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2025-2026 Season Updates for VEX Robotics Competition Programs

Welcome coaches, Event Partners, and community members! Your VEX Robotics Programs Support team will post updates here for important information throughout the season. Bookmark this page for quick and easy reference of community updates.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Support Manager (RSM).

Frequently-Used Links

January 7, 2025

Community Feedback Needed!

We periodically include short surveys in monthly communications to gather feedback on a variety of topics. Some topics may be serious, researched considerations; others may be "outside the box" ideas that we want a quick reaction from the community on. We value all community feedback and use the input to drive short-term and long-term decisions.

January Topic: Competition Structure

Highlighted Rules & Reminders 

Below are a few rules that are being commonly misunderstood at events. The goal is to ensure that all teams have a fair, consistent, and positive experience at every tournament. Please review these rules & reminders carefully with your students, coaches, and volunteers.

VEX IQ Mix & Match Game Manual
VEX V5 Push Back Game Manual

Robots & Inspection

Coaches, please take a moment to check your teams' robots carefully against the inspection checklist for their program before each event to avoid surprises (size, parts, too-large expansion, etc.).

SG1 – Starting a Match

At the beginning of a match, the robot must be placed such that it meets all of the requirements listed in <SG1> for your program, including overall size and location on the field. If a robot can’t meet these conditions in a timely manner, the robot may be removed from the field. In most cases this won’t result in a disqualification, but the robot will not be allowed to participate in that match.

SG2 - Horizontal Expansion

Robots cannot expand horizontally beyond the size limit in this rule at any time in the Match. If a robot widens, extends arms sideways, or deploys any mechanism that expands beyond the limits of this rule, it is a violation that can lead to a disqualification and zero score for the match. This should be tested and shown during inspection.

SG3 - Vertical Expansion

In the VEX IQ Robotics Competition, once the match begins robots may expand vertically beyond the 15” starting size limit with no limits as long as they still comply with all other rules and don’t interfere with field objects in an illegal way.

In the VEX V5 Robotics Competition, robots cannot expand vertically beyond the size limit in rule <SG3> at any time in the match.

VEX IQ Drive Teams Consist of 3 Team Members!

We’re seeing IQ teams arrive at the field with only two students. A team’s driver 1, driver 2, and loader can be different for each match, but all of them have to be members of that team. A VEX IQ drive team consists of:

  1. Driver 1 - Drives the robot for the first 30 seconds 
  2. Driver 2 - Drives the robot for the last 30 seconds 
  3. Loader - Places pins/beams into the field for the whole match 

If a team only has two drive team members present:

  • They will not have a loader, or
  • The team’s robot won’t be allowed to operate at all during the last 25 seconds of each teamwork match, which is a huge competitive disadvantage

Important Notes:

  • The 3rd person can be any student who isn’t a member of another team, as long as they meet the game manual’s definition of a student.
  • However, that student cannot be a member of another team, and becomes a member of your team for the rest of the current season.
  • There is no option to “borrow” a member of another team, even for a single match or event
  • Coaches, parents, and adults can’t be drive team members

Please make sure your teams understand rules <G5> and <GG11> before arriving at the event so matches can run smoothly and fairly.

Reminder: Our Programs are Student Centered

The Student-Centered Policy and Code of Conduct are non-negotiable. If you have students, adults, or coaches who are unfamiliar with these expectations, please review the policies with them before your next event. 

Adult Behavior Guidelines
RECF Code of Conduct
RECF Student-Centered Policy

Although the Student-Centered Policy allows an adult to help in some situations, even a simple touch can be misinterpreted and reported by other teams. An adult touching a robot or interacting with the field at any time may be misunderstood as a rule violation and trigger a Code of Conduct investigation. 

Depending on the severity of the violation, consequences for confirmed violations can include:

  • Removal from judged awards
  • Disqualification from the tournament
  • Season-long sanctions for the team

Tips for Uploading Notebooks

Coaches, when you upload your team’s notebook for a tournament it is a good idea to double check the link that you are submitting. Some school districts will add a ‘security lock’ onto the URL and it will not open on computers outside of the district. Checking it on a computer outside of your school district is a great way to make sure that judges will be able to review it!

Online Challenges

Online Challenges are live! Explore one (or more) for your team to participate in. Monetary awards and 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship invitations are up for grabs. The team MUST be registered and paid in RobotEvents for the 2026 season to be able to participate.

Free Training with Upcoming RECF Webinars

Whether you’re brand new in a role or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities. These are live webinars with opportunities for Q&A time. Please register on RobotEvents.com to receive webinar links for your preferred sessions. 

  • January 8, Coach Training - Preparing for the Event Region Championship
  • January 15, Head Referee Training - How to Train Scorekeeper Referees
  • January 21, Judge and Judge Advisor Webinar
  • January 22, EP Training - Growing and Sustaining: From Learner to Leader

Coach Academy Training and Office Hours

The Coach Academy offers a free, online, asynchronous set of courses that utilizes the Moodle platform at training.recf.org to assist coaches on staying up-to-date with the latest RECF policies, procedures, and resources. Complete courses at your own pace and earn Verified Coach badges and professional development credit!

Coaches can also sign up to attend one-on-one or group office hours calls led by RECF staff, with upcoming topics such as preparing for an ERC, Strategic Design: Iterating for the VEX World Championship, and more!

Preparing for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship

As your team prepares for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, please remember that any hotel room reservation has to be made through Orchid Events prior to April 2nd, 2026. Take a look at the Information for Hotel Reservations document to learn about deadlines, deposits, booking, and cancellation policies.  

December 3, 2025

December 19th, 2025 - Team Registration Deadline

Thinking about adding another team? If your program has seen an increase in student interest, be sure to register any additional teams before December 19, 2025.

Online Challenges

Online Challenges are now live! Explore one (or more) for your team to participate in. Monetary awards and 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship invitations are up for grabs. The team MUST be registered with RobotEvents to be able to participate.

Community Feedback Needed!

We periodically include short surveys in monthly communications to gather feedback on a variety of topics. Some topics may be serious, researched considerations; others may be "outside the box" ideas that we want a quick reaction from the community on. We value all community feedback and use the input to drive short-term and long-term decisions.

December Topic: Communications

Free Training with Upcoming RECF Webinars

Whether you’re brand new in a role or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities. These are live webinars with opportunities for Q&A time. Please register on RobotEvents.com to receive webinar links for your preferred sessions. 

  • December 18, Head Referee Training - Head Referee General Discussion
  • December 18, Judge & Judge Advisor Training - RECF Judging Webinar and Q&A
  • January 8, Coach Training - Preparing for the Event Region Championship
  • January 22, EP Training - Growing and Sustaining: From Learner to Leader

New VEX Education Resources

Have you been curious about using vr.vex.com? Good news! All of the virtual playgrounds, including playgrounds for this season’s competition games, are unlocked and free during the entire month of December.

In addition to that, VEX Education has lots of new resources to help your team with coding.

November 5, 2025

Team Registration Deadline

Thinking about adding another team? If your program has seen an increase in student interest, be sure to register any additional teams before December 19, 2025.

Online Challenges

Online Challenges are now live! Explore one (or more) for your team to participate in. Monetary awards and 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship invitations are up for grabs. 

RECF Training Materials - New Landing Page

Looking to expand your knowledge as a volunteer, Event Partner, or Coach? Visit recf.org/recf-trainings/ for information about all of our training opportunities, find links to all certifications and the Coach Academy, and view recordings of past EP and Coach webinars.

Community Feedback Needed!

We periodically include short surveys in monthly communications to gather feedback on a variety of topics. Some topics may be serious, researched considerations; others may be "outside the box" ideas that we want a quick reaction from the community on. We value all community feedback and use the input to drive short-term and long-term decisions.

November Topic: VEX IQ Robotics Competition Match Count

Grants Still Available

Need additional funding? There’s still time to apply for a grant to help cover registration costs. Visit the grants page for details. The application deadline is December 1, 2025. The fee waiver deadline is November 14th, 2025, so if you qualify for one of those now is the time to apply. 

Free Training with Upcoming RECF Webinars

Whether you’re brand new in a role or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities. These are live webinars with opportunities for Q&A time. Please register on RobotEvents.com to receive webinar links for your preferred sessions. 

Student Advocacy Makes a Difference

Is your team ready to use their passion for robotics to advance STEM education nationwide? Do you enjoy connecting with other robotics students who share the same drive? One of our partners, the Student Association for STEM Advocacy (SASA), offers the perfect opportunity to do just that!

This June, SASA will host its 2026 National Advocacy Conference (NAC) in Washington, D.C. Students will learn directly from professionals how to effectively advocate for STEM education and take their skills to Capitol Hill, where they will advocate to their elected officials. 

The conference begins with a day and a half of training, equipping students with practical, transformational advocacy skills. Afterward, participants will have the opportunity to meet with their members of Congress, representing robotics and STEM education students across the nation.

Teams and individuals from every state are invited, with no prior advocacy experience required. Whether you’re new to advocacy or already interested in policy, NAC is your chance to create real change in your community and beyond.

Learn more about this year’s conference and REGISTER NOW at mysasa.org/nac. 

Questions? Email staff@mysasa.org.

New Volunteer Recruitment Video

Event volunteers are the heart and soul of VEX competitions. We rely on Referees to keep things fair, Emcees to keep things exciting, and Queuers to keep things on schedule! Volunteering at a competition is easy to learn, fun to do, and rewarding for everyone involved. This video is a great way to attract and inform potential volunteers.

Key Volunteers Needed

Do you want to know what it takes to be a Key Volunteer at the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship? Find the information and interest forms in this article. 

Signature Events Applications Open

Signature Events have a level of technical expertise, production value, and overall event quality that is above and beyond that of a standard tournament.  The mission of these events is to provide more opportunities for teams that may or may not typically attend Event Region Championships or the VEX Robotics World Championship to experience an event of that level. Signature Events that meet the necessary requirements can qualify teams directly to the VEX Robotics World Championship.

Experienced RECF Event Partners who are interested in hosting a Signature Event must review the requirements and complete the application process each season. The process consists of three parts:

  1. Review the Signature Event Requirements.
  2. New Signature Events: Complete the Signature Event Initial Proposal by January 31, 2026 (general concept of the event / overall purpose).
  3. New and Existing Signature Events: Submit the Final Application (specifics of the event regarding logistics, operation, management, and team experience) by March 31, 2026. The Final Application is given to the Event Partner upon approval of the Initial Proposal. The Final Application must include a detailed budget and event layout diagram.

New Resources in the RECF Library

October 1, 2025

Immediate Updates to Rule G4

VEX Robotics and the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) recognize that the Student-Centered Policy and its associated rules, particularly <G4>, have not been as effective as intended in upholding the spirit of a student-centered robotics competition. On September 24, the Game Design Committee published an immediate update to <G4> on the official Q&A platforms for VIQRC and V5RC. Our hope is to be more direct regarding what is not allowed, and more clear about the consequences for Teams found in violation.

We want to strongly emphasize that VEX Robotics and the RECF condemn all practices that undermine the student-centered nature of our competitions—including, but not limited to, the unauthorized dissemination and illegal use of Robot designs from third parties and other teams. We also want to reaffirm our commitment to enforcing these standards. Teams found to be in violation will face the strictest consequences.

Community Feedback Needed!

We periodically include short surveys in monthly communications to gather feedback on a variety of topics. Some topics may be serious, researched considerations; others may be "outside the box" ideas that we want a quick reaction from the community on. We value all community feedback and use the input to drive short-term and long-term decisions.

October Topic: Signature Event Attendance

Time Sensitive!!! Team Registration Deadline is December 19th, 2025

Before you register teams for your first tournament, check to make sure:

Time Sensitive!!! Deadline for Posting Events is November 1st, 2025! 

The deadline for posting events is coming up on November 1st, 2025. If you want to host an event there is still time and your RSM is happy to help guide you as you go through the process. Please remember that there is about a 9 week window needed for the event to be posted on line. So right now we are looking at the opportunity to host events in mid December and on.

Event Partner Advisory Board Applications

The RECF Advisory Boards are groups of selected community members that provide input and feedback to the RECF and the VEX Robotics Competition community. Applications are open to individuals from all geographical areas and all experience levels. The recommendations presented by the Advisory Boards influence strategic initiatives, policy, services, competition, and the overall effectiveness of our robotics programs. Join us for this season!

Event Partner Advisory Board applications close on October 5, 2025.

Time Sensitive!! 2025-26 Online Challenges: Cycle 1 closes October 29th

Cycle 1 is open for submissions now! This season’s Online Challenges are organized into three themed cycles, each released at different times in the competition season. Winners are announced following the judging period for each cycle.

Cycle 1 is open now! Start working on your submission today. 

  • Closes for Submissions: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT
  • Win prize packages of $150, $100, or $50 for your program!

Cycles 2 & 3 will be released in November 2025.

90 Days Past Due Payments

Please remember that as of this season, any purchase order or payment that is 90 or more days past due will prevent a team from registering for events this season until that invoice has been paid. This also means that if an EP waived your team’s registration fee for any reason (for example, if they offered free registration in exchange for you bringing a field) but forgot to mark it paid, this will affect you. Please keep an eye on your account to make sure your registrations are paid. Let your accounting department know about any unresolved purchase orders or payments to prevent issues with event registration.

Drive Team Training Courses

We have worked out the final details of student access to the new training platform, and have now published Drive Team Training Courses for both V5RC and VIQRC. These single-topic courses are designed to teach team members the nuances of the game rules and how tournaments are run. Students are expected to understand the rules of the game, and to advocate for themselves if they feel the rules are being misapplied or misunderstood by the Head Referee or other event personnel. You’re welcome to use these courses and the final exam however you like in your teams, organizations, and classrooms.

Student Association for STEM Advocacy Video

The Student Association for STEM Advocacy (SASA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization comprised of passionate students, mentors, parents, volunteers, and experts. SASA serves as a platform for fostering dialogue, organizing events, and implementing initiatives that support STEM education and after-school STEM programs like robotics. SASA runs the National Advocacy Conference annually each June in Washington, DC, and promotes state advocacy efforts within STEM communities through state advocacy conferences. Watch this video to learn more, and consider joining in.

Free Training with Upcoming RECF Webinars

Whether you’re brand new in a role or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities.  These are live webinars with opportunities for Q&A time. Please register on RobotEvents.com to receive webinar links for your preferred sessions. 

Recordings of Coach and Event Partner Training Webinars

Although we would love for you to attend the webinars in real time to be able to ask your Q&As, we are now providing recordings of the past few Coach & Event Partner Training Webinars as another great resource. These are now linked in this article along with all of the upcoming dates and topics for the season.

Coach Academy

The RECF Coach Academy is another resource for our coaches, and offers a few different ways for you to gain some more coaching knowledge. You can complete self paced training courses at training.recf.org, or join our staff for open office hours to dive a little deeper on certain topics. You can find times and topics in this article.

VEX Firmware Updates

Events are starting up, and that means making sure teams are ready to compete. Along with doing a self-inspection of your robot before you attend your first event, also confirm that you are up to date with the latest firmware for the team’s robot brain and that the correct team name is coded to the correct robot/controller. For events using the V5 Smart Field controllers this is absolutely essential.

Spectator Reference Sheets

These 2-page spectator reference sheets for the 2025-2026 season games, VIQRC Mix & Match and V5RC Push Back, can be shared in event emails, printed for distribution at event check-in, or linked to a QR code around the venue. Be sure to also tell spectators about the other resources available to them at audience.vex.com, parents.vex.com and volunteers.vex.com!

September 3, 2025

Reminders!!!

Before you register teams for your first tournament, check to make sure:

Community Feedback Needed!

We periodically include short surveys in monthly communications to gather feedback on a variety of topics. Some topics may be serious, researched considerations; others may be "outside the box" ideas that we want a quick reaction from the community on. We value all community feedback and use the input to drive short-term and long-term decisions.

September Topic: The Community Award

Apply to the Coach Advisory Board

The Coach Advisory Board (CAB) is an open-forum group of coaches that provides advice and opinions on pressing coach/team issues to the RECF and VEX Robotics Competition community. Recommendations presented by the CAB influence the goals, services, and overall effectiveness of our robotics programs.

The CAB meets monthly, usually on Wednesdays at 8pm EST. CAB members should plan to attend at least 10 out of 12 annual meetings. The CAB term is two competition seasons and we are looking for a diversely represented population—with a range of experience levels from new to very veteran—with a mix of coaches from all VEX Robotics Competition programs.

The Coach Advisory Board Application closes September 30, 2024.

2025 - 26 Online Challenges

Cycle 1 is now visible! This season’s Online Challenges are organized into three themed cycles, each released at different times in the competition season. Winners are announced following the judging period for each cycle.

Cycle 1 - Now Visible! Start working on your submission today. 

  • Opens for Submissions: Monday, September 15, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT
  • Closes for Submissions: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM CDT
  • Win prize packages of $150, $100 or $50 for your program!

Cycles 2 & 3

  • Release Date: November 2025

NASA Returning Team Grant 

The grant season is fully open, including NASA grants for returning high school teams. Use the link below to complete your Grant Pre-Survey. Please note: once submitted, you’ll be prompted to select your program and submit a full application in our new Blackbaud grantmaking portal. https://www.robotevents.com/grants

If you need assistance or have questions, contact grants@recf.org.

Virtual Skills

VEXcode Virtual Skills are now live for both VIQRC and V5RC. You will receive a Virtual Key to the playgrounds for this season’s game with a paid team registration. 

Scholarship Information

Did you know that we have a list of scholarships for VEX Robotics students? We are excited to work with more than 100 universities, colleges, and organizations who offer scholarship opportunities to students who compete in our programs. Share this link with your students and their families!

Branding

If you want to use the RECF or VEX Robotics logos for your tournaments or gear, make sure that you follow the branding guidelines. All media can be found at https://recf.org/about-us/media/.

New Event Partner Resources

At the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship, we filmed footage for a new intro video for event meetings. We have always offered a basic script for Event Partners to use, but feedback over the last few years suggested the need for a consistent, visual resource to cover some of the basics that are the same at every event. With the help of community members from across the world, we created a short 5-minute video. We hope this will help Event Partners at the start of events. The video is linked in the following RECF Library articles:

If you were not aware, we also have a special resource for VEX V5 Robotics Competitions to help explain and demonstrate the alliance selection process. That video can be found in the Video: How Does Alliance Selection Work article.

Finding Volunteers

Finding volunteers for events can be one of the most taxing parts of an Event Partner’s role. These organizations are not associated with the RECF, but may be great options for you to find qualified volunteers. 

You can also use our Email Template to Recruit Volunteer Judges from the RECF Library. Just input the information for your event and share!

Free Training with Upcoming RECF Webinars

Whether you’re brand new in a role or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities.  

You’ll find all of the dates and topics for the season in this article.

New RECF Resources

RECF Library

VEX Robotics Library

August 6, 2025

Upcoming RECF Training Webinars

The REC Foundation offers webinars for coaches, Event Partners, Judge Advisors, and Head Referees to help you navigate the season and improve your knowledge and skills. Whether you’re brand new in a role, or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities.  

Upcoming Sessions

You’ll find all of the coach and EP dates and topics for the season in this article.

Updated Guide to Judging

The Guide to Judging has been updated this season to help teams and volunteers navigate the rules and resources.

  • Past season Q&As have been integrated into the document
  • Added reference tags such as <JP1> to add structure for verbiage references
  • Added “Quick Reference” list of reference tags

Qualifying Criteria Updated on August 1st

You can view the current version of the Qualifying Criteria document here.

  • January 31 cutoff for Skills Only events
  • Modified organizational capacity requirements at events (an organization can only represent up to 25% of registered teams)
  • Clarification for what happens when a VEX Robotics World  Championship-qualifying award is not handed out at an Event Region Championship
  • Initial spot allocations for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship (remainder to be allocated in January based on active team counts)

The Million Dollar Question: “What do we do with the old game elements?”

For starters, if you're a V5RC coach make sure that you keep the metal plates that go underneath the field tiles. But what about all the game elements that keep piling up in your storage closet? Our friends at VEX have put together a list of ideas to Repurpose and Reuse Game Elements.

Online Challenges Re-imagined!

Online Challenges give teams opportunities to showcase their skills and win prizes, and are a benefit provided to registered teams. This season, the Online Challenges will be divided into 3 cycles to better fit in with activities in your classroom and the creation of your teams and robots. 

  • Cycle 1: Ignite - August through November
  • Cycle 2: Innovate - November through February
  • Cycle 3, Impact - August to February

Keep an eye out for more information coming soon!

Important VEXcode News!

VEX is updating all VEXcode platforms with high-contrast coding blocks. 

Google discontinued all Chrome Apps effective July 2025, which means that Chrome users no longer have access to app-based VEXcode. 

  • VEX Robotics recommends that Chrome Apps users switch to web-based VEXcode IQ using Google Chrome on Chromebooks.
  • For guidance on transitioning from App-based to Web-based VEXcode IQ, this article in the VEX Library will walk you through the process.
  • For live links to download VEX Code and other useful information  please click here.

Competition 101 - New VEX STEM Labs 

Whether you’re a brand new coach with teams who are just getting started in the VEX Robotics Competitions or an experienced coach looking for new ways to help your students work better together, you’ll find something useful in this excellent new resource created by VEX Education. These new STEM Labs will help you prepare for your team’s first VIQRC 2025-26 Mix & Match competition as they learn to build and drive the Hero Bot, create a game strategy, improve their robot, and collaborate successfully with their teammates!

VEX IQ Robotics

VEX V5 Robotics

Student Advisory Board Application Deadline Extended to Friday, September 12

The application deadline for the 2025-2026 Student Advisory Board (SAB) has been extended to Friday, September 12th! The SAB is open to high school students who would like to share their time and talents with the RECF and provide their insights to our programs and future plans.

Student Advisory Board Application 

Hosting a Parent Bootcamp for Your Team 

Perhaps you are already thinking about what your team will look like next year and planning on how to better inform your parents on what their student’s participation on a robotics team is all about. Consider Hosting a Parent Bootcamp for your team to set guidelines, expectations and provide excitement. We have put together a simple plan for how that can be done, complete with agenda and talking points. You can also send them to this article about how parents can help.

Team Registration for 2025-26 is Open!

Because a paid team registration is necessary for your VEX Robotics team to be able to compete in local tournaments throughout the season we are keeping this in all of the updates. The deadline to register a team is December 19th, 2025. You can register by going to the new revamped RobotEvents.com.  

  • There are also other ways you and your teams can benefit from registering. If you are wondering what’s included with a US team registration this article will give you more information about registering a VEX Robotics Competition team.
  • If you have not yet uploaded the correct documentation on your RobotEvents.com account to confirm that your team is a school based or non for profit organization, please do so as soon as possible.  You will not be able to register for an event until that documentation is uploaded and confirmed by your RSM. Use the templates below to help you out.
  • If you are registering for a brand new organization and need a team number, you can search the list of available numbers on the RobotEvents VEX Robotics  program page (VIQRC/V5RC). But you can also just go with the random number that the system chooses for you.

New RECF Resources

RECF.org

RECF Library

RECF Certifications and Training for Coaches & Volunteers

July 2, 2025

Team Registration for 2025-26 is Open!

We touched on this in June, and will probably continue until the deadline in December. A paid team registration is necessary for your VEX Robotics team to be able to compete in local tournaments throughout the season. You can register by going to the newly revamped RobotEvents.com.  

  • There are also other ways you and your teams can benefit from registering. Check out the articles “What’s Included With a US Team-Registration” and “Registering a VEX Robotics Competition Team” for more information.
  • If you haven’t yet uploaded the correct documentation on your RobotEvents.com account to confirm that your team is a school based or non-profit organization, please do so as soon as possible.  You won’t be able to register for an event until that documentation is uploaded and confirmed by your RSM. The templates below are good starting points as you put that documentation together.
  • If you plan to register a brand new organization and need an organization number, you can search the list of available numbers on the RobotEvents program page (VIQRC/V5RC) to see if specific numbers are available. If you don’t request a specific available number, the system will select a random available number for you during registration. 

Signature Events: Early Bird Updates

The Early Bird system is changing for Signature Events only! The Signature Event Early Bird system is changing to a token system. Each team gets three virtual tokens to register for Signature Events during their Early Bird periods; registering for a Signature Event during regular registration (after Early Bird ends) does NOT use a token. This change allows teams to fill events after the early registration rush while still saving their Early Bird token for Signature Events that will open later.

Now Accepting Student Advisory Board Applications

We're now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Student Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB is open to high school students who would like to share their time and talents with RECF and provide their insights to our programs and future plans. The application will remain open through August 16th. 

Coaching: Next Steps

Registering your teams is only the beginning! Now that your teams are registered you can go to RobotEvents.com and search for events available in your region.

  • Register your teams for events - When you register your team, make sure that you finish the check-out process right away, even if that means choosing pay later or indicating that you’ll upload a PO as soon as you get it. Your registration will only stay in your cart for 5 minutes before it goes back into the system.
  • Familiarize yourself with Early Bird if it’s implemented in your region. Once a team has registered for 3 events (other than Signature Events, which have a different policy), they are no longer able to register during events’ Early Bird time frame. You can read more here.
  • Have you ever wondered where to find the guidelines that govern the ways tournaments and leagues are run? You can find all of that in the Qualifying Criteria, along with the awards charts and allocations.  

Start an IRHS Chapter

Does your school want to start an IRHS Chapter? Find out what the International Robotics Honor Society is all about and join other students in this prestigious program that recognizes high school students for excellence—not only for their efforts on competitive robotics teams, but for academics, personal character, and community service. Applications to begin a chapter at your school open July 1st and close September 30th, 2025. Please visit recf.org/irhs for additional resources and information. If you need more help, contact IRHS@recf.org.

RECF Training Webinars in August

The RECF offers webinars for coaches, Event Partners, Judge Advisors, and Head Referees to help you navigate the season and improve your knowledge and skills. Whether you’re brand new in a role or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities.  

Upcoming Sessions

  • Coach Training Webinar - Registering for the 2025-2026 Season!
    • August 7th, 2025, 6:00-7:00 PM Central Time
    • Register on RobotEvents.com
    • Topics: A lot will be a rerun of the webinar in June, but we will be covering registering for the season, updates to the RECF organization policy, new resources, and more!
  • Event Partner Training Webinar - Dos and Don'ts of an Event
    • August 21st, 2025, 6:00-7:00 PM Central Time
    • Register on RobotEvents.com
    • Topics: There’s a lot to think about when you host an event. Learn some of the best practices and what mistakes to avoid.

The dates for all of this season’s webinars for Coaches and Event Partners are available in this article if you want to plan ahead!

Partner Webinar on RECF Industry Certifications

  • Virtual Training on the RECF Pre-Engineering and Robotics Certification
    • August 5, 2025, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Central Time
    • Register and pay on the ITEEA website
    • Topics: Understanding and implementing the RECF Pre-Engineering and Robotics Certification in your classroom; fundamentals of engineering; engineering design process; building blocks of technology 

The Guide to Judging is Updated

We just released an updated version of the Guide to Judging, including revised rubrics and resources. The changelog on page 3 outlines major changes; the most noticeable of these are the “Reference tags” that make it easier to find and reference information in the guide.  The next update is scheduled for August. As in the past, our plan is to take community feedback from early season events, the RECF Summit, and suggestions from experienced volunteers to make adjustments as needed from this initial 25-26 season release.

Have You Considered Hosting an Event? 

Running a VEX IQ, VEX 5, VEX AI, or VEX U Robotics Competition event is a great way to become more engaged in your local robotics community, and can be a good source of funding for your own VEX Robotics teams. Visit the 25/26 Event Partner Certification, check out this article, or reach out to your RSM for more information or to get started!

Important VEXcode news!

Google has announced that they will discontinue all Chrome Apps effective July 2025, which means that users will not be able to use app-based VEXcode. 

  • VEX Robotics recommends that Chrome Apps users switch to web-based VEXcode IQ using Google Chrome on Chromebooks.
  • For guidance on transitioning from app-based to web-based VEXcode IQ, this article in the VEX Library will walk you through the process.
  • For other useful information including live links to download VEXcode, please click here.

Start Planning Now for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship

It sounds far away now, but before you know it teams and volunteers will be heading for the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. You can start your organization’s planning now with the tips and information on this page of the RECF website.

And Last but Not Least, Recharging

Summer break is more than a pause from the classroom; it could be a time to reflect, recharge, and reimagine our classrooms. Just as you teach your students to embrace iteration in the STEM classroom, teachers also benefit from cycles of personal and professional growth. Summer reading offers a space for that iteration. Whether you’re exploring fresh pedagogical strategies, rethinking your approach to student engagement, or seeking inspiration to refine your teaching identity, the right book can help you return to the classroom with renewed clarity and purpose. Visit this link for some VEX Education summer reading suggestions for 2025.

June 4, 2025

Team Registration for 2025-26 is Open!

  • If your organization is returning for the 2025-26 season, you may need to begin your bi-annual background check before you can register your team. Background checks expire every two years on June 30th. Follow the steps in the REC Library article linked above to learn how to check your RobotEvents Dashboard to see if your background check needs to be renewed.
  • Verify that your designated team contacts are assigned correctly and have up-to-date contact information by logging into your RobotEvents account and clicking on Dashboard in the left-side navigation menu.
  • If you’re retiring, changing roles, or otherwise leaving your team, PLEASE be sure to update your contact information in RobotEvents, and complete the Regional Support Request Form to have your Primary Coach Contact changed.
  • If your background check is up to date, you can review the REC Foundation’s updated Organizational Policy and then register your teams.
  • Upload the correct documentation on your Robotevents.com account to confirm that your team is a school based or non for profit organization. You will not be able to register for an event until that documentation is uploaded and confirmed by your RSM.
  • If the team is still in your cart and the registration deadline passes, you will NOT be able to pay or compete this season. If you have questions or need to pay with a Purchase Order, email accounting@recf.org.
  • Beginning in the 2025-26 competition season, teams with unpaid purchase orders or unpaid event registrations that are 90 days past due will not be able to register for events.

Resources for the 2025-26 Season Games

  • Official Game Manuals and Resources - Version 0.1 manuals for Push Back and Mix & Match are out, with minor updates coming on June 5, 2025, and v1.0 updates scheduled for June 26, 2025.
  • Official Q&A System is open! - Before posting on the Q&A system, be sure to review the Q&A Usage Guidelines (VIQRC / V5RC / VURC / VAIRC).
  • Check out the VEX Forum - It includes some great discussion along with some information from the GDC.
  • Build instructions for Huey & Dex, the herobots for the 2025-26 season, will be available soon. These are a great starting point for your students to utilize their design process skills and improve the robot as they go along.

RECF Training and Certification Courses

Our volunteer training certification courses are moving to a new platform for the 2025-26 season, with a lot of new features. You can find the current lineup at https://training.recf.org/, and new content will continue to be launched over the next few months.

For access to courses, you'll need to create a new account in that system. Once you're successfully logged in, choose your program from the list on the home page and select a course to begin. Click on “My Courses” in the top left to continue courses and programs in later visits.

If you are a coach who considered hosting an event, the summer is a great time to complete the Event Partner Certification so that you are ready to go in the fall when you return to school.

Available Now

  • 2025-26 VEX IQ Head Referee Certification
  • 2025-26 VEX V5 Head Referee Certification

Coming Soon

  • 2025-26 VEX U Head Referee Certification
  • 2025-26 VEX AI Head Referee Certification
  • 2025-26 Event Partner Certification
  • 2025-26 Judge Advisor Certification
  • Coach Training Courses
  • Training content for additional volunteer roles

RECF Training Webinars

The REC Foundation offers webinars for coaches, Event Partners, Judge Advisors, and Head Referees to help you navigate the season and improve your knowledge and skills. Whether you’re brand new in a role, or a seasoned veteran, you’ll learn something new by attending webinars and joining the related communities. 

Upcoming Sessions

  • Coach Training Webinar - Welcome to the 2025-2026 Season!
    • June 17th, 2025, 6:00 PM Central Time
    • Register on RobotEvents
    • Topics: Registering for the season, assigning team contacts, updates to the RECF organization policy, new resources, and more!

Stay tuned for the Event Partner and Coach Training Webinar schedule for the whole season being released in July. 

Running a VEX Robotics Camp this summer? 

VEX takes the guesswork out of planning and running a camp by giving you everything you will need to host a VEX Robotics Camp for your students.

  • Visit camps.vex.com for preplanned camp activities.
  • Choose the timeline that works for you. 

2025-26 Grant Season is Open!

  • You can stay informed by regularly visiting the REC Foundation Grants page to find the latest updates, eligibility requirements, and available funding opportunities.
  • Reach out to grants@recf.org directly if you have any questions about available grants.

2025 SASA National Advocacy Conference

Are you looking for a way to see your Civics class lessons in real life, while supporting STEM education? Represent the REC Foundation at the 2025 National Advocacy Conference!

  • Consider entering the advocacy world with one of our partners, the Student Association for STEM Advocacy (SASA)!
  • SASA’s National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC, this June is an opportunity to meet other robotics teams from across the country, learn from professionals who promote STEM education to Congress, and become an advocate yourself.
  • For questions, email staff@mysasa.org.

ITEEA and REC Foundation Pre-Engineering and Robotics Certification

Are you ready to bring cutting-edge pre-engineering and robotics education to your classroom? Our new virtual training will help you understand and implement the REC Foundation Pre-Engineering and Robotics Certification byDesign course that is aligned to these industry certifications.

The RECF provides two industry certifications (Pre-Engineering and Robotics) for schools, students in engineering related programs, and robotics clubs.