The International Congress of Mathematicians 2026 will bring together world leaders in the field in Philadelphia, with announcements of awards such as the Fields Medals, cutting-edge scientific conferences, and events open to the public
Members of the press are invited to one of the most prestigious mathematics congresses in the world, which will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia from July 23 to July 30, 2026. Held every four years, the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) includes the announcement of the field's top prizes—including the Fields Medals—as well as featured talks by leading mathematicians on cutting-edge developments in the discipline.
Staff writers and freelance journalists can register to attend the congress for free through June 22. Media accreditation includes access to a press conference with the Fields Medalists and other awardees following their announcement during the opening ceremony on July 23. A press room will also be available throughout the congress. Reduced hotel rates are available for attendees.
For more information, visit the ICM 2026 website.
The congress’s opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the press conference, will also be livestreamed for free on the Simons Foundation’s YouTube channel.
In addition to award announcements and scientific talks, this year’s ICM includes outreach events aimed at the public to explore the beauty and pervasiveness of mathematics.
Key Dates and Information
- Press registration deadline: Monday, June 22, 2026.
- Opening Ceremony: 9:00 AM–12:30 PM EDT, Thursday, July 23, 2026.
- Awardees Press Conference: 12:00 PM–1:30 PM EDT, Thursday, July 23, 2026.
- Closing Ceremony: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM EDT, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
More details on the timing of the Fields Medal and other award announcements will be provided at a later date.
About the ICM
The ICM is organized by the International Mathematical Union (IMU). The first official congress took place in Zurich in 1897, though the idea for the event originated during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
This year's congress is supported by the American Mathematical Society and the Simons Foundation, and marks the first ICM in the United States since 1986. Thousands of mathematicians will attend the event, with hundreds from developing countries receiving travel support grants. The 2026 edition comes at an important time for the discipline, as international collaboration and cooperation are fundamental to mathematical progress.
About the Fields Medals and other IMU Prizes
One of the most anticipated moments of every ICM since 1936 has been the awarding of the Fields Medals, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of mathematics." At each congress, between two and four mathematicians under the age of 40 are recognized for making significant contributions to the field.
The IMU will also award the Abacus Medal for achievements in the mathematical aspects of information science, the Carl Friedrich Gauss Prize for contributions with significant applications outside of mathematics, the Chern Medal for outstanding achievements in mathematics, and the Leelavati Prize for public outreach.
Important Topics at This Year's ICM
This year's ICM will feature talks and lectures on cutting-edge research in virtually all mathematical disciplines, from the Kakeya conjecture to orthogonal projections and the axiomatization of fluid dynamics.
One topic that will be very present for many attendees is artificial intelligence, which is generating debate about the human nature of mathematics and promises to fundamentally change how many mathematicians conduct their research. Renowned mathematician and Fields Medalist Terence Tao will give a public lecture titled "Mathematics in the Age of AI" on July 24, and other speakers will address the relationship between mathematics and AI and the impact of AI on mathematics education.
About the Simons Foundation
The Simons Foundation is a private foundation based in New York City whose mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and basic science. Founded in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation supports transformative science through grants, internal research, and public engagement. The Simons Foundation awards grants in autism science and neuroscience; life sciences; mathematics and physical sciences; and science, society, and culture. The foundation's internal research division, the Flatiron Institute, develops and applies computational methods to advance basic scientific research. For more information, visit simonsfoundation.org.