2026 WRO REGIONAL OPEN QUALIFIER:
FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY
June 14, 2026 · 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM
Hosted by Kids2Kids.club
📍 Fort Lee Recreation Center
1500 8th Street · Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Registration Is Now Open!
Secure your team's spot at the 2026 WRO Regional Open Qualifier in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Register today to compete for a chance to advance to the WRO Americas Open Championship.
Register Your Team
A valid USEL Season Pass is also required to register.
Choose Your Challenge
Three categories at Fort Lee, each designed to challenge different skills and interests. Following the official WRO rules for robot sizes and dimensions is required across all categories.
RoboMission
Design, construct, and program an autonomous robot to solve specific challenges on a field. Because the field is set up randomly each round, the robot needs to make its own decisions during the run.
General Rules (All Age Groups)Elementary
Perfect introduction to competitive robotics. Program an autonomous robot to complete themed missions on a challenge field.
Junior
More complex challenges requiring advanced programming. Robots must make autonomous decisions based on randomized field conditions.
Senior
The most challenging missions requiring sophisticated robot design and advanced programming strategies for complex field scenarios.
RoboSports
A fast-paced, exciting game where two teams each have two autonomous robots on the field competing in a sports-style match. Robots can be built from all materials with no limitation on motors, sensors, or cameras.
General & Game RulesRoboSports – Double Tennis
Teams design two robots that compete against robots from another team in an exciting head-to-head sports game format.
Future Innovators
A project-based competition where students create their own innovative intelligent robotics solution relating to the current season theme. Teams present to judges in a booth setting.
General Rules (All Age Groups)Elementary
Create innovative robotics solutions to real-world problems. Present your project to judges in a booth setting.
Junior
Teams present their project and robot to judges who evaluate innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills.
Senior
Advanced innovation projects with emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking and sophisticated technical solutions.
Event Schedule
A single-day competition format with three categories running in parallel. All times are local Eastern (ET). The day concludes with a unified closing ceremony for all participants.
🤖 RoboMission Senior
- 08:00 AMSet Up & Volunteers Arrive
- 08:45 AMTeam Check-In
- 09:00 – 10:00First Round Practice
- 10:00 – 10:30First Round Match
- 10:30 – 11:00Second Round Practice
- 11:00 – 11:30Second Round Match
- 11:30 – 12:00Third Round Practice
- 12:00 – 12:30Third Round Match
- 12:30 – 01:00Lunch Break
- 01:00 – 01:30Hidden Rule Announcement
- 01:30 – 02:30First Round of Hidden Rule Practice
- 02:30 – 03:00First Round of Hidden Rule Match
- 03:00 – 04:00Second Round of Hidden Rule Practice
- 04:00 – 04:30Second Round of Hidden Rule Match
🏐 RoboSports
- 09:00 – 10:00First Round Practice
- 10:00 – 10:30First Round Match
- 10:30 – 11:00Second Round Practice
- 11:00 – 11:30Second Round Match
- 11:30 – 12:00Third Round Practice
- 12:00 – 12:30Third Round Match
💡 Future Innovators
- 01:30 – 02:30Presentation Judging
Teams should be set up at their booth and ready for judging by 1:30 PM. Detailed judging slots will be assigned at check-in.
🏆 4:40 PM – 5:00 PM · Closing Ceremony
All categories join together for the awards presentation and closing ceremony at the end of the day.
Event Details
📅 Sunday, June 14, 2026
8:45 AM – 5:00 PM | Single-Day Competition
✅ Who Can Participate
The WRO Regional Open Qualifier: Fort Lee, New Jersey is open to any team holding a valid USEL Season Pass. Teams must hold an active Season Pass before registering.
🌎 All Eligible Teams Welcome: Out-of-state teams are welcome to compete. | ✅ Registration is now open. Register your team here. Top qualifiers will advance to the WRO Americas Open Championship.
📍 Location
Fort Lee Recreation Center
1500 8th Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
⏰ Event Day
Sunday, June 14, 2026
8:45 AM – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Team check-in begins at 8:45 AM. See the Schedule section above for category-specific timing.
🤖 About the Event
The 2026 WRO Regional Open Qualifier: Fort Lee is a single-day competition bringing teams together at the Fort Lee Recreation Center, just steps from the George Washington Bridge and the greater New York City metro area. The event covers RoboMission, RoboSports, and Future Innovators, with top-placing teams advancing to the WRO Americas Open Championship. The event is organized by Kids2Kids.club, a youth-focused organization committed to expanding STEM and robotics opportunities for students in the New York–New Jersey region.
Hotel Recommendations
Both recommended hotels are within a short drive of the Fort Lee Recreation Center, with easy access to nearby dining and the George Washington Bridge.
🏨 Hyatt Place Fort Lee
A modern, all-suite hotel located in Fort Lee with complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi. A convenient, family-friendly option for teams traveling to the event.
View Hotel🏨 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Fort Lee
A full-service hotel by Hilton with on-site dining, fitness facilities, and the signature DoubleTree warm welcome. Well-suited for both individual families and larger team groups.
View HotelHotel availability and rates are subject to change. Teams are encouraged to book early to secure preferred rates.
Airport Recommendations
✈️ Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Distance from venue: Approximately 18 miles (30–45 minutes by car)
The closest major airport to Fort Lee, with extensive domestic and international routes. A Newark Airport hub for United Airlines. Rental cars, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), and taxi service are all readily available from the terminal.
✈️ LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Distance from venue: Approximately 14 miles (30–50 minutes by car)
Located in Queens, NY, just across the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee. A practical option for teams flying in on domestic routes. Rental cars and rideshare are available; travel times can vary significantly based on bridge traffic.
✈️ John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Distance from venue: Approximately 28 miles (45–75 minutes by car)
JFK offers the widest range of international routes for teams traveling from abroad. A bit farther from the venue, but well-connected by car services and rental car options.
Getting Around: Fort Lee sits just across the George Washington Bridge from upper Manhattan, with excellent access to all three NYC-area airports. Car rentals and rideshare (Uber/Lyft) are the most practical options for reaching the Fort Lee Recreation Center on event day.
Food & Dining
🍱 Lunch Coordination
The event organizer will coordinate a group lunch order for participants. Details, menu options, and ordering instructions will be emailed to all registered teams on June 5, 2026 — about a week before the event. Please watch your inbox.
Fort Lee is a vibrant dining destination known for its diverse culinary scene, especially its renowned Korean restaurants. Many great options are within a short drive of the venue.
🍽️ Main Street & Lemoine Avenue Corridor
Location: Downtown Fort Lee, NJ (a short drive from the venue)
Cuisine: Korean, Japanese, Italian, American, Diverse
Fort Lee's main commercial corridor is packed with restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and quick-service spots. Known particularly for its excellent Korean BBQ, Korean fried chicken, and bakeries — a great area for team dinners after the competition.
🍽️ Hudson Lights & The Modern District
Location: Fort Lee, NJ (near the George Washington Bridge)
Cuisine: Casual Dining, International, Cafes
A modern mixed-use development near the bridge featuring a curated selection of casual restaurants and cafes. Convenient for families looking for relaxed dining with parking, particularly nice on a Sunday evening.
🍽️ Edgewater Waterfront
Location: Edgewater, NJ (~5 minutes south of Fort Lee)
Cuisine: American, Asian, Mediterranean, Seafood
A scenic waterfront area along the Hudson River with views of the Manhattan skyline. Home to a variety of casual and upscale restaurants. A memorable choice for teams wanting to combine dinner with a postcard view of New York City.
Questions & Clarifications
For any questions or clarifications regarding the WRO Regional Open Qualifier: Fort Lee, New Jersey, please contact the event organizer directly. The Kids2Kids.club team is happy to help with registration questions, team logistics, and anything else you need to know.
⏱️ Please allow 24–48 hours for a response, especially during peak registration periods.
