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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2854: Field variance - goal sway tolerance at Worlds
<T5> <T5> describes the allowable variances in the field. For the goals, the only mention is a 1 inch variance in height. The goals this year are only attached to a metal plate that is not anchored to anything else, only held in place by the foam tiles. They have a large amount of sway during game play, more than 1 inch. Teams are learning to compensate for this dynamic variance throughout game play.
Typically during the World competition, Vex chooses to anchor the field elements directly to the wood on the field platform. This will eliminate nearly all of the sway, causing a big change in game play for all teams. Will this be considered when planning the setup for Worlds? Or do teams qualified to Worlds need to consider this and find a way to mimic it for their practices leading up to the World event?
The scheduled game manual update on April 2, 2026, will include specific details for Matches at the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship.
<T6> allows Event Partners to anchor Field Elements directly to Field risers instead of the metal plates, or anchor the metal plates to the underlying surface with hardware or tape. Teams should be prepared for either of these options to be used at any event.