The Signature Event Early-Bird Policy applies to team registration for all signature events in the VEX Robotics Competitions.
Rationale for Revised Policy
This policy is a result of feedback from the community regarding the existing system (checking how many registered team lists a team appears on when determining if a team can register during an Early-Bird period):
- Early season events are hard to fill as teams are saving their three events for later in the season.
- Many teams would have attended earlier season events if there was no perceived “penalty” for it.
- Event Partners need events to fill due to costs.
Signature Event Early-Bird Modification (beginning in the 2025-2026 season)
- Each team starts the season with three opportunities to register during the Signature Event Early Bird period (tokens).
- An opportunity is taken away each time the team registers for a Signature Event during the Signature Event Early-Bird period.
- If a team registers during the Standard Registration period, a token is not taken away.
- A Signature Event Early-Bird opportunity is not taken away if a team registers for a tournament hosted by their school or organization (where the team’s coach is the Event Partner).
Signature Event Early-Bird FAQs
If a team registers during Early Bird, then backs out does it still count as an Early Bird use?
Yes
How does team swapping work with the Signature Event token system?
The original team uses a token, and swapped in team is unaffected. This policy is still being debated and may be updated.
If I am hosting a Signature Event and register during that event’s Early Bird period, does it take a token away?
No
What happens when a team comes into the event from the waitlist?
If they are registered from the waitlist, it would consume a token only if the action is performed within the Signature Event Early-Bird period (not based on when they were added to the waitlist).