At Major League Hacking, our mission is to empower hackers. One way that we accomplish our mission is by providing this organizer guide to anyone in the world who wants to host a hackathon.
MLH also provides two different avenues for high-touch hackathon support: The League and MLH Localhost. See the chart below to learn what we provide to each!
League Member Events are hackathons organized by students and hosted at colleges and universities in North America, the UK, and the EU. These events must target at least 100 attendees in North America and at least 80 attendees in the UK and the EU. League Member hackathons must last 24 hours or more.
To become a League Member Event, please submit an application. Please review these requirements to be considered for membership in The League.
MLH Localhost Hackathons do not have minimum size or length requirements, although we recommend a minimum size of at least 20 participants and at least a 12 hour timeframe for the best experience!
To host an MLH Localhost Hackathon, please submit an application. You can learn more about MLH Localhost and MLH Localhost Hackathons on our website.
| Category | Offering | League Member Events | MLH Localhost Hackathons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Pre-Event Calls with our Hackathon Experts | Yes 2–3 calls |
Yes 1 – 2 calls |
| Hackathon Organizing Resources (video, guide, etc.) | Yes | Yes | |
| Preferred Vendor Rates & Introductions | Yes | Yes | |
| Code of Conduct | Yes | Yes | |
| Day–Of Event Support | Yes Representative On–site |
No | |
| Github New Member Grants | Yes | No | |
| Community | Access to Online Hackathon Organizer Community | Yes | Yes |
| Discounted Tickets to Hackathon Organizer Conference | Yes | Yes | |
| Introductions to Organizers and Sponsors in the MLH Network | Yes | Yes | |
| Marketing | Social Media Support | Yes | Yes |
| Event Listed on MLH Website | Yes Season Page |
Yes Selected Repeat Events Only |
|
| Blog Post Recap | Yes Selected Events Only |
Yes Selected Events Only |
|
| Swag, Freebies, & Prizes | "I Demoed" Stickers | Yes Customized w/Event Branding |
Yes |
| MLH Stickers and Season Stickers | Yes | Yes | |
| Other Stickers (Sponsor Stickers, Github Stickers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Prizes | Yes Medals for Top Teams & Prizes for Official MLH Sponsor Categories |
Yes Award Certificates for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place and Social Media |
|
| Snacks & Drinks (Soylent & Awake Chocolate) | Yes Based on Availability | Yes Soylent only, USA Only |
|
| Season T-Shirts | Yes | No | |
| Inclusion in Season Rankings | Yes | No | |
| Hardware & Software | Hosting Credit | Yes | Yes |
| Free Domains | Yes | Yes | |
| Other Free Software (Github Student Developer Pack, Softheon API Access, etc.) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hardware Lab | Yes | No | |
| Miscellaneous | Post-Event Surveying | Yes | Yes |
| MyMLH Registration Support | Yes | Yes | |
| !Light Mini-Event | Available on Request | Yes | |
| Cup Stacking Mini-Event | Yes Facilitated by MLH Representative On-Site |
Guide Available Cups Not Provided |
|
| MLH Photographer | Selected Events | No |