What are the benefits of hosting a hackathon?

There are many benefits of hosting a hackathon. For coders, programmers, and developers, a hackathon is a valuable way to learn new skills, such as problem solving and creative thinking as part of a team — and to create an exciting piece of software at the end. Hosting a codefest is also an excellent way to facilitate meaningful networking opportunities and to build a community of likeminded people.

How long does a hackathon last?

Hackathons can vary in length depending on the nature of the project or challenge, but typically they usually last between 24 hours and a whole weekend. When planning your hackathon, make sure to decide on clear start and end times so guests are clear on the parameters of the event — and how long they’ll have to complete the task.

How do I use Eventbrite to organize a hackathon?

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How to organise a successful hackathon

Bring the coding community together with an exciting hackathon event — and discover all the tools you need to generate a buzz

What is a hackathon?

A hackathon — or a codefest — is a social coding event. A great way to collaborate, build community, and learn new skills, the aim of a hackathon is to bring developers and coders together to create a piece of functioning software.

All the tools you need to plan a successful hackathon

Whether you’re organising a rapid 24-hour codefest or a collaborative high-skill coding challenge, discover all the tools you need for a smooth event.

Customised hackathon events

From coding projects to building prototypes, it’s easy to make your hackathon stand out with our customisable event pages and templates.

Unique tickets

Create custom tickets for your hackathon — such as early bird discounts and merch bundles — and make sure guests have easy entry on the day with QR code tickets.

Advanced marketing tools

Reach all the right coders, developers and programmers on our advanced marketing platform — and sell more tickets with targeted email campaigns and social media ads.

5 tips on how to plan a hackathon

From setting the goal of your hackathon to providing energy-boosting refreshments, discover tips from our event experts on how to organise a hackathon

#1. Solve a specific problem

Most hackathons tend to have a specific challenge, such as improving an existing product or finding a new business solution — they also often specify the programming language or the operating system to be used.

#2. Reach the right audience

It’s important to get the right people in the room to maximise productivity. For external events, try targeting local coding or developer groups, as well as networks of freelance programmers.

#3. Consider tech requirements

The key to a successful hackathon? The right tech. Make sure the venue has secure wi-fi, reliable power supplies and backup hardware to ensure coders have everything they need to succeed.

#4. Add exciting extras

Sell more tickets to your hackathon with exciting add-ons, such as complementary merchandise. You might also choose to offer protein-packed snacks as part of the hackathon to keep energy levels up.

#5. Set up the venue

The best way to encourage collaborative work: the right seating arrangement. Make sure there’s plenty of space for each team to work together, as well as a space for judges and mentors to oversee work.

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Ready to kick-start your coding collaboration? Discover all the tools you need to create, plan and promote your hackathon with Eventbrite’s event management software.