General Info

2026 Michigan VEX V5 State Championship - February 26-27, 2027

Lodging

See the Travel Info for recommended hotels
 

Prior to State Tournament

Teams must pay before competing. Teams that have not paid will not be allowed to compete!

Arrival

• Please do not try to enter before 1:00 PM on Friday 2/26 or 7:15 AM on Saturday 2/27
• 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 23, 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 12, 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

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Judging Format: Digital Engineering Notebook Submissions / In-Person Team Interviews

Skills Challenge Offered for VURC/VAIRC teams: Yes