When
Fall 2027
Exact dates announced soon
Friday afternoon through Saturday evening
HACK THE TRACK 2027
Save your spot for 2027.
Kentucky's high school hackathon is coming back for a third year. Sign up now to be first in line for the dates, the venue, and the registration link. It's free, open to grades 8–12, and no experience is required.
- $0
- Free to attend, meals included
- 8–12
- Grades welcome
- 2
- Days: Learnathon + Hackathon
- 3
- Tracks to choose from
Sign up in under a minute
Get on the 2027 list.
Send us your name, school, grade, and the track you're curious about. We'll reply with the dates as soon as they're locked and send you the registration link the moment it opens.
- 01
Tell us you're in
Use the sign-up button to send us your name, school, grade, and the track you're curious about. That puts you on the 2027 list.
- 02
Get the dates first
Everyone on the list hears the dates and venue before they go public, along with the registration link the moment it opens.
- 03
Join the community
Hop into the Discord to meet past participants, find teammates early, and ask the organizers anything.
What we know so far
Where
Louisville, Kentucky
Venue announced with the dates
Past venues: Story (2025), Genuine Work (2026)
Who
Students in grades 8–12
Kentuckiana region and beyond
Teams of 2–6, or come solo and we'll match you
Why students come back
A weekend that actually builds something.
Hack the Track started in 2025 as Kentucky's first high school hackathon, with more than 75 students, 15 mentors and judges, and a weekend that produced working projects like Vyte, SafeRoute, and EyeQ. In 2026 it grew into two days at Genuine Work: a Friday Learnathon with hands-on hardware and sustainable fashion workshops, then a full Saturday of building, judging, and awards.
You don't need to know how to code. Day one teaches you enough to get started in any track, mentors from local companies and universities sit with teams all weekend, and the judging rubric rewards clear thinking and real impact as much as technical polish. Teams of 2 to 6 compete for cash prizes and special awards, and every participant leaves with a project, new friends, and people in Louisville's tech community who know their name.
See what 2026 looked likeQuestions about 2027.
Something else? Email us at info@hackthetrack.org.
When is Hack the Track 2027?+
Dates are not final yet. The first two events ran in early September (September 5–6, 2025 and September 11–12, 2026), and we expect 2027 to land in a similar window. Signing up puts you on the list that hears the dates first.
Who can sign up?+
Any student who will be in grades 8 through 12 during the 2027–28 school year. You do not need coding experience, a team, or an idea. Every experience level is welcome.
Does it cost anything?+
No. Hack the Track is free to attend, and meals and snacks are provided across both days thanks to our sponsors.
What are the tracks?+
In 2026 teams chose from Software, Hardware, and Sustainable Fashion. We expect to run those same three tracks in 2027, and the Learnathon on day one gives you a hands-on introduction to each before you commit.
Do I need a team?+
No. Teams are 2 to 6 students, and team formation is built into the schedule on day one. Plenty of past winners met their teammates at the event.
What should I bring?+
A laptop and charger, a notebook or scratch paper, and any special materials your project might need. Hardware and fashion kits for the Learnathon workshops are provided.
Can parents, teachers, or companies get involved?+
Yes. We need mentors, judges, and sponsors every year. Email info@hackthetrack.org and tell us how you'd like to help.
Is this the same sign-up as registration?+
Not quite. This is an interest list. Once dates are locked we open formal registration, and everyone on this list gets the link first. Signing up now does not commit you to attending.
Your idea belongs on the track.
Free to attend. Open to grades 8–12. Every experience level welcome. Mentors, judges, and sponsors: we'd love to hear from you too.