The Econ Games
Where Top Students Apply Economics to Real-World Challenges
A national conference bringing together the next generation of thinkers to solve real business and economic problems.
2026 Naming Partner: Bank of America and Data Partner: Equibase
Past partners include the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, 84.51°, MiddleGround Capital, Fischer Homes, and 3CDC
What is the Econ Games
The Econ Games is a national undergraduate conference built around applied economic thinking.
Students from top universities work in teams to analyze real datasets, solve business and policy problems, and present their insights to industry professionals.
In past Econ Games, students have:
Analyzed foot traffic, pricing, and property performance data
Worked under 24-hour deadlines
Presented solutions directly to industry partners
The Econ Games is economics in action.
The Econ Games, an Internship for a Day
WHY THIS MATTERS
Most students graduate with knowledge. Very few graduate with the ability to apply it.
The Econ Games closes that gap.
Students leave with:
Real-world data experience
The ability to turn analysis into decisions
Confidence presenting to professionals
Students consistently describe the experience as the moment they see how what they learned translates to the real world.
This is where students discover what they’re actually good at—and where they stand out.
30 universities participating nationwide
240 students engaged
Naming partner: Bank of America
Data partner: Equibase
Students worked in teams to solve real-world challenges and present to industry professionals.
2026 Impact
WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DOES
Your support directly enables:
Student participation and travel
Real-world data partnerships
Industry mentorship and judging
Expansion to more universities
Your support doesn’t fund an event. It builds capability.
WHY PARTNER WITH THE ECON GAMES
The Econ Games gives you:
Early access to analytically strong, high-performing students
A direct view of how they think, solve problems, and communicate
A chance to engage with talent before the market does
Students leave better prepared, more confident, and ready to contribute in real business environments.
Organizers
The Econ Games is cofounded by Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and Dr. Darshak Patel, both are recipients of the Kenneth G. Elzinga Distinguished Teaching Award.
The event is a collaboration between the Haile College of Business at Northern Kentucky University and the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.
SEE IT IN ACTION
See how students analyze data, collaborate, and present under pressure:
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We partner with organizations through:
Financial sponsorship
Data and case collaboration
Student engagement and recruiting
Event participation and judging