Hosted by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and the National Research Council Canada, the event marks the culmination of a global competition season, convening the top 86 teams from 16 countries around the globe, including North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Each year, the MATE ROV Competition selects a theme that reflects real-world scenarios and industry-driven mission tasks. This year’s theme aligns with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), and highlights the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034)—focusing on the unique challenges of operating in cold, dynamic, and extreme ocean environments.
Hosting the World Championship in St. John’s enables these challenges to be staged in realistic conditions through access to world-class technology facilities. At the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University, teams will operate in the world’s largest flume tank—a 1.7-million-liter facility designed to simulate real ocean currents—marking one of the most advanced controlled testing environments ever used in competition history. At the National Research Council Canada, teams will engage with advanced testing environments, including a wave basin that replicates offshore conditions and a specialized ice tank designed to model Arctic and under-ice environments. Together, these facilities create an authentic, industry-aligned competition setting that reinforces the technical rigor and real-world relevance of the MATE ROV Competition.
“We’re excited to bring the 2026 MATE ROV Competition World Championship back to Newfoundland and Labrador for a third time,” said Joe Singleton, Head of the School of Ocean Technology and Regional Coordinator for the MATE ROV Newfoundland and Labrador regional competition.
“The MATE ROV Competition is an amazing opportunity for students to develop and showcase their skills in science, technology, and engineering. We are proud to have the opportunity to further student engagement in the competition and introduce the next generation of leaders to the opportunities available in the ocean technology sector,” said Singleton.
“As teams from around the world gather in Newfoundland and Labrador, the MATE World Championship highlights how hands-on learning can help build the talented and skilled workforce our economy needs,” said the Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “By tackling real-world challenges, competitors of all ages are gaining experience that will support innovation and growth in communities across Canada and globally. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, has been honored to support this competition from the beginning and help create more opportunities that inspire the future generations.”
Teams will map and document cold-water coral ecosystems, deploy and service subsea monitoring technologies, support offshore energy systems, and conduct under-ice data collection. In addition to in-water performance, the competition requires teams to operate as start-up companies—developing technical documentation, managing budgets, presenting marketing displays, and delivering engineering presentations to a panel of industry professionals.
“These students continue to impress with their problem-solving ability and professionalism,” said Jill Zande, Executive Director of MATE at MTS. “The World Championship is a powerful platform for developing workforce-ready skills and expediting students’ preparation for the workplace through real-world application – and for inspiring entrepreneurship. Hosting the event in St. John’s places students at the intersection of innovation, industry, and future opportunity. We’re grateful to our regional partners in St. John’s for their support in making this experience possible.”
The public is encouraged to follow the event and celebrate the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators. Activities will take place across multiple venues in St. John’s, including the Marine Institute and partner facilities. For more information, including a complete list of competing teams and program sponsors, visit: materovcompetition.org/world-championship
Watch the competition live via Twitch: www.twitch.tv/mateinspires1
