WAVE at WPI Signature Event
VEX V5 Robotics Competition™ - Override™
Our Sponsors
- Date
- 3-Dec-2026 - 5-Dec-2026 Add to Calendar
- Event Code
- RE-V5RC-26-5280
- Program
- VEX V5 Robotics Competition
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control System
- Smart Field Control
- Capacity
- 80
- Spots Open
- 80
- Event Region
- Massachusetts
- Max Registrations per Organization
- 5
- Priority Registration Opens
- 14-Aug-2026 18:00 EDT
- Standard Registration Opens
- 28-Aug-2026 18:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 19-Nov-2026 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 5-Oct-2026 17:00 EDT
- Price
- $475.00
A maximum of 50% of team registrations can be from any one event region
| Region | Maximum % | # Spots Allowed | # Spots Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 50% | 40 | 40 |
- Registration opens at a future date.
General Info
The countdown is on for the 8th Annual WAVE at WPI, and we're excited to welcome everyone back for an unforgettable event! WAVE is a 2.5 day event from December 3rd through 5th, hosted in Harrington Auditorium at WPI in Worcester, MA.
WPI is a nationaly recognized science and engineering university that focuses on project-based learning. WPI was the first university in the United States with a Robotics Engineering bachelors of science degree, and WPI has been hosting robotics events on campus for over 20 years. Teams attending WAVE will have an opportunity to tour WPI and see some of our robotics labs. All VEX participants (HS Seniors) are eligible to apply for the WPI VEX Scholarship. For more information: https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships-grants/wpi-merit/robotics-scholarships
Day one of the event is check-in, inspection, practice, and skills. We suggest teams looking to attempt all their skills runs plan on runnning most of them on the first day. The other two days will be qualifications, followed by alliance selection and elimination matches on Saturday. Teams are expected to attend the competition on all days, but at a bare minimum must attend Friday and Saturday to compete.
Payment deadline for the event is October 5th. If your school or orginization requires a lengthy period to process payment or cut a check, please start this process as soon as your teams have registered. Reach out to [email protected] if payment is going to be delayed.
Please note that WAVE at WPI 2025 filled within approximately 15 minutes of the event opening. If your teams would like to attend, please be sure to sign up at right when the event registration period opens!
Grade Level: High School
Skills Challenge Offered: Yes
Judging Format: Remote Engineering Notebooks
Skills Challenge Offered for VURC/VAIRC teams: Yes
Event Dates & Locations
Date: 3-Dec-2026 - 5-Dec-2026
Venue/Location:100 Institute Road
Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
United States
Contact the Event Partner
You must login to contact this Event PartnerAgenda
2026 Agenda
WPI Sports and Recreation Center/Harrington Auditorium
August 6, 2026
THURSDAY DECEMBER 3
Campus tours will be available for participants before venue opens. Contact WPI Admissions.
- 1400 Venue Opens
- 1430-2000 Team Registration
- 1500-2000 Inspection
- 1500-2000 Practice Area Open
- 1500-2000 Skills Challenge Open
- 2030 Venue Closes
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4
- 0730 Venue Opens
- 0800-1830 Practice Area Open
- 0800-18:30 Skills Field Open
- 0830-0900 Driver/Coach Meeting
- 0920-0950 Opening Ceremony
- 1000-1200 Qualifying Rounds
- 1200-1330 Lunch
- 13:15-15:00 Admissions Info Session (Sign up here)
- 1330-1800 Qualifying Rounds
- 1900 Venue Closes
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5
- 0730 Venue Opens
- 0800-1430 Practice Area Open
- 0800-Skills Field Open
- 0800-1100 Qualifying Rounds
- 1130 Alliance Selection
- 1130-1300 Lunch (Skills open on competition fields)
- 1300 Skills Field Closes (or at the end of the final qualification match, whichever is later)
- 1315 Elimation Matches Begin
- 1500 Closing Ceremonies and Awards
- 1800 Venue Closes
Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering, please feel free to email [email protected] for more information.
We will be looking for volunteers to fill all roles, but the greatest need is for volunteers that want to be near the field and judges.
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, a decision will be made on how the competition will proceed and any changes will be communicated to teams via the main contact email address and/or via live announcment in the venue. This may include a delayed start or early end to matches on a competitoin day, extending or modifying hours on some days, or removal of matches from the competition schedule in order to complete the event. Every effort will be reasonably made to continue the event as planned.
Refund and Payment Policies
Payment Deadline
Payment is due by October 5th. If payment is not received by close of business on the 5th, your team will be automatically moved to the bottom of the waitlist, and a waitlist team will be moved into the event. This deadline will be strictly followed, please reach out to [email protected] if you are experiencing delays in payment.
Refund Policy
- There are no refunds available.
Date: 3-Dec-2026 - 5-Dec-2026
Worcester Polytechnic Institute100 Institute Road
Worcester, Massachusetts 01609
United States
Travel Info
Parking
Parking is available in any WPI lot. Preferred parking is in the WPI Park Ave Garage.
More information can be found here
Hotel
There are many hotels in Worcester and within a short drive of Worcester. Please contact the hotels directly for more information and availability, and to book and pay for your rooms.
Webcast
The event will be webcast on Friday and Saturday. Link will be updated closer to the event.
Judging Format
Judging will be hybrid. Teams are asked to have their engineering notebook link updated by 11/14 at 11:59 EST. At that time, judges will begin accessing the notebooks for advanced review. All other judging will be done in person at the event.
Email Blasts
All Email blasts to teams will also be included here.