RoboPalooza 2025-2026
February 7 & March 4, 2026
Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA
RoboPalooza Overview
🏆 Competition & Celebration
Competition Day: February 7th, 2026 • Celebration Day: March 4th, 2026
📍 Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA • 🏒 Hockey game takes place on Celebration Day
RoboPalooza is more than just a robotics competition. It is a festival that celebrates the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our students in robotics. 🎊🤖
✅ Who Can Participate
RoboPalooza is open only to students who are currently enrolled and registered in our FUSD and CJUSD school programs for the 2025-2026 season.
If your student is not currently enrolled in a participating FUSD or CJUSD program, they will not be able to compete at this event.
✅ Free to attend: Spectators are welcome at no cost.🚗 Parking: Parking at the venue will be free!
Music & Entertainment
Exciting musical performances and entertainment throughout the day!
Competitive Races
Watch robots compete in thrilling timed challenges!
Puzzle Challenges
Test problem-solving skills with autonomous missions!
Robot Battles
Experience the excitement of competitive robotics!
Competition Categories
RoboPalooza features WRO-style challenges tailored to different age groups and experience levels.
Starter
Ages 8 and under
Entry level RoboMission style challenges with simplified rules for first time competitors.
Elementary RoboMission
Ages 8–12
Autonomous missions on a themed field with age appropriate RoboMission challenges.
Junior RoboMission
Ages 11–15
More advanced missions that build strategy, coding skills, and engineering design.
Event Schedule – February 7th
Event Schedule is as follows:
Check In
Opening Ceremony
Competition Runs
Closing Ceremony
Competition Rules & Format
🎯 Challenge Format
Students will be given three challenges to complete.
Challenges are pass/fail and revealed on event day.
Teams can complete challenges in any order.
⏱️ Time Limit
Teams have a total of two hours to complete as many challenges as possible.
Complete missions within time limit to qualify for tier levels.
🤖 Autonomous Rules
All missions must be solved autonomously.
Once launched from start area, robots must complete missions without human intervention.
👥 Team Guidelines
Students compete as individual teams within their school groups.
Teams must work independently without coach assistance.
Verbal support allowed within same school only.
💻 Equipment
Each team must bring their own laptop, robot, and download cables.
All code must be created from scratch by the team.
No pre-written code allowed.
⚖️ Judging
A designated judge will be assigned to each table.
Green Flag: Mission completed successfully.
Red Flag: Mission failed.
Awards & Recognition
Medal Tiers
Gold Medal
Top Tier Achievement
Silver Medal
Outstanding Performance
Bronze Medal
Great Achievement
March 4th Celebration! 🎉
Join us for a special celebration ceremony on March 4th. The hockey game is held on this Celebration Day.
Ontario Reign vs Tucson Roadrunners
All teams will be recognized at center ice based on their tier level.
Group photo at the conclusion of ceremony.
Access to hockey game, walk on ice, hot dog voucher & RoboPalooza swag bag included!
Note: The hockey game is not held immediately after Competition Day. It is part of Celebration Day on March 4th.
Get More Details →WRO 2026 FAQ
Everything you need to know about the season
How does a WRO season work?
- The WRO 2026 season follows this structured competition schedule:
- Registration Opens: January 2026
- Game Rules Released: January 15, 2026
- District Championships (District Partners Only): Ontario, CA · April 17–18, 2026
- Virginia Open Qualifier: Charlottesville, VA · July 2026 (subject to change)
- School National Championships (District Partners Only): Ontario, CA · July 24–26, 2026
- USEL Affiliate Cup: Aurora, IL · August 7-9, 2026 (subject to change)
- US Open Championships: Ontario, CA · September 24–28, 2026
- Open Championship: Asia & Pacific: Delhi, India · September 25–27, 2026
- Open Championship: Europe: Zagreb, Croatia · October 13–16, 2026
- International Final: San Juan, Puerto Rico · December 8–10, 2026
How do I register a team for the competition?
- To participate in WRO competitions, you need one of two affiliate passes:
- Season Pass (Tier 1): For parents, schools, or organizations registering one team. Includes one team registration, eligibility to register for the Affiliate Cup and Regional Open Qualifiers (separate fees apply), and access to official WRO materials.
- Event Organizer Pass (Tier 2): For organizations wanting to host their own WRO events. Allows you to host sanctioned Regional Open Qualifiers, register unlimited teams to your own events at no additional USEL fee, and apply to host next year's Affiliate Cup.
- District Championships & School National Championships: Exclusive to school partners—affiliates cannot register for these events.
- Visit the USEL Store to purchase your Season Pass or Event Organizer Pass.
- A signed data protection form is required when submitting team member details.
What is the difference between the Season Pass and Event Organizer Pass?
- Season Pass: Includes one team registration and allows you to purchase additional registrations at a reduced cost. Grants eligibility to register for the Affiliate Cup and Regional Open Qualifiers (separate registration fees apply for each event).
- Event Organizer Pass: Allows organizations to host their own sanctioned WRO events, register unlimited teams to their own events at no additional USEL fee, and apply to host Regional Open Qualifiers or next year's Affiliate Cup.
- If you participate through an Event Organizer's hosted events, you may not need your own Season Pass for those specific events.
What is the USEL Affiliate Cup?
- The USEL Affiliate Cup is a national level competition held in Aurora, IL that awards USA National Robotics Team qualification spots to both the International Finals and the Americas Open Championship.
- The Affiliate Cup replaces the traditional US Nationals for teams outside of partnered public school districts.
- International Finals qualification spots from the Affiliate Cup:
- RoboMission – one team from each age group
- RoboSports – one qualifying team
- Future Innovators – one qualifying team
- Future Engineers – one qualifying team
- Event Organizers may apply to host next year's Affiliate Cup.
How do Regional Open Qualifiers work?
- Regional Open Qualifiers are hosted by Event Organizers and award qualification spots to the WRO Americas Open Championship.
- All Regional Open Qualifiers must be approved by USEL before being held.
- Important: Regional Open Qualifiers do NOT award spots to the International Finals—only the Affiliate Cup does.
- Event Organizers can apply to host Regional Open Qualifiers through USEL.
Can a team compete at both the Americas Open and International Finals?
- No. Starting this season, teams are no longer allowed to compete at both events.
- You must choose one path: either the WRO Americas Open Championship or the WRO International Finals.
- The Affiliate Cup awards spots to both competitions, while Regional Open Qualifiers only award spots to the Americas Open Championship.
Do I need my own robot?
- Yes, teams must provide their own robot.
- All robot systems are now allowed in all WRO categories for 2026!
- Each category has specific size and weight requirements (e.g., RoboMission: max 25x25x25cm, RoboSports: max 20x20x20cm and 1.2kg, Future Engineers: max 30x20x30cm).
How much does it cost to participate in WRO?
- Participation requires purchasing either a Season Pass or Event Organizer Pass from the USEL Store.
- The Season Pass and Event Organizer Pass grant eligibility to participate. Registration fees for the Affiliate Cup and Regional Open Qualifiers are separate and vary by event.
- Event Organizers do not pay USEL per-team fees to register teams to their own hosted events.
- For teams qualifying for international competitions, additional fees apply.
Move-in Date and Time
- District Championships (Ontario, CA · April 17–18, 2026): Day before event from 10 AM - 4 PM OR morning of event from 7 AM - 9 AM
- School National Championships (Ontario, CA · July 24–26, 2026): Day before event from 10 AM - 4 PM
- Affiliate Cup (Aurora, IL · August 8, 2026): Day before event from 10 AM - 4 PM
- Please check specific event details closer to the date for exact times and locations.
How many booths are available for exhibitors?
- District Championships: Up to 15 standard 10x10 booths can fit.
- School National Championships / Affiliate Cup: More space is available, allowing for double the booths.
- Contact USEL for specific booth availability at each event.
Is parking included for exhibitors?
- Yes, exhibitors receive one parking pass. Additional passes can be requested.
Will there be WiFi and electricity?
- Yes, WiFi and electricity will be available at all competition venues.
