Allgemeine Info

Early Load-In Tours

Once again, Kettering University is inviting the competing VEX teams to register to participate in the Early Load-in Tour of the Kettering campus on Friday, February 27th. See details below. Early Load-in Tour Registration

Details:

• Early Load-in Tour options: Friday, February 27th at 11:15 AM or 12:15 PM
• Load-in your team supplies to your team pit in the Connie & Jim John Recreation Center at Kettering University on Friday, February 27th between 10:30- 11:00 AM for the 11:15 AM tour or between 11:30-12:00 AM for the 12:15 PM tour
• Meet at the Kettering University information table located in the recreation center promptly at 10:50 AM for the 11:00 AM campus tour or 11:50 AM for the 12:00 PM campus tour
• Teams must register by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 23rd 
• PLEASE complete a separate Early Load-in Tour registration for each team, even if the teams are from the same organization.
• Tours are limited, so please register for the VEX State Championship - Early Load-in Tour soon (Early Load-in Tour Registration)
• Students who tour will receive a free t-shirt.

Lodging

See the Travel Info for recommended hotels - Full VEX V5 practice fields will be available in the conference room at the Hampton Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc and the Hyatt Place flint/Grand Blanc locations only on Thursday the 26th and Friday the 27th. Use of the practice fields is limited to teams/students staying at the hotel. No outside guests allowed.
 

Prior to State Tournament

Teams must pay before competing. Teams that have not paid will not be allowed to compete! Please pay RECF or make other arrangements with Kettering.

Arrival

• Please do not try to enter before 1:00 PM on Friday 1/27 or 7:15 AM on Saturday 1/28
• Check-in when you come in the door
• Everyone needs to bring a signed Participant Consent Form or have filled out the Consent Form online. (Adults included) 
• Please go to the Documents tab to download  

Late Arrival

• The final team list will be established on Friday at 3:30 PM! If for some reason your team is delayed in arriving, please contact Chris Cunnington on the day of the tournament. [email protected]
• Teams that arrive after 3:30 pm on Friday and have not communicated their expected arrival time will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.

Firmware Update:

• Make sure you have installed the latest firmware updates.  

Inspection

• Please be sure to complete the pre-inspection sheet before arriving at the event.
• Inspection will be on Friday, please see the agenda.

Event Structure

• There will be only two division.
• There will be 6 competition fields with bleachers. 

Team Pit Area

• Each team will receive a 6' table.
• One electrical outlet will be provided per team table in the pits.
• Teams are responsible for supplying power strips, extension cords, battery chargers, and computers.
• Make sure your charger and batteries are labeled with your team number.
• Safety Glasses are highly recommended in the pit area and required while at the field. Please remember to bring Safety Glasses for each member, coach, family, and friends.
• We will have 2 practice fields set up in each of the two pit areas.

Lunch

• Pre-Order Food Vouchers will be available for purchase
• Orders must be placed ONLINE by noon on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, so we have enough time to pick them up from the Dining Services office before the event.
• Pre-order vouchers for all-you-can-eat lunch (one time through) at the Kettering Battenburg Cafe in the Learning Commons are available for purchase on Kettering's Site. 
• The cafe offers a wide variety of food (including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more) and beverages for $12.00 per person
• Vouchers have no expiration date - if you plan to attend future events at Kettering, you will be able to use leftover vouchers at that time. No refunds are provided.
• Outside food is permitted in both the Rec Center and Learning Commons, but there will NOT be a dedicated place or plugs for your Team to set up your own food service. Sternos or other warming devices are NOT permitted.

Digital Engineering Notebooks

• Notebooks must be submitted digitally by 5:00 pm Friday February 20, 2026
• Physical Engineering Notebooks will NOT be accepted at the event
• See the "Judging Format" for more information

Skills

• 5 Skills fields will be open as noted on the Agenda.
• Rules for Robot Skills Challenges may be found in Appendix B of the latest update of the Game Manual
• Skills Challenge Matches will close six matches before the end of the Qualification Rounds
• Skills Challenge Queuing will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. If there are teams in line, you must go to the end of the line for additional run(s).

General Information

• If you need any help, please just ask anyone in a Volunteer shirt. 
• Please be kind to all Volunteers including the Referees and Judges. Without them, there would be no tournament.

Grade Level: High School

Fähigkeiten-Herausforderung angeboten: Ja

Bewertungsformat: Remote Engineering Notizbücher

Fähigkeiten-Herausforderung angeboten für VURC/VAIRC Teams: Nein