Gateway to the West VEX V5 Robotics Competition Signature Event
Middle School
- Date
- 27-Jan-2027 - 28-Jan-2027 Add to Calendar
- Event Code
- VE-V5-26-66294
- Program
- VEX V5 Robotics Competition™
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control System
- VEXNet Field Control
- Capacity
- 80
- Spots Open
- 80
- Event Region
- West Virginia
- Max Registrations per Organization
- 6
- Priority Registration Opens
- 14-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Standard Registration Opens
- 28-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 15-Dec-2026 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 16-Dec-2026 12:00 EST
- Price
- $300.00
A maximum of 50% of team registrations can be from any one event region
| Region | Maximum % | # Spots Allowed | # Spots Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 50% | 40 | 40 |
- Registration opens at a future date.
General Info
Thank you for your interest in fourth annual Gateway to the West Signature Event hosted by OCS Robotics in Wheeling, WV. Come explore the northern panhandle of West Virginia! The event will be hosted at the Highlands Sports Complex located at The Highlands. The Highlands is a retail park which features a number of hotels, restaurants, and shopping all within 2 miles of the event venue. The sports complex also features an arcade and multiple rock climbing walls.
Information will be updated periodically. As the event date nears, information will be provided via email and this page.
Grade Level: Middle School
Skills Challenge Offered: Yes
Judging Format: All In-Person Judging
Skills Challenge Offered for VURC/VAIRC teams: No
Event Dates & Locations
Date: 27-Jan-2027 - 28-Jan-2027
Venue/Location:225 McCormick Way
Triadelphia, West Virginia 26059
United States
Contact the Event Partner
You must login to contact this Event PartnerAgenda
Subject to Change
| Tuesday 1/26 | OPTIONAL FOR TEAMS ARRVING ON TUESDAY |
| 6:00 PM | Inspection Open, Pit/Practice Fields are open, Skills available after inspection |
| 8:00 PM | Venue Closes |
| Wednesday 1/27 | |
| 8:00 AM | Venue, Pits Open, Inspection Opens |
| 9:30 AM | Opening Ceremonies (Key Volunteer Recognition, Wheeling History, and Driver's Meeting) |
| 10:00 AM | Skills Open/Qualification Matches Begin/Judging Begins |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch Break (Skills Closed) |
| 1:00 PM | Qualifications Resume/Skills Reopens |
| 6:00 PM |
Qualification Matches End/Skills Close/Juding Ends NOTE: First round of judging must be completed by the end of the first day!!! |
| 6:00 - 8:00PM |
Gateway Climbing Club (please enjoy the arcade and climbing wall!) More information will be sent in e-mails leading up to the event |
| Thursday 1/28 |
|
| 8 AM | Venue Opens |
| 9 AM | Qualification Matches Resume, Skills Open |
| Noon | Lunch Break |
| 1 PM | Qualification Matches Resume |
| 2 PM | Qualification Matches End/Alliance Selection |
| 2:30 PM | Elimination Bracket Begins |
| 4:00 PM | Awards |
Volunteer
Event success depends on many volunteers. If you have any questions please contact Luke Shepherd at [email protected]
A link to signup to volunteer will be posted here soon!
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy
In the event of bad weather, updates will be made via email.
Refund and Payment Policies
If the Event Partner cancels the event: Due to the costs involved with this event, a refund of 50% will only be offered after all the event expenses have been taken care of.
If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend: No refunds will be issued.
Date: 27-Jan-2027 - 28-Jan-2027
Highlands Sports Complex225 McCormick Way
Triadelphia, West Virginia 26059
United States
Travel Info
The Highlands Sports Complex and nearby hotels are located on I-70 corridor roughly 45 minutes from the Pittsburgh International Airport in the northern panhandle of WV.
Please note: Ride Shares are normally available from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, but getting a Ride Share from Wheeling to Pittsburgh is not as likely. It is recommended that particpants that are flying in should look at car rentals as an option.
Directions from Pittsburgh Airport:
- Leaving airport take I-376E
- Merge onto I-79 S
- Merge onto I-70 W at Washington, PA for about 22 miles
Parking: There is a large parking lot at the venue. The lot can accommodate buses and trailers.
Local Travel and Hotel Information! Additional hotel blocks may be added periodically.
Information about the local area:
EVENT INFORMATION
Webcast
The event will be live streamed on Youtube!
Judging Format
Engineering Notebooks: Notebooks will be submitted and reviewed digitally. Notebooks are due by January 13, 2027.
Interviews: Judges will be staged in the competition area in pairs. Teams will go to their initial interview at their leisure. Initial interviews must be completed on the first day of the competition. Secondary interviews will occur late during the first day and in the morning of the second day at the team's pit area.
Payment
The payment deadline for this event is 16 December 2026. If payment is not received and no contact has been made with the event partner, then the registered team(s) will be moved to the waitlist. Another team will be pulled from the waitlist as a replacement.