General Info
General Info
This event is sure to be a fast-paced and exciting event. All teams should come prepared for competition. Here are a few steps that every team should take to ensure that they are prepared.
For all rules--How to run a team, do your engineering notebook and steps to build your robot look at the VEX Robotics website.
1. Review the rules and run through the inspection checklist about a week before the competition so there is ample time for adjustments. The inspection checklist can be found here.
2. Check the official VEX forums for rule updates and changes.
3. Carefully read all of the information contained in the tournament posting on events.vex.com
4. Pack for the event the day before the day of departure. Here are a few items that you don't want to forget.
* Goggles/Safety Glasses
* Spare parts & tools
* Batteries and chargers
* Programming cable
* Power strip
* Laptop computer
* Engineering notebook (if you have one, helpful for Judges, Design and Excellence Awards )
* Banners and other decorations for your team pit
* Giveaways if you have them
5. Be sure to read 101 Things You Should Know Before Your First VEX Tournament.
6. Review the descriptions and criteria for the awards that are being given during the tournament.
7. Prep for your interviews with the judges. Check the awards tab to see what awards will be given during the tournament.
8. Remember that safety comes first, please don't bring tools that pose a safety risk to your team, or others nearby as the venue is a very tight fit. Also, remember no grinding or other actions that create sparks.
9. Understand how the game will be played. VEX participants are more than welcome to watch the referee training videos before they attend a tournament. The referee training videos can be found here.
10. Read through the Robot troubleshooting guide. The guide can be found here.
11. Ensure that you have the latest version of firmware.
All participants are expected to complete the participant release form . Once per season covers all events.
- Venue
- Lowndes High School
- Address
- 1601 Norman Drive, Valdosta, Georgia 31601, United States
- Dates
- January 9, 2027
- Grade Level
- All
- Skills Challenge
- Yes
- Judging Format
- All In-Person Judging
Registration & Logistics
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control
- Smart Field Control
- Capacity
- 25
- Spots Open
- 14
- Event Region
- Georgia
- Max Registrations per Org
- 4
- Standard Registration Opens
- 16-Oct-2026 07:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 18-Dec-2026 17:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- January 6, 2027
- Price
- $60.00
Agenda
Tentative Schedule
7:00 AM - Doors Open, Practice Fields Opens
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM (Check In/Practice/Inspection)
9:00 AM - Check In /Inspection Closed
9:00 AM - Opening Ceremony
9:15 AM - Drivers Meeting
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Qualification Rounds (skills line will close at the end of the last qualification match)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Lunch- concessions will be offered, there are also a number of suitable restaurants within .25miles of the school, some with delivery options
1:00 PM - 2:45 PM - Complete Qualification Rounds
3:00 PM - Alliance Selections
3:15 PM - Finals Start
4:30 PM - Closing Ceremony
Stream
Webcast TBA
Judging Format
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. A submission deadline that may be scheduled ahead of the event date.
Volunteer
Volunteer All volunteers are TSA/ROTC members, advisors, parents, teachers, and company sponsors.
Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy If cancellation occurs and a make-up date is not scheduled, refunds will be sent to schools (minus REC fees).