UCup × Huawei | Join the 2026 Universal Cup Winter Online Challenge¶

From summer to winter, a new algorithmic challenge awaits.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Universal Cup Winter Online Challenge! Sponsored by Huawei, this edition focuses on quantum annealing inspired algorithms and communications decoding. We invite participants interested in algorithm optimization, communications technology, and quantum-inspired computing to take on the challenge.

Compete online over two weeks for a total prize pool of EUR 38,000, with opportunities to access Huawei's recruitment fast track. This winter, bring fresh ideas and explore new possibilities in communications decoding.

About the Challenge¶

Low-Density Parity-Check Decoding Algorithm Based on Quantum Annealing Inspired Algorithm

With the rapid commercialization of 5.5G (5G-Advanced) communications, global telecommunications are entering a new era of ultra-high-speed connectivity and low latency. Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) code is an important channel error correction method, widely used in wireless communications. As wireless communications demand ever-higher speeds, the performance requirements for LDPC decoding modules continue to increase. At the same time, traditional LDPC decoding algorithms have reached a performance bottleneck, and the LDPC decoding algorithm based on the higher-order or traditional Ising model is considered a potential candidate. By combining Quantum Annealing Inspired Algorithm (QAIA) and the concept of Deep Unfolding (DU) in machine learning, the Ising model can be solved efficiently.

This challenge focuses on realizing an LDPC decoding algorithm that enhances decoding accuracy as much as possible under a limited number of iteration steps. Participants are required to integrate the LDPC decoding loss function in the form of the higher-order or traditional Ising model, quantum annealing inspired algorithm, and the concept of deep unfolding together into an LDPC decoder. The input to the LDPC decoding algorithm is the Log-Likelihood Ratio (LLR) for each received bit and the knowledge of the parity check matrix. The output is the recovered information bits. The objective of this challenge is to minimize the difference between the recovered information bits and the source bits. The difference is measured by the Bit Error Rate (BER). The dataset used for evaluating algorithm performance is randomly generated across 4 code lengths (648, 1296, 1944, and 3888 bits), 3 code rates (½, ⅔, ¾), and various Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR).

References¶

For further information regarding this challenge, please refer to the following public literature:

1. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9366137
2. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abe7953
3. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.043325

Challenge Introduction Video¶

• Watch on YouTube
• Watch on Bilibili

From understanding the problem and building a model to implementing algorithms and improving results, this challenge offers hands-on experience across algorithms and communications. We welcome participants from different backgrounds to bring their own approaches and explore this shared problem together.

Event Details¶

• Registration Opens · November 6
• Competition Period · November 24, 20:00 — December 8, 20:00 (UTC+8)

Competition Rules¶

Please refer to the official competition platform for detailed task requirements, submission formats, and evaluation criteria.

Prizes¶

A total of 30 participants will receive awards, with a combined prize pool of EUR 38,000.

In addition to cash prizes, the champion and gold and silver medal recipients will have opportunities to access Huawei's recruitment fast track and further talent engagement activities.

How to Register¶

Visit https://challenge.ucup.ac/ for competition information and registration.

For the detailed competition format, registration process, schedule, and awards, please refer to the information published on the official competition platform.

Official Community¶

• QQ Group: 965319884
• Discord: https://discord.gg/YNEhnkZk7x

About Universal Cup¶

Founded in 2022, Universal Cup is a non-profit community organization for algorithmic competition enthusiasts worldwide. It provides high-quality practical training and hosts in-person competitions for leading contestants from around the world. Universal Cup aims to connect industry, academia, and the competitive programming community, building a close-knit community across borders and age groups.

More than 8,000 teams from over 500 schools and organizations worldwide have participated in Universal Cup's online training, in-person competitions, and community activities.

Since 2024, Universal Cup has held summer summits, annual in-person finals, and related exchange activities in Cancún, Mexico, and Dongguan and Shanghai, China. Over several seasons, it has grown into a widely recognized platform in the global algorithmic competition community, known for its broad reach, professional organization, and strong reputation among contestants.

Official website: https://ucup.ac/

About Huawei¶

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure and smart devices. Its 213,000 employees work in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over three billion people worldwide.

Huawei is committed to bringing digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. This means making ubiquitous connectivity an equal right for everyone and a foundation for an intelligent world; providing diverse computing power to make cloud services widely available and intelligence accessible everywhere; and using AI to redefine experiences, offering consumers personalized, intelligent experiences across home, travel, work, entertainment, sports, and health. With powerful digital platforms, industries and organizations can become more agile, efficient, and dynamic.

Official website: https://www.huawei.com

Thank you to Huawei for its generous support of this challenge!

The Winter Challenge begins on November 24.

We look forward to seeing you in the online competition!