2026 Design Build Competition® Recap: Indy & SoCal

Growth continues to define the 2026 Design Build Competition® season. From emerging regions to large-scale events, participation is expanding across the country—connecting more students than ever to hands-on learning and career pathways in the built environment.
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Two early competitions—Indy and Southern California—highlight this momentum in different ways. While Indy continues to build its foundation, Southern California is scaling at a rapid pace. Both, however, share one key theme: growth

Indy Design Build Competition®

The Indy Design Build Competition® saw significant growth this year, doubling from 3 to 6 teams—a 50% increase in participation.

With nearly 60 students competing, the event continues to gain traction as more schools engage in hands-on learning experiences that develop teamwork, problem-solving, and real-world construction skills.

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​Southern California Design Build Competition® – Huntington Beach

The Southern California Design Build Competition® brought together an impressive 39 teams (580+ students) for two days of hands-on learning, innovation, and collaboration—making it one of the largest competitions to date.

As participation continues to expand, the SoCal event demonstrates the scale and impact the program can achieve, while reinforcing the growing demand for workforce-driven opportunities in the built environment.

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