Tony Robbins
Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS)

The Tony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) is a five-day program providing an environment designed to boost participants into leadership roles that will change their lives and that of their communities. The format of GYLS includes small group discussions, hands-on service learning experiences, leadership simulation games and exercises. Dynamic keynote speakers from around the world present topics designed to enable summit participants to identify their own particular leadership strengths. Participants are encouraged to identify personal goals and a commitment to community service. GYLS 2025 gathered over 400 teens from over 49 countries.

Tony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) 2026 will take place July 7-12, 2026 in San Diego, CA USA. Applications will open soon. To be one of the first to be notified when information is announced and applications open, please join the 2026 early interest list.

Program costs for 2026 will be announced soon! The program fee covers the cost of event admission, all program materials, all meals and room and board.  There is no program fee for Youth Leaders, Youth Captains and Captains.

Age requirements are based on participant’s age at the time of our program. We are unable to make age exceptions. The age requirements are:

Ambassadors (First-Time Participants) are 14-16 years-old and have not previously attended GYLS.

Alumni (Returning Participants) are 15-17 years-old and have attended GYLS as an Ambassador.

Youth Leaders (Returning Participants) are 16-17 years-old and have previously attended GYLS as an Ambassador and Alumni. This is an invitation-only role.

Youth Captains (Volunteers) are 18-21 years old and have attended GYLS as an Ambassador and Alumni.

Captains (Volunteers) are 22 years+ and have attended a Tony Robbins Unleash the Power event.

The youth application process includes and requires: 

1. Photo Identification that verifies applicant’s date of birth. All applicants must be able to provide proof of age.

2. Letter of Recommendation from a guidance counselor, community leader, coach or someone outside of your immediate family. The letter should not be from your parent, guardian, friend or someone who has previously attended GYLS. The letter should be signed and dated for this year and support why you should be selected to attend GYLS in the role that you are applying for.

3. Volunteer and Leadership work. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer work in the last year and submit a document with the dates, hours and a description of the volunteer work. Please refer to the format of this Sample Volunteer List Document to prepare your submission. Alumni & Youth Leaders must also include and describe all leadership roles they have been a part of since attending GYLS as an Ambassador.* Please refer to the format of this Sample Volunteer & Leadership List Document to prepare your submission.

4. Complete a Virtual Interview (eg Zoom) with a member of our Foundation team (to be scheduled once the online application has been submitted). This is a short 10-15 minute interview with the goal of getting to know you, just relax and be yourself! Alumni and Youth Leaders will be required to submit a video interview.* Instructions will be sent once your online application has been submitted.

*The Youth Leader Role is invitation-only. Invitation to apply does not guarantee selection.

Step 1 – Complete your Application: All participants and volunteers must submit a completed online application. Applications must be submitted in one session as it does not save your progress. See, “What are Application Requirements?” for full application details.

Step 2 – Complete an Interview:  Upon submitting your online application, you should receive a confirmation email with specific instructions on completing your interview.

For Ambassadors and Captains, interviews are conducted virtually with a Foundation team member. For Alumni, Youth Leaders and Youth Captains, a video interview must be submitted for review.

If you do not receive this email, your application is considered incomplete and has not been submitted. If you feel you’ve submitted your application but did not receive this email, please contact us at globalyouthleadershipsummit@thetonyrobbinsfoundation.org.

Step 3 – Foundation Team Review: Once your application and interview are complete, we will review everything and we aim to contact applicants within two weeks regarding the status of your application.

Step 4 – Complete Registration & Payment: If/when you are accepted to attend GYLS, you will receive instructions to complete your registration and submit payment for your program fee. Both must be completed within 72hrs in order to secure your spot.  

The Alumni and Youth Leader selection process is highly competitive with very limited spots available. The Youth Leader Role is invitation-only. Invitation to apply does not guarantee selection.

Selections are made with the consideration of a number of factors, including but not limited to; applicant meets all application requirements, applicant’s video interview submission, the volunteer work and leadership roles the applicant has participated in since attending GYLS as well as feedback from Team leaders and Captains from your previous years at GYLS.

What are we looking for when selecting Alumni and Youth Leaders?

We are looking for an individual who was engaged, respectful and open to learning when they previously attended GYLS. Someone who, since attending, has taken what they learned and have had a positive impact on their community by participating in volunteer work and stepping into leadership roles. We are looking for individuals who will set an example for the new Ambassadors attending GYLS and those who are eager to step up as a leader.

Yes! We are always looking for passionate and experienced volunteers to join us at GYLS. We have two volunteer roles available, Youth Captains who are 18-21 years-old and Captains who are 22 years+ years-old. Volunteers may not attend at the same time as their children.

Our Adult Volunteers act as chaperones and crew members to both support our youth participant experience as well as play a hands-on role in the on-site logistics that bring it all together. Volunteers stay on-site for the duration of the event.

Volunteer Application Requirements:

1. Photo Identification that verifies applicant’s date of birth. All applicants must be able to provide proof of age.
2. Letter of Recommendation from a colleague that can speak on your past experience and qualifications. This letter can be from someone within the Tony Robbins’ environment, work place, or community.
3. Captains: Have attended a UPW event within the past two years. Preferably in-person. Youth Captains: Have attended GYLS as both an Ambassador and Alumni.
4. Complete an Interview virtually with our Foundation Team (to be scheduled after online application is reviewed). Youth Captains will submit a video interview (instructions will be sent once the online application has been submitted)

If selected, you will need to:

1. Pass a Background Check. Instructions will be provided once you are accepted
2. Complete the Darkness to Light Certification training course on preventing child abuse. Instructions will be provided once you are accepted
3. Attend Pre-Event Trainings are required in the weeks prior to GYLS 2026 and the entire duration of the event for a total of 7 days. Must be available onsite at the event.
4. Complete Additional Forms as requested upon acceptance to be completed prior to the event.

UPW Youth Leadership is held in conjunction with Tony Robbins Unleash the Power Within (UPW) Live Events. The Tony Robbins Foundation provides partial scholarships to students between the ages of 14-17 years-old to attend and participate in the UPW event with a group of their peers. The application requirements are listed on our UPWYL webpage HERE. Please note: because space is limited, not all applicants will be accepted.

Global Youth Leadership Summit was developed specifically for 14-17 year-old students (see age requirements below). It is a program traditionally held once a year. GYLS 2025 gathered over 400 participants from over 49 countries. The application requirements are listed above and on the online application. Applicants are selected to attend GYLS based on the quality of their application and the fulfillment of all requirements including the total number of community service hours they have performed and letter of recommendation5