HACK876

An event where you team up and build something from scratch in a short amount of time. At Hack 876 that's one day.

You don't have to hack into anything. It's about making things: apps, games, tools, gadgets, whatever you can pull off before the clock runs out.

On MLH, at https://mlh.link/hack-876. You need a free MyMLH account to register and to submit your project. You register yourself: there is no school nomination step.

Students in 5th Form through Upper 6th Form at participating schools. Most participants are under 18, so a parent or guardian must give consent. There are 80 spots.

You register yourself on MLH. Schools can recommend Hack 876 to students and support them, for example by helping with parent or guardian consent and transport.

Yes. Hack 876 is free for students.

No. Hack 876 is entirely in person. There is no remote participation, and check-in happens at the doors on the day.

No. Great teams need designers, researchers, storytellers and people who can pitch. If you've never built anything before, that's fine. Come curious.

No. Register solo or with friends. If you don't have a team, we'll help you find one, possibly with students from other schools.

3 to 4 students.

Websites, apps, AI tools, games, hardware, data projects, automations, interactive experiences. Whatever brings your idea to life. The tracks are there for inspiration, not to box you in.

Yes. Say in your submission which AI tools you used and how, and be ready to explain and demo what you built. Judges will ask.

Some AI tools have minimum ages, and a few are 18 and over, so we'll publish which tools participants may use before the event.

Yes. Bring your own laptop and its charger. Hack 876 does not provide laptops.

Your own laptop and charger, your school ID, a water bottle and your signed parent or guardian consent form. Hack 876 does not provide laptops; please bring your own.

Food is provided on the day, including lunch at 12:00 PM, with snacks and water. No alcohol. Tell us about allergies and dietary needs when you register, or email info@hack876.com.

Saturday 20 February 2027, from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM (Jamaica time (UTC-5)). The date is confirmed.

At the Spanish Court Hotel, 1 St Lucia Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica.

Only on the MLH Challenges page: https://www.mlh.com/events/hack-876/challenges. Each team makes one submission and selects every challenge it is eligible for. One team member signs in with their MyMLH account to submit, after checking in at the venue.

An optional partner challenge any team can enter, on top of its track. Build a working, open-source AI project with GitHub Copilot and show where Copilot helped. Students can get Copilot through the GitHub Student Developer Pack. Details are on the MLH Challenges page. The requirements are on the Event Rules page.

Jamaican tech professionals. They see every demo and ask how your project works.

Teams demo to judges, who look at the problem you picked, your solution, how well it works, originality, impact, and your pitch. Finalists then demo on the main stage.

Complexity alone does not win Hack 876.

We only publish photos of students when their school and a parent or guardian have consented. We never publish a student’s name with their photo without permission. If a student should not be photographed, tell us at registration or check-in.

Brainstorm and plan all you want, but building starts on the day, once hacking begins. The full rules are on the Event Rules page.