VEX Robotics® | The Great British Tea Party Signature (ES/MS)

Organised by Teatime Robotics

Date
16-Jan-2027 - 17-Jan-2027 Add to Calendar
Event Code
RE-VIQRC-26-4513
Program
VEX IQ Robotics Competition
Event Type
Open Tournament
Event Format
In-Person
Field Control System
N/A
Capacity
120
Spots Open
116
Event Region
United Kingdom
Max Registrations per Organization
6
Priority Registration Opens
13-Jul-2026 04:00 EDT
Standard Registration Opens
27-Jul-2026 04:00 EDT
Registration Deadline
3-Dec-2026 04:00 EST
Payment Deadline
2 Weeks after Registration
Price
£200.00

A maximum of 50% of team registrations can be from any one event region

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General Info

Welcome to The Great British Tea Party 2027!

What is The Great British Tea Party?

Following the success of last seasons event, we have been approved as a Signature Event for the 2026-2027 Season VEX IQ: Level Up. This event aims to promote the collabaration and further engagement between teams internationally, particularly across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We hope to see a diverse range of teams and countries participating and give an opportunity to students to compete with each other at an international level. 

Competition Preparation

For a lot of teams, this wil be the biggest they have attended. It is sure to be fast-paced and very exciting but to ensure a better experience for all teams, please follow these steps to ensure you come prepared for the competition.

1. Review the rules, the code of conduct, and run through the inspection checklist.

2. Check the VEX Forum and the Q&A for official rule updates and changes.

3. Carefully read all of the information contained in this tournament posting.

4. Review the descriptions and criteria for the awards that are being given during the tournament. 

5. Prepare for your interviews with the judges.

6. Ensure that you have the latest version of firmware.

7. Bring your own power expander.

8. Email [email protected] with any questions ahead of the event.

Qualification for the 2027 VEX Robotics World Championship

Details ln the qualification criteria for the 2027 VEX Robotics World Championship™ are in development and any changes will be shared here when received by The Global Robotics and Science Foundation. At a minimum, the following spots will qualify:

(1) Excellence Award

(2) Teamwork Champions


Grade Level: All

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: Remote Engineering Notebooks

Event Dates & Locations

Date: 16-Jan-2027 - 17-Jan-2027

Venue/Location:
K2 Crawley
Pease Pottage Hill
Crawley, RH11 9BQ
United Kingdom

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Agenda

The agenda is subject to change. Check back to make sure you are updated!

All teams will have 8 qualification matches across the two days.

Saturday 16th January:

Venue Opens to teams: 9am

Check-in: 09:00-11:00

Inspection: 09:00-11:00

Opening Ceremony & Driver Meeting: 11:00-11:30

Matches: 11:30-15:00 

Afternoon Teatime Break: 15:00-15:30

Matches: 15:30-17:30

Venue closes: 6pm

 

Sunday 17th January:

Venue Opens to teams: 8:30am

Matches: 09:00-12:30

Lunchtime Break: 12:30-13:15

Divisional Finals Matches: 13:15-14:45

Top 20 teams in each division (10 matches - 1 each)

Grand Finals, Closing Ceremony & Awards: 14:45-15:30

Venue closes: 4pm

 

Skills & Practice fields opening times:

Skills will be available to all teams (Max 3 Driver & Max 3 Auton)

Saturday 16th January: 11:30-17:30

Sunday 17th January: 09:00-12:30

Volunteer

This event is run by Teatime Robotics, we host and volunteer at events across the UK and Internationally. Our referees and judges have volunteered at the VEX World Championships and will ensure a fantastic event for the teams. Given the size of the event, we have already prepared for a large number of volunteers required however, if you are interested you can still email [email protected] to express your interest! 

Note: No applications from under 16s will be approved.

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

The event location is not frequent to any emergency weather conditions, so this will be extremely unlikely. If the event needs to be cancelled, relocated or postponed due to adverse weather conditions all teams will be contacted using the email addresses provided on VEX Events. 

No refund will be offered for any travel costs the teams incur should the event be cancelled, postponed or relocated (for whatever reason). Please consider this carefully before booking travel and accommodation arrangements as well as travel insurance.

Refund and Payment Policies

Registration fees are due 2 weeks after the teams register. This is extended for school teams to the 21st September when they register before August 31st, to allow for spots to be reserved throught the summer holidays. 

Payments if paid through VEX events:

Teams must pay the £200 registration fee along with 20% VAT when using VEX Events.

Payments if paid through bank transfer to Teatime Robotics:

The invoices are available by clicking "Pay Later" then revisitng for the invoice. The invoice is automatically generated by VEX Events and includes VAT. You do not need to pay VAT if you pay Teatime Robotics directly as we are not required to be registered for VAT.

Refunds if the Event Partner cancels the event: 

This is not likely to happen however should the event be cancelled, postponed or relocated (for whatever reason), the registration fee will be partially refunded after paying any venue or event costs. Please consider this carefully before booking travel and accommodation arrangements. No refund will be offered for any travel costs incurred.

Refunds if a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

Due to event preperation costs, once a team has paid the registration fee, no refunds will be given.

Health and Safety Policies

The safeguarding and Heath & Safety Policy will be published in September.

Date: 16-Jan-2027 - 17-Jan-2027
K2 Crawley
Pease Pottage Hill
Crawley, RH11 9BQ
United Kingdom

Travel Info

There is adequate parking for cars and minibuses. Please let us know should you plan to use a coach drop off. 

We highly recommend all international teams to fly into Gatwick Airport. There will be an abundance of hirecars and taxis available.

 

Nearest train station:

Crawley: 31 minute walk from venue

This station is a 43 minute train ride to Victoria Station (Central London) or a 32 minute train ride to London Bridge (Central London).

 

Travel from International:

Please contact us if you would like help regarding travel from the Airport to your Hotel. Below shows Airport to Event travel, we would recommend booking trains online before arriving.

Gatwick Aiport: 

Southern train to Crawley Station (9 Minutes) followed by a 31 minute walk

Drive (15-20 Minutes)

Heathrow Aiport: 

Piccadily Line to Barons Court Station (32 Minutes), District Line to Victoria Station (12 Minutes), Southern train to Crawley Station (43 Minutes) followed by a 31 minute walk

Drive (55-80 Minutes)

Stansted Aiport: 

Stansted Express Line to Tottenham Hale Station (32 Minutes), Victoria Line to Victoria Station (19 Minutes), Southern train to Crawley Station (43 Minutes) followed by a 31 minute walk

Drive (90 Minutes)

Eurostar (St Pancras International): 

Thameslink train London Bridge Station (15 Minutes), Southern train to Crawley Station (32 Minutes) followed by a 31 minute walk

 

Visa Applications

Any queries or requests for invitation letters should be made via email to [email protected]. Visa applications often take several weeks and require the embassy to contact us, so please ensure these are completed as early as possible.

Webcast

The event webcasts will be available closer to the event at https://www.teatimerobotics.org/

Judging Format

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. 

 

The deadline for Engineering Notebook Submissions is the 1st January 2027. Please where possible, submit the documents in english. A survey will be sent out regarding translated interviews at the registration deadline.

Hotel Info

There is a large range of hotels nearby the venue and Gatwick Airport. We have partnered with Crowne Plaza Hotel to provide a discounted rate for teams attending. Please enquire directly to ensure the best suited rooms as well as help coordinate the booking to provide rooms on the same floor. 

Rates and contact information will be added here once registration is open.

Local Attractions

London is the capital of the United Kingdom and has several attractions for teams, students, and parents to enjoy while here. It is worth booking a few of these for when you visit, most are also free! Teatimes favourite to recommend is the Science Museum. Be sure to check back as more get added!

The London Eye

Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament

Tate Modern

Science Museum

The British Museum

The Tower of London

Buckingham Palace

The London Dungeons

Madame Tussauds

Waitlist

0 teams are on the waitlist for this event.

Please login to add or remove teams from the waiting list.

All Awards beside Excellence, Teamwork Champions and Skills will be divisional.