GLOBAL FINALS 2025

MAY 22-25, 2025 • KANSAS CITY

Global Finals is the culminating tournament for each season of Destination Imagination’s Challenge Experience, with the top teams from around the world competing in their respective Team Challenges.

Kansas City

What is Global Finals?

Each May, Destination Imagination’s top-tiered teams from around the world gather in Kansas City, Missouri, to participate in Global Finals—the world’s largest celebration of creativity. Check out some of the highlights on our YouTube channel.

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How can teams attend?

tournament qualification

Teams are guaranteed a spot at Global Finals by competing and ranking at their Affiliate Tournament.

Team Managers of qualified teams will receive an invitation to register for Global Finals via email within 36 hours of their Affiliate Tournament.

Where do you have to rank to qualify? That depends on where you live and the size of your Affiliate. Please check with your Affiliate about the ranking requirements where you are located.

JOIN The waitlist

DI Challenge Experience teams* can sign up for the Global Finals Waitlist. The Waitlist is intended to allow teams to declare their interest in attending Global Finals even if they do not qualify through their Affiliate Tournament. Teams on the Global Finals Waitlist are not guaranteed a spot at Global Finals 2025. In each Challenge and Level, if space allows, waitlisted teams will be invited on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Waitlist for Global Finals 2025 will open on January 15, 2025 for teams to sign up.

Click here to receive reminders about the Global Finals Waitlist.

*IMPORTANT: Joining the Waitlist has the following restrictions for select teams:

Teams from China are not eligible for the waitlist due to parameters set by the DI China Affiliate. Questions regarding this restriction should be directed to DI China.
Teams from Texas will only be invited from the Waitlist if they rank 10th place or better at the Lone Star Finals Tournament. The DI Texas Affiliate has put this restriction in place, and questions should be directed to DI Texas.

What does it cost?

$ 5500

00*

PER TEAM NUMBER**

Unlimited Entry Credentials**
The Tournament
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Prop Storage Exhibit Space
Special Events
Pin Trading

The Global Finals event registration fee is team-based and includes unlimited credentials for team supporters (spectators). Destination Imagination will provide additional resources to help you plan your trip, including group rates at selected hotel properties. Meals and lodging are not included in the registration fee. Kansas City offers incredible opportunities to design your perfect trip to Global Finals. More details on the experience are coming! Stay tuned!

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Destination Imagination, Inc. is pleased to announce that we will once again provide financial assistance opportunities for teams who are attending Global Finals 2025.

Applications for financial assistance will be open from February 12 to March 14, 2025. Any team may apply, even if they have not yet attended their local tournament. We will begin notifying selected teams on April 8; however, teams will not be notified until after their Affiliate Tournament is complete. Any financial assistance awarded will go towards the team’s registration fees for the event. Teams will not be asked to commit to attending Global Finals until after they have been notified about their financial assistance application.

In 2024, DI granted a total of $75,000 to 27 teams. Full and partial awards were given; the average award amount was $2,778. We anticipate having a similar amount of funding to share for this year’s event.

Applications will be evaluated by a committee of DI staff, board members, and alumni based on the following criteria:

Financial Need. What expenses must the team cover themselves? Does the team have any financial hardships? Have they completed any fundraising efforts?
Attendance at Global Finals. Is the team part of a Challenge or Level that is underrepresented at this year’s event? Has the team attended in the past?
Geographic Representation. Does the team represent an area that will not have many other teams in attendance?
Essay. Does the team provide detailed and compelling reasons for how they would benefit from attending Global Finals?

Questions about applying for financial assistance can be directed to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

How can my team apply?

The application form will be open from February 12 to March 14, 2025. It is a brief form consisting of 14 questions. Within the application, teams will be asked to describe their financial need and why they would benefit from attending Global Finals 2025.

With most Affiliate tournaments occurring in March or April 2025, we fully expect and encourage teams to apply for financial assistance prior to attending their Affiliate tournament.

Which teams are eligible to apply?

Any teams that can demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply.

How much financial assistance is available?

The amount of financial assistance each team receives will be determined by their application and their demonstrated level of need. Last year, a total of $75,000 was distributed, and the average award amount was $2778.

How will teams be selected?

All applications will be reviewed by a committee with representatives from DI’s Board of Trustees, staff, and alumni. Awards will be based on financial need and the team’s responses on their application.

Any advice on how to make a good application?

There is a question on the application that reads “Why do you and your team want to be a part of Global Finals 2025? How will your team benefit from attending?” Your team’s response to this question will have the biggest impact on their application.

When will teams be notified about their financial assistance?

We will start notifying teams that have been selected for financial assistance starting on April 8. Teams participating in Affiliate Tournaments after April 8 will not be notified until their tournament is complete. All teams will be notified of the status of their application before the Global Finals registration deadline.

If my team is selected for financial assistance, how will we receive the funds?

If your team is selected for funding, your award will be applied to your registration fees. At this time, financial assistance funds can only be applied to registration fees; all teams will still be responsible for their travel, housing, and food.

Who can I contact about financial assistance?

Questions about financial assistance can be directed to [email protected]. All questions will receive a response via email within 24 hours.