General Info
General Info
Spearfish Qualifier - Override
Registration Information
All participating teams must be registered with VEX V5 Robotics Competition on events.vex.com and have an official team number before registering for this event. Tournament fees must be paid before teams are allowed to compete. Registration and payments should be made through the events.vex.com.
Engineering notebooks
You must submit a Digital Engineering Notebook for this event.
Lunch and Concessions
This section will be updated to reflect the plan for this year withing 30 days of the event.
Concessions will be open from 8:30 to when the event ends.
Cash is preferred, Credit Card will have an additional fee of $0.30 + 2.9%.
Breakfast
- Coffee, Caramel Rolls (or donuts) and fruit
Lunch and Snack
- Hot Dogs
- Sloppy Joes
- Nachos
- Soft Pretzels
- Uncrustables (PB&J)
Pop, Bottled Water, Candy, Chips
Each team will get a meal voucher for their coach.
Competition Preparation
All teams should come prepared for competition. Here are a few steps that every team should take to ensure that they are prepared.
Review all game information: Current Game Webpage
Review the rules and run through the inspection checklist about a week before the competition so that there is ample time for adjustments. Robots must use VEX V5 parts. Please self inspect before arriving at the tournament using the VEX V5 Inspection Checklist – Global Robotics & Science Foundation
Check the official VEX forums for rule updates and changes.
Carefully read all of the information contained in the tournament posting on events.vex.com
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
Power strip and extension cord
Laptop computer
Programming cable
Engineering notebook (Required for judged awards)
Banners and other decorations for your team pit table
Giveaways if you have them
Review the Awards Offered at Competition Events - Global Robotics & Science Foundation that are being given during the tournament.
Prep for your interviews with the judges and read the Judges – Global Robotics & Science Foundation.. Check the awards tab to see what awards will be given during the tournament.
Remember that safety comes first, please don't bring tools that pose a safety risk to your team, or others nearby, as teams are close to each other in the venue pit area. Also, remember no grinding or other actions that create sparks, ask the tournament director for a safe location if grinding is needed.
Ensure that you have the latest version of programming software and firmware for your V5 Brain.
Participation and Consent Form
A completed form for all participants must be uploaded to events.vex.com prior to the tournament. Team leaders will need to check that all team members attending the event have completed the online consent form prior to the tournament. Online Consent Form.
- Venue
- Spearfish Middle School
- Address
- 1600 Canyon Street, Spearfish, South Dakota 57783, 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
- 30
- Spots Open
- 25
- Event Region
- South Dakota
- Max Registrations per Org
- 6
- Standard Registration Opens
- 4-Sep-2026 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 4-Jan-2027 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 4-Jan-2026 21:00 EST
- Price
- $65.00
Agenda
TENTATIVE! Check here the week of the event to make sure you have the current agenda.
Teams MUST be checked-in by 9:30. If your team is running late, call the Event Partner or the match schedule will be run WITHOUT your team.
Elimination Matches
Number of elimination alliances
- 16-23 teams = 8 alliances (16 teams) in elimination bracket
- 24+ teams = 12 alliances (24 teams) in elimination bracket
NOTES:
- Alliances will be 2 teams.
- Teams that decline invitations may inadvertently remove themselves from the elimination bracket
- All finals matches will be one-and-done (no best-of-three matches).
- Ties in finals matches will be replayed until a winner is determined.
Stream
Webcast We will put good faith effort into supporting a live stream but make no promises. https://www.youtube.com/live/9H5_EPgcysg
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. Digital Engineering Notebook must be linked to your account and submitted before your team checks in on Feb 7.
Volunteer
Volunteer If you wish to volunteer at this tournament please contact the event partner in charge. jhoguet@gmail.com
Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy The tournament will go on unless the interstates are closed for bad weather. If the event is cancelled, then Cancelled will appear in the title of the event.