👟✨ UCC x UNSW Career Accelerator x JD Sports Case Competition 2026 is here! ✨👟

🧠 Think you've got what it takes to solve a real business problem and actually step inside the operation to do it? Here's your chance to put your strategic thinking to the test, gain firsthand exposure to real-world retail operations, and present your recommendations directly to the JD Sports team.

🛍️ Powered by JD Sports
JD Sports is one of the world's leading sports fashion retailers, operating thousands of stores across Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and beyond. Known for bringing together the biggest names in sport and street culture under one roof, JD Sports is at the forefront of the global athleisure and retail industry. Now, they want YOU to help shape their business. 💼🔥

🗂️ COMPETITION STRUCTURE
Teams of 3-4 will have 10 days to analyse and solve a real business problem set by JD Sports, developing a practical, evidence-based strategy. As part of the competition, each team will conduct an in-person visit to a JD Sports branch, gaining firsthand exposure to retail operations to inform their recommendations. Teams will deliver a 10-minute presentation followed by a 5-minute Q&A. The top 16 teams will progress to Online Heats via Zoom, with the top 4 teams advancing to an In-Person Finals evening at the JD Sports Head Office, followed by a networking and canapés evening.

Open to all UNSW students across all faculties and backgrounds.

⏳ TIMELINE
Registrations Open: 2nd June 2026
Registrations Close: 18th June 2026 (11:59PM)
Case Release: 27th June 2026 (12:00PM)
Branch Visits Window: 30th June - 2nd July 2026
QnA Session: 3rd July 2026
Submissions Close: 7th July 2026 (12:00PM)
Online Heats: 9th July 2026 (6:00 - 8:00PM, via Zoom): Top 16 teams
In-Person Finals: 14th July 2026 (4:00 - 7:00PM, JD Sports Head Office): Top 4 teams