Signature Events

REC Foundation Signature Events

Looking for a taste of the VEX Robotics World Championship experience but can’t wait until April? We've got you covered with REC Foundation Signature Events! These experiences offer an amped-up version of tournament play and will challenge your team as you compete for robotic glory on the field.

The 2025-2026 Signature Event Application Season

The 2025-2026 Signature Event Application Season opens on November 1, 2024. If you currently host a Signature Event, or are considering hosting one for the first time, please check out the application instructions and new updates for the upcoming season.

2025-2026 Signature Event Application Reminders:

  1. Existing Signature Events only need to complete the Final Application (due by March 31, 2025)
  2. New Signature Event concepts will need to complete the Initial Proposal by January 31, 2025 and if approved, complete the Final Application by March 31, 2025.

2025-2026 Signature Event Updates:

  1. An Event Partner wanting to apply to host a Signature Event must have hosted events for at least 2 seasons prior to applying. 
  2. Signature Events must use the officially branded award banners for the Excellence Award and Tournament/Teamwork Champions Award.
  3. When hanging field skirts the VEX Robotics logo/brand name can not be covered up on the competition fields.
  4. VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Events may have regional capacity and max per organization restrictions lifted 8 weeks before the event if the event is not full (similar to the process already in place for VEX IQ Robotics Competition Signature Events).
  5. Minimum pit size reduced to 8’x8’ instead of 10’x10’.
  6. Beginning in the 2025-2026 season, the REC Foundation will collect $10 instead of $5 per team registration on all Signature Events. This is to help offset travel costs for REC Foundation staff to support these larger events.

For more information, visit the REC Library!


Signature Events Videos

PlaylistHighlights

Signature Events 2024-25

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Event Program

Event Program

Minnesota Signature Event

August 1-3
Bloomington, MN
Program:
V5RC HS

The greatest two minutes in competitive robotics returned to the Minnesota Signature Event! The competition featured 100 teams competing in the 2024-2025 V5RC Competition: High Stakes.

Lobstah Bowl

September 12-14
Orono, Maine
Program:
V5RC HS

The first V5RC Signature Event in Maine will be held on September 12 -14 in 2024. This event will of course be a great opportunity for teams to compete with others from around the nation and world and experiment with early season strategies.

The event will be held at the University of Maine in Orono at their Main performance space, the Collins Center for the Arts.

The Highlander Summit

September 20-22
Newark, NJ
Program:
V5RC HS

Welcome to The Highlander Summit at NJIT. A brand new early season Signiture Event in the Northeast. The Highlander Summit will be a 2 Day event hosted in the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC) at NJIT in Newark, NJ. The WEC is a state-of-the-art 3,500-seat, NCAA Division 1 sports arena with ammenities like a 56.7 feet by 15.75 feet digital display.

The North Dakota Signature Event

October 31-November 2
Grand Forks, ND
Program:
V5RC HS

This fall, the greatest two minutes in competitive robotics is coming to Grand Forks North Dakota! The competition features 250 teams, competing in the 2024-2025 V5RC Challenge: High Stakes. As an early season Signature Event, this tournament is a magnet for highly skilled and talented VEX Robotics teams.   The student competitors dedicate hundreds of hours engineering and refining their robot designs in preparation for this event.  During your stay check out the indoor water park in the attached Canadinn Destination Center.  This event is hosted by the College of Engineering Mines at the University of North Dakota.  Come for the competition and to learn more about the educational opportunities offered at University of North Dakota.

Robo Roadshow

November 7-9
Tahlequah, OK
Program:
VIQRC ES

Join us for the Robo Roadshow, where innovation meets excitement! We are thrilled to showcase the brightest young minds in robotics to compete in the VIQRC: Rapid Relay robotics tournament. Spectators and participants will be able to enjoy STEM showcases and an exciting robotics tournament. 

Robo Roadshow

November 7-9
Tahlequah, OK
Program:
VIQRC MS

Join us for the Robo Roadshow, where innovation meets excitement! We are thrilled to showcase the brightest young minds in robotics to compete in the VIQRC: Rapid Relay robotics tournament. Spectators and participants will be able to enjoy STEM showcases and an exciting robotics tournament. 

Haunted

November 15-17
Birmingham, AL
Program:
V5RC HS

HAUNTED at SLOSS FURNACES is hosted and staffed by the original HAUNTED team, Chris Allen and Zea Miller; we are delighted to add Omar Zuaiter and Haroon Khouly to our hosting team. We have moved HAUNTED to a new home at the historic Sloss Furnaces, which has been featured in Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, Ghost Asylum, and dozens of other paranormal tv shows and podcasts.

Speedway

November 22-23
Speedway, IN
Program:
V5RC HS

DRIVERS, START YOUR ROBOTS! Welcome to SPEEDWAY: HIGH STAKES, Indiana's V5RC Signature Event.

The GREATEST SPECTACLE IN ROBOTICS is back at the world-famous Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Indiana, for the fifth running of the Speedway Signature Event! The Dallara IndyCar Factory is located just minutes away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the biggest spectator sporting venue in the World. Each year, it plays host to the Indianapolis 500, the premier event in IndyCar auto racing. 

For the fifth year running, the 2024 Speedway event will feature the Pit Stop Challenge, where participants compete to be the fastest team to change a tire on a real IndyCar! Additionally, Indy500 racing simulators will return to give participants the feel of driving 235 miles per hour around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Sky's the Limit

November 22-23
Oshkosh, WI
Program:
VIQRC MS

This event will take place in the prestigious EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Many details are still be worked out for this event, but the following features are being planned:

  • Competition will take place in the Eagle Hangar, surrounded by historic aircraft from the WWII era
  • Teams and spectators will be able to explore the many exhibits in the EAA Aviation Museum, chronicling the past, present and future of aviation
  • Teams can participate in optional STEM education activities during the first day of the event at the world-class educational facilities at the EAA Education Center
  • Custom event apparel will be available at the event
  • All team members will receive custom event memorabilia

Space City

November 22-23
Houston, TX
Program:
V5RC MS

Space City has long been on the schedule annually for teams from across the state of Texas, and in recent years teams from across the country.  We are happy to welcome you to our home for the first Space City Signature Event in 2024!  Space City is hosted at the Clear Creek ISD Robotics Event Center, the first dedicated space in the United States just for VEX Robotics Competitions.  The Robotics Event Center is home to over 30 VEX Robotics Competition events each year including the Texas Region 3 Championships, the RECF-UIL Texas High School Championships, Texas VEXU, and most recently the 2024 VEX AI World Championship.

Battle in Bangkok

November 23-24
Bangkok, Thailand
Program:
VIQRC ES

The Battle in Bangkok VIQRC Robotics Signature Event will be hosted at St Andrews International School Bangkok High School campus. This event is a great way to qualify for a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship. During your stay, there will be Thai themed activities that enable teams to indulge in Thai culture and foods and we look forward to welcoming 50 Elementary teams.

Battle in Bangkok

November 23-24
Bangkok, Thailand
Program:
VIQRC MS

The Battle in Bangkok VIQRC Robotics Signature Event will be hosted at St Andrews International School Bangkok High School campus. This event is a great way to qualify for a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship. During your stay, there will be Thai themed activities that enable teams to indulge in Thai culture and foods and we look forward to welcoming 50 Elementary teams.

Space City

November 25-26
Houston, TX
Program:
V5RC HS

Space City has long been on the schedule annually for teams from across the state of Texas, and in recent years teams from across the country.  We are happy to welcome you to our home for the first Space City Signature Event in 2024!  Space City is hosted at the Clear Creek ISD Robotics Event Center, the first dedicated space in the United States just for VEX Robotics Competitions.  The Robotics Event Center is home to over 30 VEX Robotics Competition events each year including the Texas Region 3 Championships, the RECF-UIL Texas High School Championships, Texas VEXU, and most recently the 2024 VEX AI World Championship.

WAVE at WPI

December 5-7
Worcester, MA
Program:
V5RC HS

The sixth annual WAVE at WPI is shaping up to be one of our best events yet! WAVE is a 2.5 day event from December 5th through 7th, hosted in Harrington Auditorium at WPI in Worcester, MA. WPI is a nationaly recognized science and engineering university that focuses on project-based learning. WPI was the first university in the United States with a Robotics Engineering bachelors of science degree, and WPI has been hosting robotics events on campus for over 20 years. Teams attending WAVE will have an opportunity to tour WPI and see some of our robotics labs. All VEX participants (HS Seniors) are eligible to apply for the WPI VEX Scholarship. For more information: https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships-grants/wpi-merit/vex-scholarships

Riverbots III

December 6-7
Monroe, MI
Program:
VIQRC ES

It is a good day because you have elected to attend and compete at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. The RiverBots III Signature Event is the only Signature Event in MI and the only one at a National Park. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the Battle of Frenchtown as the only national battlefield marking a site of the War of 1812. 

Riverbots III

December 8-9
Monroe, MI
Program:
VIQRC MS

It is a good day because you have elected to attend and compete at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. The RiverBots III Signature Event is the only Signature Event in MI and the only one at a National Park. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the Battle of Frenchtown as the only national battlefield marking a site of the War of 1812. 

Riverbots III

December 13-14
Monroe, MI
Program:
V5RC HS

It is a good day because you have elected to attend and compete at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. The RiverBots III Signature Event is the only Signature Event in MI and the only one at a National Park. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the Battle of Frenchtown as the only national battlefield marking a site of the War of 1812. 

Riverbots III

December 13-14
Monroe, MI
Program:
V5RC HS

It is a good day because you have elected to attend and compete at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. The RiverBots III Signature Event is the only Signature Event in MI and the only one at a National Park. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the Battle of Frenchtown as the only national battlefield marking a site of the War of 1812. 

Riverbots III

December 15-16
Monroe, MI
Program:
V5RC MS

It is a good day because you have elected to attend and compete at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park. The RiverBots III Signature Event is the only Signature Event in MI and the only one at a National Park. The River Raisin National Battlefield Park preserves the site of the Battle of Frenchtown as the only national battlefield marking a site of the War of 1812. 

Fun in the Sun

December 16-18
Orlando, FL
Program:
VIQRC MS

Florida’s second event of it’s kind! Not only for the competitors but for the whole family!

Looking for a top destination location to compete for a chance to land a spot at the 2025 VEX Worlds Competition? Look no further! The Fun In the Sun Signature Event will be held in Orlando FL, home of the world’s top attractions such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studio’s and more!

Fun in the Sun

December 16-18
Orlando, FL
Program:
VIQRC ES

Florida’s second event of it’s kind! Not only for the competitors but for the whole family!

Looking for a top destination location to compete for a chance to land a spot at the 2025 VEX Worlds Competition? Look no further! The Fun In the Sun Signature Event will be held in Orlando FL, home of the world’s top attractions such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studio’s and more!

Hyundai Motors Manufacturing Alabama presents the SCORE Showdown at Great Wolf Lodge hosted by The Southeastern Center of Robotics Education (SCORE) at Auburn University. Located 45 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Great Wolf Lodge offers countless exciting activities both in its indoor water park and its adventure park, ranging from water slides to ropes courses and arcade games.

Hyundai Motors Manufacturing Alabama presents the SCORE Showdown at Great Wolf Lodge hosted by The Southeastern Center of Robotics Education (SCORE) at Auburn University. Located 45 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Great Wolf Lodge offers countless exciting activities both in its indoor water park and its adventure park, ranging from water slides to ropes courses and arcade games.

PAS-VEX V5RC Signature Event

December 19-21
Hsinchu, MI, Chinese Taipei
Program:
V5RC HS

If you want to take the challenge to the next level of robotics and interact with teams from around the world, sign up soon. This event is open to middle school and high school teams and will provide a skills challenge. We will do our best to provide the best environment and services possible and welcome children from all over the world to come to Hsinchu to participate and make memories.    

Asia Open

December 29-January 1
Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Program:
VURC

The Asia Open Signature Event will be held grandly from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025, at the Wuxi International Conference Center. Teams from around the world will compete. This event is an official REC Foundation Signature Event with spots for advancement to the VEX Robotics World Championships. Participants will experience the standards, culture, and international atmosphere of the World Championship.

Asia Open

December 29-January 1
Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Program:
VIQRC ES

The Asia Open Signature Event will be held grandly from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025, at the Wuxi International Conference Center. Teams from around the world will compete. This event is an official REC Foundation Signature Event with spots for advancement to the VEX Robotics World Championships. Participants will experience the standards, culture, and international atmosphere of the World Championship.

Asia Open

December 29-January 1
Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Program:
VIQRC MS

The Asia Open Signature Event will be held grandly from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025, at the Wuxi International Conference Center. Teams from around the world will compete. This event is an official REC Foundation Signature Event with spots for advancement to the VEX Robotics World Championships. Participants will experience the standards, culture, and international atmosphere of the World Championship.

Asia Open

December 29-January 1
Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Program:
V5RC MS

The Asia Open Signature Event will be held grandly from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025, at the Wuxi International Conference Center. Teams from around the world will compete. This event is an official REC Foundation Signature Event with spots for advancement to the VEX Robotics World Championships. Participants will experience the standards, culture, and international atmosphere of the World Championship.

Asia Open

December 29-January 1
Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
Program:
V5RC HS

The Asia Open Signature Event will be held grandly from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025, at the Wuxi International Conference Center. Teams from around the world will compete. This event is an official REC Foundation Signature Event with spots for advancement to the VEX Robotics World Championships. Participants will experience the standards, culture, and international atmosphere of the World Championship.

Sugar Rush

January 3-5
Hershey, PA
Program:
V5RC HS

Get ready for the sweetest Signature Event of the season!  Hershey The Sweetest Place On Earth®! We will contact your team with additional details in mid-November.     

VEX Asia Pacific Robotics Championship

January 17-20
Haihua Island, Hainan, China
Program:
VURC

The 17th VEX Asia-Pacific Robotics Championship 2024 Signature Event is an event that aims to promote robotics education to young people. It nurtures young students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by providing an interactive competition platform with designable and programmable robots; also, it reinforces students' real-case solving skills and teamwork spirit by providing hands-on experience and an idea-sharing community. It is full of engagement, challenge, and passion.

VEX Asia Pacific Robotics Championship

January 17-20
Haihua Island, Hainan, China
Program:
VIQRC MS

The 17th VEX Asia-Pacific Robotics Championship 2024 Signature Event is an event that aims to promote robotics education to young people. It nurtures young students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by providing an interactive competition platform with designable and programmable robots; also, it reinforces students' real-case solving skills and teamwork spirit by providing hands-on experience and an idea-sharing community. It is full of engagement, challenge, and passion.

VEX Asia Pacific Robotics Championship

January 17-20
Haihua Island, Hainan, China
Program:
VIQRC ES

The 17th VEX Asia-Pacific Robotics Championship 2024 Signature Event is an event that aims to promote robotics education to young people. It nurtures young students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by providing an interactive competition platform with designable and programmable robots; also, it reinforces students' real-case solving skills and teamwork spirit by providing hands-on experience and an idea-sharing community. It is full of engagement, challenge, and passion.

VEX Asia Pacific Robotics Championship

January 17-20
Haihua Island, Hainan, China
Program:
V5RC MS

The 17th VEX Asia-Pacific Robotics Championship 2024 Signature Event is an event that aims to promote robotics education to young people. It nurtures young students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by providing an interactive competition platform with designable and programmable robots; also, it reinforces students' real-case solving skills and teamwork spirit by providing hands-on experience and an idea-sharing community. It is full of engagement, challenge, and passion.

VEX Asia Pacific Robotics Championship

January 17-20
Haihua Island, Hainan, China
Program:
V5RC HS

The 17th VEX Asia-Pacific Robotics Championship 2024 Signature Event is an event that aims to promote robotics education to young people. It nurtures young students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by providing an interactive competition platform with designable and programmable robots; also, it reinforces students' real-case solving skills and teamwork spirit by providing hands-on experience and an idea-sharing community. It is full of engagement, challenge, and passion.

Ignite the Northwest

January 18-20
LaGrange, GA
Program:
V5RC HS

Welcome to Ignite the Northwest 2025! We aim to bring teams from all over the US and the World to compete and to prepare students for their own Regional Championships and the World Championship. The event setup is very similar to the World Championships and will provide the teams with a great experience of high-level competition! Elimination rounds will include 16 alliances.

Please note that this event is a 3-Day event. Check the Agenda tab for more information.

The Kalahari Classic

January 21-22
Sandusky, OH
Program:
VIQRC MS

It's fun because you have access to one of the largest indoor water parks in the United States of America. It's challenging because we aim to bring the best of the best VEX Robotics teams together from Ohio and beyond so we can offer high-level competition and better prepare our students for the future. Our setup is similar to VEX Worlds, enabling us to provide a great student experience for all!  This Signature Event starts with a team procession where every team gets to walk the stage, has an experienced & knowledgable key volunteer staff, and continues to offer an upbeat, high energy, fun competition environment!

The Kalahari Classic

January 21-22
Sandusky, OH
Program:
VIQRC ES

It's fun because you have access to one of the largest indoor water parks in the United States of America. It's challenging because we aim to bring the best of the best VEX Robotics teams together from Ohio and beyond so we can offer high-level competition and better prepare our students for the future. Our setup is similar to VEX Worlds, enabling us to provide a great student experience for all!  This Signature Event starts with a team procession where every team gets to walk the stage, has an experienced & knowledgable key volunteer staff, and continues to offer an upbeat, high energy, fun competition environment!

The Kalahari Classic

January 22-23
Sandusky, OH
Program:
V5RC HS

It's fun because you have access to one of the largest indoor water parks in the United States of America. It's challenging because we aim to bring the best of the best VEX Robotics teams together from Ohio and beyond so we can offer high-level competition and better prepare our students for the future. Our setup is similar to VEX Worlds, enabling us to provide a great student experience for all!  This Signature Event starts with a team procession where every team gets to walk the stage, has an experienced & knowledgable key volunteer staff, and continues to offer an upbeat, high energy, fun competition environment!

The Kalahari Classic

January 24-25
Sandusky, OH
Program:
V5RC HS

It's fun because you have access to one of the largest indoor water parks in the United States of America. It's challenging because we aim to bring the best of the best VEX Robotics teams together from Ohio and beyond so we can offer high-level competition and better prepare our students for the future. Our setup is similar to VEX Worlds, enabling us to provide a great student experience for all!  This Signature Event starts with a team procession where every team gets to walk the stage, has an experienced & knowledgable key volunteer staff, and continues to offer an upbeat, high energy, fun competition environment!

Gateway to the West

January 29-30
Wheeling, WV
Program:
V5RC MS

Thank you for your interest in 2nd annual Gateway to the West Signature Event hosted by OCS Robotics in Wheeling, WV. Come explore the northern panhandle of West Virginia! The event will be hosted at the Highlands Sports Complex located at The Highlands. The Highlands is a retail park which features a number of hotels, restaurants, and shopping all within 2 miles of the event venue. The sports complex also features an arcade and multiple rock climbing walls.

Rumble in the Rockies

January 29-30
Salt Lake City, UT
Program:
V5RC MS

Welcome to the 2nd annual Rumble in the Rockies Signature Event. This event will qualify to the VEX Robotics World Championships. We would love your participation!

Northeast Wisconsin Showdown

January 30-31
Green Bay, WI
Program:
V5RC HS

We are excited to again host a V5RC Signature Event in Wisconsin at historic Lambeau Field in the Atrium.  This event will be one to remember!

Gateway to the West

January 31-February 1
Wheeling, WV
Program:
V5RC HS

Thank you for your interest in 2nd annual Gateway to the West Signature Event hosted by OCS Robotics in Wheeling, WV. Come explore the northern panhandle of West Virginia! The event will be hosted at the Highlands Sports Complex located at The Highlands. The Highlands is a retail park which features a number of hotels, restaurants, and shopping all within 2 miles of the event venue. The sports complex also features an arcade and multiple rock climbing walls.

Rumble in the Rockies

January 31-February 1
Salt Lake City, UT
Program:
V5RC HS

Welcome to the 2nd annual Rumble in the Rockies Signature Event. This event will qualify to the VEX Robotics World Championships. We would love your participation!

LAUNCH

February 1-2
Redmond, Washington
Program:
V5RC HS

Tinkham Veale University Center is located at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio will look to LAUNCH this signature event to new heights. Whether you are live in person or watching on livestream the event looks to visually wow you. This event will qualify to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas. Once we know a final number of registered teams, the agenda and daily schedule may be adjusted to reflect. Please check back here often as we update this website with more details about the event.

Bots at Bristol

February 6-7
Bristol, TN
Program:
V5RC MS

Bots at Bristol will be held at the Bristol Motor Speedway home of the Fastest Half Mile. Teams will compete at the last great colossuem for a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship. Will your team be one of the final gladiators standing?

Bots at Bristol

February 7-8
Bristol, TN
Program:
V5RC HS

Bots at Bristol will be held at the Bristol Motor Speedway home of the Fastest Half Mile. Teams will compete at the last great colossuem for a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championship. Will your team be one of the final gladiators standing?

Mecha Mayhem

February 7-9
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Program:
V5RC MS

The Mecha Mayhem Signature Event will be held at the home of the Calgary Stampede in the BMO Convention Center.

Join the official event Discord! https://discord.gg/fMJSW3Jv4n

Mecha Mayhem

February 7-9
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Program:
V5RC HS

The Mecha Mayhem V5RC Signature Event will be held at the home of the Calgary Stampede in the BMO Convention Center.

Join the official event Discord! https://discord.gg/fMJSW3Jv4n

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