2026 Northern CA VEX IQ Regional Championship MS
Hosted By Placer Robotics @ the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity
- Date
- 28-Feb-2026 - 1-Mar-2026 Add to Calendar
- Event Code
- RE-VIQRC-25-2245
- Program
- VEX IQ Robotics Competition
- Event Type
- Invitational Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control System
- N/A
- Capacity
- 52
- Spots Open
- 3
- Event Region
- California - North
- Standard Registration Opens
- 22-Sep-2025 18:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 26-Feb-2026 18:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 30-Jan-2026 18:00 EST
- Price
- $300.00
- It is past the registration deadline.
General Info
Congratulations on advancing to the Northern California VIQRC Middle School Regional Championship!
The Venue
We’re excited to host the IQ Championships at MOSAC – the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity in Sacramento! This inspiring setting brings science and innovation to life, creating the perfect backdrop for high-level robotics competition. Between matches, teams can recharge and explore interactive exhibits or take in a planetarium show, keeping the energy and creativity flowing all day. Families and visitors can also enjoy hands-on exhibits, STEM activities, and planetarium shows while experiencing the excitement of live robotics up close.
Our goal is to provide a high-quality and fun event for teams, coaches and spectators. Our venue will be open on Saturday evening for optional check-in, inspection and initial skills runs, followed by a full day of competition on Sunday!
Travel and Food Options
We plan to have on-site concessions and/or food trucks. There are also local options near by
Public Parking (small daily fee) is available at the venue.
Discounted Hotel Rates!
Placer Robotics has secured a discounted rate at Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Airport Natomas - 2101 River Plaza Dr, Sacramento, CA 95833. The hotel is 1.8 miles from the event venue (SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity).
Rates: 113.00 USD - 120.00 USD per night. Last Day to Book : Monday, February 16, 2026
Bookings have to be made directly: Room Reservation Link
Engineering Notebooks/Interviews
Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions/In Person Team Interviews: Team interviews will be conducted in-person at the event. Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact on RobotEvents. Please have you electronic notebook link published by Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11pm.
If you qualify for this event, please be sure to register within two weeks of receiveing your invitation. This event is a World Championship Qualifying event and will receive spots according to the REC Foundation's Qualifying Criteria.
About Placer Robotics
Placer Robotics is an all volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through hands-on STEM education and competitive robotics in Placer County/Greater Sacramentio. Since 2018, we’ve supported thousands of students across Northern California through programs spanning VIQRC, V5 Robotics Competition, and Combat Robotics. Our mission is to provide accessible opportunities for every student to learn, lead, and innovate — building the next generation of engineers, creators, and community leaders.
Grade Level: Middle School
Skills Challenge Offered: Yes
Judging Format: Remote Engineering Notebooks
Event Dates & Locations
Date: 28-Feb-2026 - 1-Mar-2026
Venue/Location:400 Jibboom Street
Sacramento, California 95811
United States
Contact the Event Partner
You must login to contact this Event PartnerAgenda
Please return here for updates up to the day of the event. The schedule may change based on the total number of teams registered on the day of the event.
Saturday (optional)
6-8:30pm: Optional Check-in, Inspection and Skills *
*Any robot that is removed from the building Saturday must be reinspected on Sunday
Sunday Schedule
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| 7:00am | Doors Open for Volunteers |
| 7:30am | Registration & Inspections Begin, Pits open, Practice Fields Open |
| 9:00am | Inspection Closes, Opening/Event Meeting |
| 9:30am | Qualification matches begin, Skills fields open |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Qualification matches resume |
| 4:15pm | Qualification matches finish and skills events close |
| 4:30pm | Finals matches begin |
| 5:15pm | Awards Ceremony |
| 5:30pm | Competition Event Concludes, Event Clean Up |
- Teams not checked-in by 8:30am will be removed from the schedule
- Teams that have not passed inspection by 9.00am will be removed from the schedule
Volunteer
We are always in search of volunteers, who are the gears that keep robotics events turning and are the driving force behind giving students in robotics the most positive experience. Please contact the Event Partner if you would like to volunteer.
Volunteers will be needed for event setup (on Friday evening), robot inspection, field scoring, field reset, queuing and other positions.
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy
In the case of bad weather conditions or possible cancellations, please visit the event on Robotevents.com where updates about the event status will be posted as needed. Please make sure your team's contact information is up to date in your RobotEvents.com account in the event we need to contact your team.
Refund and Payment Policies
General Policy:
Event payments are expected when you register for this event and must be completed (showing PAID in the system) a minimum of 4 week prior to the event date. Unpaid teams will be removed from the event, allowing space for teams on the wait list
If the Event Partner cancels the event:
- A partial refund will be issued to teams that cannot attend the alternate date.
If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:
-
A team that cancels or no shows will not be eligible for a refund.
Health and Safety Policies
We highly encourage everyone to avoid coming into the facility if you are not feeling well and follow all commonly expected safety and health precautions.
Date: 28-Feb-2026 - 1-Mar-2026
SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity400 Jibboom Street
Sacramento, California 95811
United States
Travel Info
Discounted Hotel Rates!
Placer Robotics has secured a discounted rate at Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Airport Natomas - 2101 River Plaza Dr, Sacramento, CA 95833. The hotel is 1.8 miles from the event venue (SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity).
Rates: 113.00 USD - 120.00 USD per night. Last Day to Book : Monday, February 16, 2026
Bookings have to be made directly: Room Reservation Link
Webcast
Webcast information will be posted shortly before the event
Judging Format
Our current plan is to provide Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions / In Person Team Interviews: interviews will be conducted in-person at the event. Engineering notebooks will be submitted digitally for evaluation via a link found within the "My Account" panel of the team contact on RobotEvents.
There is a small possiblility that first round interviews may occur online based on the total available judges. Final decision will be posted no later than February 1, 2026.
Engineering Notebooks: To be considered for judged awards, engineering notebooks must be submitted electronically by Friday, February 20nd, 2026, at 11pm.