (online)
- Second Round:

- Kansai Venue: August 16, 2026
- Kanto Venue: August 22, 2026

- Final Round: September 27, 2026

Location: Tokyo Big Sight, Koto City, Tokyo
Event: GOOD LIFE Fair 2026

Participation Fees

Entry to the contest is completely free of charge.

Eligibility for Entry

- Open to elementary school students learning programming (born between April 2, 2014, and April 1, 2020).
- Participants must be able to attend the second round at the venue.

For registration and further details, please visit the official website. We look forward to seeing you there!

Stay Updated

To keep up with the latest updates regarding the event, follow our official accounts on social media. You can also watch the archived videos from the 2025 finals on our official YouTube channel, showcasing the intense battles that took place.

Official Links: