Hi Coaches,

The 2026-27 VEX IQ season for Level Up is here, and we're glad you're part of it. Here's how we'd suggest starting.

Start with a low-pressure first event

We're hosting a Skills Only event on Wednesday, October 21, 5:00-7:30 PM at Mary Our Queen School. It's built specifically to help teams get rolling.

Your robot does not need to be finished. Half-built, barely tested, or still a kit on the table is completely fine. Plenty of teams will be arriving in exactly the same spot. This evening exists so students can get comfortable with what a competition actually feels like. They'll see the field up close, get to know the game, try some Driver and Autonomous Coding Skills runs, and trade ideas with other teams. Bring what you have.

It's a good fit for brand-new students, for returning teams shaking off the summer, and for anyone who wants a relaxed first outing before the season gets busy. $10 per team, elementary and middle school both welcome, 40 team spots.

The entry fee doubles as a small fundraiser. It goes toward the field and game elements we need to host events this season, so bringing a team to this one helps make the rest of the calendar possible.

Registration for it opens September 1.

Register your teams now so you're ready

Team registration is open at events.vex.com.

This is the one thing genuinely worth doing this week. Your team registration fee has to be paid before you can sign up for any tournament. Getting it done now means you can claim a spot the moment event registration opens, instead of sorting out paperwork while spots fill.

Get to know the game

Level Up's rules, field, and scoring are all in the Game Manual. If your students can review the Teamwork Challenge, Robot Skills, and Programming Skills formats before your first build session, it pays off. Students who understand how points are earned tend to design with a lot more purpose.

The GRSF Library is also newly online and growing through the season, with coaching resources and how-to articles. Worth a bookmark.

More events are on the way

We're working with several more organizations who are adding events to the 2026-27 calendar, so expect the schedule to keep filling out over the next few weeks. We'll share it as soon as it's settled. For now, October 21 is a great place to point your students.

If you have questions about any of this, or you're not sure where your team should start, get in touch. We're happy to help.

Looking forward to a great season together,

Brandon Petersen
gainingSTEAM

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