A brief introduction to the World Robot Olympiad
*Can NOT advance to international finals as an individual competitor*
New to WRO?
The World Robot Olympiad (WRO for short) is an international robot competition for all children and young people aged 8-22 and is organized in USA by USEngineeringleague. We will provide information about the special features of the competition shortly:
- The competition has 4 competition categories, some with different age groups. Take a look here and think about which category you would like to take part in.
- The WRO is a team competition for teams of 2 or 3, supervised by an adult coach. Only in our starter program can you get your first taste of competition on your own.
- First, you register for one of the regional competitions for WRO USEL . There you can qualify for the WRO USA final and then for international finals.
- All robot systems and programming environments can be used in all WRO competition categories .
RoboMission
- Age: Elementary: 8-12 | Junior: 11-15 | Senior: 14-19
- Team size: 2-3 people guided by a coach
- Hardware: Free choice (new starting 2025 season)
- Software: Free choice
- Maximum size: Max. 25 x 25 x 25 cm
- Characteristics: Build and program a robot that solves challenges on a field.
WRO® RoboMission is a challenge-based competition. Students must design, construct and program an autonomous robot that can solve specific challenges on a field. Because the field is set up randomly each round, the robot needs to be able to make its own decisions during the run.
Get Your RoboMission WRO Bundle
WRO RoboMission Bundle Includes
- 2025 Registration: Your Registration with for the 2025 Season will be included as part of the bundle
- WRO Mat: You will get an official WRO RoboMission mat to practice your skills on the mats that will be used for all 2025 competitions
- Official Robot: You will get an official robot that will include a build guide on how to setup and operate your WRO robot
- WRO Challenge Kits: These kits provides you with all the necessary pieces to place on the mat and complete WRO missions. You will receive both WRO challenge and expansion kits
- USEL Online Tournament App: Gain access to the 2025 online tournament platform, where teams can compete
- Curriculum: Our curriculum includes build guides and covers all the basic and advanced skills to be a high competitor at WRO competitions
Future Innovators
- Age: Elementary: 8-12 | Junior: 11-15 | Senior: 14-19
- Team size: 2-3 people guided by a coach
- Hardware: Free choice
- Software: Free choice
- Maximum size: Must fit in 2x2x2m booth
- Characteristics: Develop a robot project that helps solve real world problems.
Teams will present their project and their robot model to a group of judges on the competition day. The judges will not only grade the robot solution but will also look at aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Get Your Future Innovators WRO Bundle
Bundle Includes
- 2025 Registration: Your Registration for the 2025 Season
- Curriculum: Our curriculum covers all the basic and advanced skills for WRO competitions
- Online Challenges: Compete in fun, skill-building robotics challenges.
- Access to Online Portal: Easily manage registrations, resources, and updates.
- Robot: Bundle Includes a robot and build guide to get you started
Future Engineers
- Age: 14-22 (new starting 2025 season)
- Team size: 2-3 students guided by a coach
- Hardware: Free choice
- Software: Free choice
- Maximum size: Max. 30 x 20 x 30cm
- Characteristics: Advanced robotics following current research trends.
With WRO® Future Engineers we created an exciting category for older students. With this new format, we want to bring the current research challenge into schools and teach students an engineering workflow by solving real-world-problems. Teams can use any robot, controller and materials that are in line with the regulations.
Get Your Future Engineers WRO Bundle
Bundle Includes
- 2025 Registration: Your Registration with for the 2025 Season will be included as part of the bundle
- WRO Mat: You will get an official Future Innovators mat to practice your skills on the mat that will be used for all 2025 competitions
- WRO Robot: You will get an robot that will include a build guide on how to setup and operate your robot
RoboSports
- Age: 11-19
- Team size: 2-3 people guided by a coach
- Hardware: Free choice
- Software: Free choice
- Maximum size: Max. 20 x 20 x 20 cm
- Characteristics: Teams design 2 robots that compete with robots of another team.
With the WRO® RoboSports category we introduce a fun and exciting game where two teams each have two autonomous robots on the field playing a sports game. The robot can be built from all materials. There is no limitation to motors, sensors or cameras used in the robot, but the maximum weight is 1.2 kg.
Which robots can be used?
The short answer:
In general, all robot systems can be used at the WRO.
The slightly longer answer:
Depending on the competition category, there are a few special features in the rules that must be observed. For example, in the RoboMission category and the Starter Program, the robot can only be 25cm x 25cm x 25cm in size, or in the Future Engineers category it can weigh a maximum of 1.5kg. Teams that take part in the Future Innovators category can transform a stand up to 2m x 2m x 2m into a robot world and be particularly creative in doing so.
So take a closer look at the different competition categories and think about which category you enjoy the most.
WRO 2026 FAQ
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Everything you need to know about the season
Competition Info
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.
Exhibitor Information
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.
