The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation is pleased to announce that the VEX Robotics World Championship will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2026 and 2027. The event will be held in April at the America’s Center Convention Complex in downtown St. Louis, with specific dates to be announced at a later time.

The move to St. Louis offers an affordable and accessible experience for teams, students, and families from around the world. With its central location, vibrant downtown area, and family-friendly attractions, St. Louis is a welcoming host city for the global robotics community.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Thanks to the large capacity of the venue’s dome and arena, no tickets will be required for general admission to the 2026 opening and closing ceremonies, making it easier for guests and spectators to participate.

About the Location

Downtown St. Louis is a walkable area with numerous nearby restaurants and attractions. Families and teams can enjoy a variety of cultural and recreational activities, including:

• Gateway Arch National Park, located along the St. Louis Riverfront
• The Federal Reserve Bank’s Economy Museum, with free interactive exhibits
• Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo, museums, and fountains—all offering low-cost or free admission
• City Museum, an artist-created playground built from reclaimed materials

Sports fans can also catch a game from one of St. Louis’ three professional teams: the Cardinals (MLB), Blues (NHL), and St. Louis CITY SC (MLS).

Lodging and Accommodations

All attendees are required to book accommodations through Orchid Events, the official housing provider for the championship. This ensures access to high-quality rooms at group rates. A wide variety of hotels will be available, many within walking distance of the venue. Most hotel parking accommodates regular-sized vehicles only.

Travel and Transportation

• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is approximately 15–20 minutes from downtown by car.
• Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available at the airport.
• MetroLink Red Line provides affordable transportation from the airport to the Convention Center stop downtown in about 30–40 minutes.
• Amtrak offers domestic train service to St. Louis from cities across the U.S.

For smooth coordination, teams are encouraged to designate a coach, mentor, or parent to oversee travel arrangements.

Pit and Venue Policies

Each team will be assigned an 8′ x 8′ pit space. The following items are not permitted in pits or inside the venue:

• Fields
• Smoke, fog, or bubble machines
• Floating balloons
• Coffee pots, tea pots, or powered cutting tools such as Dremels
• Pipe and drape removal

Additional venue guidelines include:

• No wheeled vehicles (bikes, skateboards) or wheeled shoes
• No outside food or beverages
• The America’s Center Convention Complex is a cashless facility, accepting only credit or debit payments

More details, including schedules and team registration updates will be shared in the coming months.

We look forward to welcoming the global robotics community to St. Louis in 2026.

More Information:

• Hotel Grid and Map
• Information for Hotel Reservations
• Hotel Check and Credit Card Authorization Policies