Every year, the University of Amsterdam hosts the Econometric Game, one of the most prestigious projects organized by the study association for Actuarial Science, Econometrics & Operational Research (VSAE) of the University of Amsterdam.
The participating universities are expected to send delegations of four students majoring in econometrics or relevant studies, with a maximum of two PhD students. The teams are given a case study, which they must solve within two days. After these two days, the ten teams with the best solutions continue to day three. On the third day, the finalists have to solve a second case, while the other teams can go sightseeing in Amsterdam. After the teams have explored the city, the Econometric Game Congress takes place. There are various interesting lecturers who will speak about the case and the econometric methods necessary for solving it. The solutions will be reviewed by a jury of qualified and independent professors, who will announce the winner of the Game.
February, 1999
The first Econometric Game, organized by the VSAE, took place in Amsterdam with teams from the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam. The University of Amsterdam emerged as the winner.
2000 – 2001
The Game expanded, welcoming more Dutch universities and its first international team from Belgium in 2001. By 2002, it had participants from Belgium, France, and Denmark, with the University of Gent as the first international winner.
2006 – 2010
The event grew to three days, adding a finalist round and the Econometric Game Congress in 2010. In 2009, teams from three continents participated for the first time.
2012 – Present
Now dubbed the “World Championship of Econometrics,” the Game annually attracts 30 universities, delivering impactful cases and maintaining its prestigious status.
In 2026, we proudly welcomed 30 top universities from around the globe to Amsterdam for the Econometric Game. These teams represented some of the brightest and most ambitious students in econometrics and data science, coming together to solve a challenging and highly relevant case.
The 2027 case focused on “Forecasting Electricity Prices in the Danish Energy Market”, a pressing issue at the intersection of renewable energy and financial trading. Teams were tasked with developing forecasting models for hourly spot electricity prices in Denmark’s DK1 price zone — both for the short-term horizon of the first week of 2024 and for weekly averages across the full year — blending econometric expertise with real-world energy market dynamics.
More than just a competition, the Econometric Game fostered international collaboration. Students from diverse cultures and academic backgrounds exchanged ideas, learned from each other, and tackled real-world problems together.
After two intense days of problem-solving, the participating teams submitted their solutions, which were carefully evaluated by a distinguished jury of professors. The top ten teams then advanced to the final round, where they tackled a second case and presented their results to an audience of peers and experts.
The 2026 final showcased sharp analyses, insightful approaches, and true teamwork. We congratulate the following top teams for their outstanding performance:
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid for securing the victory — and to all participants for making the 2026 Econometric Game a memorable celebration of talent, innovation, and global collaboration.
We look forward to seeing where the incredible talent showcased in 2026 will take the future of econometrics and data science.
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University of Amsterdam; Roetersstraat 11, Room E1.32 , 1018 WB Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Econometric Game Committee 2025
Email: econometricgame@vsae.nl
+ 31 20 525 4134
Mon - Fri, 9:00-17:00