In Brief

The Economics Olympiad brought together some of the UK’s brightest young economists for its 2026 National Final. Hotline supported the event by providing 250 branded Thirst Grip Sports Bottles, helping students stay hydrated on one of the hottest days of the year while providing a practical keepsake that continued promoting both the event and sustainable behaviour long after the competition ended.

Summary of this Article

The Economics Olympiad is an international academic competition that encourages students to apply economic thinking to real-world challenges. In June 2026, around 150 finalists from across the UK gathered at SOAS, University of London, to compete for the opportunity to represent the UK at the International Economics Olympiad in Greece. Hotline proudly sponsored 250 branded Thirst Grip Sports Bottles, which were presented to every student and teacher as part of their welcome pack. The reusable bottles supported hydration during a demanding day of assessments, complemented the university’s commitment to eliminating single-use plastics and became lasting reminders of the students’ achievements. This case study demonstrates how practical promotional products can enhance educational events, reinforce sustainability initiatives and continue delivering value long after the event itself.

Supporting Future Economists with Practical Promotional Products

Every great event is remembered for more than just what happened on the day. The atmosphere, the people, the experience and even the small details all contribute to creating something memorable.

For educational events in particular, practical promotional products can play an important role in enhancing that experience. Rather than simply displaying a logo, the best products become genuinely useful to recipients, helping organisers deliver a professional event while leaving attendees with something they’ll continue using afterwards.

That was certainly the case when Hotline proudly supported the Economics Olympiad UK National Final, held on 22 June 2026 at SOAS, University of London.

To help welcome competitors and teachers from across the country, we supplied 250 branded Thirst Grip Sports Bottles, providing every participant with a reusable bottle they could use throughout the day before taking it home as a lasting reminder of their achievement.

It proved to be particularly timely.

Held on one of the hottest days of the year, the National Final challenged students not only intellectually but physically too, with hydration becoming an important part of maintaining concentration during a packed programme of assessments, presentations and networking opportunities. The bottles quickly became one of the most practical items in each welcome pack, helping students stay refreshed while supporting the university’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics.

Beyond their practical use, the bottles also demonstrated how carefully chosen promotional merchandise can complement an event’s wider objectives. In this case, they supported student wellbeing, reinforced sustainability values and created a high-quality keepsake that many participants have continued using at school, university and beyond.

About the Economics Olympiad

For many people, economics is something they associate with inflation, interest rates or government budgets. The Economics Olympiad aims to change that perception by showing young people how economics influences almost every aspect of everyday life.

The competition forms part of an international programme that challenges students to analyse real-world issues, apply economic theory and communicate their ideas under pressure. Its mission is simple but ambitious: to inspire the next generation of economists, business leaders and informed citizens by making economics engaging, relevant and accessible to students from all backgrounds.

National Organiser Helen Coupland-Smith explains that one of the biggest motivations for establishing the UK competition was ensuring British students could finally take part in an event already attracting significant international participation.

“We wanted to join a competition that celebrates economic thinking in the same way that Maths and Science Olympiads celebrate their subjects.”

With more countries embracing the competition each year, the UK National Final represents an exciting opportunity for talented students to showcase their analytical skills while competing for a place on the international stage.

Bringing Together the UK’s Brightest Young Economists

The 2026 Economics Olympiad UK National Final welcomed approximately 150 of the country’s highest-achieving economics students, alongside their teachers, to SOAS, University of London.

Having progressed through school and regional qualifying rounds, finalists represented schools and colleges from every region of the UK, creating a genuinely national competition that celebrated academic excellence while encouraging collaboration between students who share a passion for economics.

Rather than being a traditional written examination, the National Final was designed to immerse students in economics from multiple perspectives. Alongside rigorous assessments, participants enjoyed an impressive programme of guest speakers, networking opportunities and a live grand final featuring the competition’s top ten students.

Among those sharing their expertise were:
• Professor Linda Yueh, BBC and Bloomberg economics correspondent and Professor at both London Business School and Oxford University.
• Dr Yannis Dafermos, economist and academic specialising in sustainable economics.
• Soumaya Keynes, renowned economics journalist and broadcaster.
• Professor Ha-Joon Chang, internationally respected South Korean economist and author.

For many students, hearing directly from economists and commentators of this calibre was every bit as valuable as the competition itself, offering insights that simply aren’t available within a traditional classroom environment.

The competition culminated in a live final, where the remaining ten students demonstrated not only their economic knowledge but also their ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas under pressure.

Ultimately, Ananyaa Gupta was crowned the UK’s first National Champion, while the five highest-scoring students secured the honour of representing the United Kingdom at the International Economics Olympiad in Ancient Olympia, Greece.

More Than Academic Achievement

While identifying exceptional young economists is one objective of the competition, Helen believes the wider benefits are just as important. Students are encouraged to develop transferable skills that will benefit them throughout higher education and their careers.

These include:
• analysing evidence objectively
• solving unfamiliar problems
• communicating complex ideas clearly
• considering different viewpoints
• performing confidently under pressure

As Helen explains, these are qualities that universities and employers increasingly look for, regardless of the profession students eventually choose.

The event also gives participants something equally valuable: the opportunity to meet like-minded students from across the UK. Helen recalls that one of the most rewarding aspects of the day was watching students from very different educational backgrounds connect through a shared enthusiasm for economics.

The conversations that took place between assessments, during guest presentations and throughout the networking sessions reflected exactly what the organisers hoped to achieve—a vibrant community built around curiosity, collaboration and academic ambition.

Why Practical Promotional Products Made Sense

Every successful event relies on thoughtful planning, and sometimes the simplest additions have the greatest impact. With more than 150 students spending a full day concentrating on demanding assessments and presentations, ensuring everyone stayed hydrated became particularly important.

The decision to provide every participant and teacher with a branded Thirst Grip Sports Bottle proved to be both practical and perfectly timed. The National Final took place on 22 June 2026, one of the hottest days of the year.

Rather than relying on disposable drinks bottles, participants were able to refill their reusable bottles throughout the day using the water refill stations located across the SOAS campus. This not only helped students remain comfortable and focused but also aligned seamlessly with the university’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics.

reusable promotional products

For event organisers, this illustrates an important principle when choosing promotional merchandise. The most effective products are rarely the most expensive—they’re the ones that solve a genuine need.

In this case, the bottles supported:
• hydration during a demanding day
• student wellbeing and concentration
• environmental sustainability
• a polished, professional welcome experience
• a lasting reminder of participation in a prestigious national competition

By fulfilling all of these roles simultaneously, the bottles became much more than branded giveaways.

Creating a Sense of Occasion

First impressions matter at any event. Helen explained that every student and teacher received their sports bottle alongside the official commemorative programme as soon as they arrived. That simple gesture immediately helped create excitement and reinforced the significance of reaching the National Final.

Many participants began using their bottles straight away, carrying them throughout the venue as they moved between presentations, assessments and networking sessions. Teachers also appreciated the thought behind the choice, recognising that the bottles reflected both the sustainability values of the venue and the prestige of the competition itself.

Helen described how the combination of practical merchandise and commemorative materials helped students feel they were taking part in something special. Rather than attending another school competition, they experienced an event with the atmosphere and professionalism of a national championship. That sense of belonging is difficult to create—but carefully chosen promotional products can make a meaningful contribution.

Promotional Products That Continue Working After the Event

One of the greatest advantages of reusable promotional merchandise is its longevity. Unlike disposable event materials that are often discarded before attendees leave the venue, a quality reusable bottle has the potential to remain in daily use for months or even years.

Helen noted that many students took their bottles home and have continued using them at school and university. Each time they’re refilled, carried to lectures or placed on a desk, they serve as a reminder of the students’ achievement while continuing to reinforce the Economics Olympiad brand and the organisations that supported it.

For organisations planning conferences, educational events or student competitions, this demonstrates why practical promotional products often provide exceptional long-term value. A thoughtfully selected item doesn’t simply support the event itself—it continues delivering visibility and positive brand association long after the final presentation has ended.

Investing in the Next Generation

The success of events like the Economics Olympiad depends on collaboration between educators, universities and organisations that share a commitment to developing young talent.

The 2026 National Final was proudly sponsored by Time2Resources Ltd, while SOAS, University of London generously provided the venue, facilities and support that enabled the event to take place. Alongside these contributions, Hotline was delighted to provide the branded Thirst Grip Sports Bottles that welcomed every student and teacher attending the National Final.

For Helen, partnerships like these are about far more than simply reducing event costs.

As the competition grows, sponsorship helps organisers improve the participant experience, expand regional qualifying events and make the competition accessible to more schools across the country.

“Support from organisations such as Hotline is invaluable in helping initiatives like the Economics Olympiad continue to grow.”

She explains that high-quality resources and practical event merchandise all contribute towards creating a professional experience that reflects the prestige of a national academic competition. Importantly, they also help keep entry costs affordable, ensuring that talented students can participate regardless of their school’s budget.

promotional products for schools

Why Businesses Should Consider Educational Sponsorship

Educational sponsorship offers businesses an opportunity to support meaningful initiatives while engaging with future generations of professionals.

Helen encourages organisations to think of sponsorship as an investment rather than simply a charitable gesture. By supporting programmes such as the Economics Olympiad, businesses demonstrate a genuine commitment to education while raising awareness among students, teachers, universities and schools.

For Hotline, this philosophy aligns closely with our own approach to sponsorship. Whether supporting charities, community organisations or educational initiatives, we believe promotional products are most effective when they add genuine value to the people receiving them.

In this instance, the reusable sports bottles weren’t simply branded giveaways. They:
• supported student wellbeing during a demanding day
• encouraged sustainable behaviour through repeated reuse
• complemented the venue’s environmental objectives
• enhanced the overall event experience
• became lasting reminders of a significant academic achievement

When promotional merchandise serves a real purpose, recipients are far more likely to continue using it—extending the life of both the product and the positive associations it creates.

Looking Towards an Exciting Future

Although 2026 marked an important milestone for the Economics Olympiad in the UK, Helen is already looking far beyond the inaugural National Final.

Her ambition is to establish the competition as the UK’s leading academic economics competition while expanding opportunities for talented students from every background.

Plans already being explored include:
• increasing participation from schools across the UK
• strengthening partnerships with universities
• expanding regional qualifying competitions
• developing international economics boot camps alongside organisers in Belgium and the Netherlands
• collaborating with organisations such as the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL)
• introducing new enrichment opportunities that connect students with academics, policymakers and industry experts

Perhaps most encouraging is the enthusiasm Helen has encountered from universities, teachers, economists, charities and businesses who all share the same long-term vision.

Rather than focusing solely on identifying competition winners, the Economics Olympiad aims to build a thriving national community where young economists can learn from one another, exchange ideas and develop the confidence to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.

A Lasting Reminder of Achievement

Looking back, the branded sports bottles may seem like a small part of a much larger event. Yet they perfectly demonstrate what makes promotional products so effective. The best promotional merchandise isn’t simply something that displays a logo. It’s something people genuinely appreciate, use repeatedly and associate with a positive experience.

For the students attending the Economics Olympiad National Final, the bottles helped them stay hydrated during one of the hottest days of the year, supported a more sustainable event and provided a practical keepsake to take home.

Months and even years later, many of those bottles are likely to remain on desks, in classrooms, lecture theatres and libraries—quietly reminding students of the day they competed alongside some of the brightest young economists in the country.

That’s the lasting value of choosing promotional products that are both practical and purposeful.

Thinking About Promotional Products for Your Next Event?

Whether you’re organising:
• an educational conference
• a student competition
• an awards ceremony
• a university open day
• a recruitment event
• or a charity fundraiser

carefully chosen promotional products can help create a more memorable experience while continuing to promote your organisation long after the event has finished.

Explore our range of Sports Bottles, Educational Promotional Products and Event Merchandise, or speak to the Hotline team for advice. With our free 20-minute Visual Proof™, you’ll be able to see exactly how your branding will look before placing your order.

Economics Olympiad homepage

Economics Olympiad UK Instagram

Economics Olympiad UK LinkedIn

#EconomicsolympiadUK #Time2Resources #hotlinepromo