Ideas & Enterprise
DECA High School Competitive Events
Official sources2
A chapter-based business program covering marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and entrepreneurship.
Current applications & dates
13 listings · Dates and application links use the same reviewed data as the planner. Automatic source updates are not active yet.
Stukent Social Media Marketing Challenge · 2026–2027
Individually manage simulated social-media campaigns and an advertising budget across four required rounds.
DECA Inc. · Individual simulation challenge begins: Oct 14, 2026DECA at the Bell Challenge · 2026–2027
Write and produce a business-positioning episode with a PDF script, MP4 video and promotional photo.
DECA Inc. · Advisor uploads script, video and photo: Oct 30, 2026 · 18:00 (timezone unspecified)Understanding and Applying Social Influence in The Real-World Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA challenge sponsored by IE University. Analyze social influence and create an original advertisement.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Nov 30, 2026 · 11:59 PM ESTInnovation In Action: Help Next Gen Discover Their Insurance Path · 2026–2027
DECA competition sponsored by National Invest Program. Pitch an insurance agency and its hiring strategy.
DECA Inc. · Entry submissions and video uploads open: Dec 7, 2026Hospitality Sustainability Innovation Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA challenge sponsored by EHL Hospitality Business School. Propose a hospitality sustainability innovation.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Dec 11, 2026 · 11:59 PM ESTAdobe Personal Branding Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA challenge sponsored by Adobe. Build a personal-brand portfolio in Adobe Express.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Dec 18, 2026 · 23:59 (timezone unspecified)MDA Disability Is Diversity Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA challenge sponsored by Muscular Dystrophy Association. Create a disability-accessibility advocacy presentation.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Dec 18, 2026 · 11:59 PM ESTDigital Presentation Skills Challenge · 2026–2027
Create an individual video presentation using a licensed Virtual Business simulation; finalists present live via Zoom.
DECA Inc. · Video submissions open · timezone unpublished: Jan 2, 2027 · 10:00 (timezone unspecified)National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Social Impact Leader of Tomorrow Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA competition sponsored by National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Plan and execute a cause-marketing fundraiser.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Jan 8, 2027 · 11:59 PM ESTProcurement For The Public Good Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA competition sponsored by National Association of State Procurement Officials. Recommend a school or community procurement solution.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Jan 8, 2027 · 11:59 PM ESTThe Future Of Accounting Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA competition sponsored by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Develop a student-membership engagement strategy.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Jan 11, 2027 · 11:59 PM ESTAdobe Food Truck Challenge · 2026–2027
DECA competition sponsored by Adobe. Design and market a food truck in Adobe Express.
DECA Inc. · Registration and project submission due: Jan 15, 2027 · 23:59 (timezone unspecified)DECA High School Competitive Events 2026–2027
Chapter and association competitions qualify members for ICDC.
DECA Inc. · Dates pending or locally arrangedAt a glance
Start with the essentials before committing to a season.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Host | DECA Inc. and chartered associations |
| Season | 2026–2027 |
| Eligibility | A registered member of a high-school DECA chapter at registration. Individual entries only: no group work, collaboration or multiple accounts. Only one winner per school is eligible for a prize. Registration: The DECA advisor registers first and directs students to their registration instructions; both advisor and student must register. Students use their school email. The sponsor page confirms registration opens July 31, 2026 and competition begins October 14, 2026. Required simulation: Finish one organic-posting round, one paid-posting round and two combined organic/paid rounds. Plagiarism, collaboration, additional accounts and repeated identical/near-identical posts are prohibited. Rounds cannot be redone except for a demonstrable technical problem. Authenticity, ROI and post quality determine the finalists. Advertising budgets are simulated, not real student spending. Source corrections: One PDF sentence mentions December 1, 2025 and its awards section calls entries teams. The current sponsor page independently confirms December 1, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. Mountain Time and individual cash prizes. Midnight is the start of December 1, not its end. The PDF’s current date table also agrees with 2026. Finalist participation: ICDC recognition in Anaheim, California, April 17–20, 2027 is conditional on chartered-association rules and school/chapter advisor approval; entry does not guarantee attendance. |
| Format | remote |
| Registration timing | Advisor and student registration opens: Jul 31, 2026; Individual simulation challenge begins: Oct 14, 2026; All simulation rounds complete · midnight at start of December 1: Dec 1, 2026 · 12:00 AM MST; Top-three finalists announced: Jan 13, 2027; ICDC recognition · approved top-three finalists: Apr 17, 2027 – Apr 20, 2027 |
| Status | open |
How to register
Use the official registration route and follow these steps.
- 1
Ask whether your high school already has a DECA chapter and advisor.
- 2
If not, secure school approval and work with the chartered association to start a chapter.
- 3
The advisor submits the membership roster and then registers competitors under local association deadlines.
Official links
Dates, eligibility, and fees can change. Confirm the latest information with the organizer before registering.