This article outlines what a Signature Event is, the awards and World Championship qualification spots tied to Signature Event status, and the proposal, application, and registration deadlines Event Partners must meet. It is written for Event Partners applying to host a Signature Event.
Definitions of the terms used here are maintained in the central glossary.
What Is a Signature Event?
Global Robotics and Science Foundation Signature Events provide students with a high-quality tournament experience featuring elevated technical execution, production value, and overall event quality beyond standard competitions. These events are designed to expand access to elite competition experiences for teams that may not typically attend a Championship Event or the VEX Robotics World Championship.
Signature Events that meet all requirements may qualify teams directly to the VEX Robotics World Championship. These events are supported by Event Partners who are responsible for delivering this elevated experience.
Awards
Any award that qualifies a team for the VEX Robotics World Championship must include both a banner and a trophy.
Events must use the official Excellence Award and Tournament Champions or Teamwork Champions banners. Unofficial, altered, locally printed, or substitute banners may not be used for these awards unless approved in advance.
Awards must be presented using the official award names and criteria.
Required Awards: VEX V5, VEX IQ, and JROTC
The following awards are required:
- Excellence Award
- Tournament Champions or Teamwork Champions
- Design Award
- Robot Skills Champion
- Innovate Award
- Think Award
- Amaze Award
- Build Award
- Create Award
- Judges Award
- Sportsmanship Award
Awards should only be presented when a team meets the official criteria established in the Award Descriptions article.
Required Awards: VEX U
The following awards are required:
- Excellence Award
- Tournament Champions
- Design Award
- Robot Skills Champion
- Judges Award
- Innovate Award
- Sportsmanship Award
The Event Partner may offer additional approved awards when appropriate, provided all required awards are included and sufficient judging resources are available.
Schedule
To submit an application, go to the Signature Event Application.
December 1, 2025: Application Open – Event Partners may begin submitting Signature Event applications. Applications should include the proposed location, dates, programs, grade levels, estimated capacity, venue information, confirmed staffing plans, field plans, registration fees, preliminary schedules, and other required documentation.
February 28, 2026: Application Deadline – The final application should include confirmed venue information, dates, event capacity, staffing plans, field plans, registration fees, preliminary schedules, and other required documentation.
March 31, 2026: Applicant Notification Deadline – Global Robotics will notify all applicants of acceptance or decline by this date.
VEX Worlds: Event Announcements – Approved events are expected to be announced during the VEX Robotics World Championship. Event Partners should not publicly announce approval before receiving official confirmation and communication guidance.
September 1, 2026: Events Posted – Approved events must be posted on events.vex.com by this date. Event listings should be complete and ready for public review, including registration details, pricing, policies, schedules, venue information, and team communications.
Registration Schedule
Priority Registration – Priority Registration opens 16 weeks before the event. Priority Registration may be limited to eligible teams based on geographic, organizational, participation, or other approved criteria. The event listing must clearly explain which teams qualify for Priority Registration.
Standard Registration – Standard Registration opens 14 weeks before the event. At that time, registration should become available to all otherwise eligible teams, subject to event capacity, organization limits, Regional Capacities, and the published waitlist process.
World Championship Qualification
Event Dates
Signature Events must take place between July 1, 2026, and February 22, 2027, to be eligible for World Championship qualification spots.
Qualification Spots
Approved Signature Events receive the following World Championship qualification spots:
| Program | Qualification Spots |
| VEX V5 and VEX IQ | 1 Excellence Award spot, 2 Tournament or Teamwork Champion spots |
| VEX U | 1 Excellence Award spot, 1 Tournament Champion spot |
Event Eligibility
Signature Events must be open to all eligible teams within the applicable program and Level.
Compliance
Events must meet all published requirements in the Event Qualifying Criteria, the Signature Event standards articles, and other applicable Global Robotics and VEX Robotics policies.
Events that do not meet published requirements may lose some or all World Championship qualification spots. Continued noncompliance may result in probation, corrective action, or loss of Signature Event status. Global Robotics may approve exceptions in special regional circumstances.
Double qualification will be handled according to the Event Qualifying Criteria. Event Partners may not independently reassign qualification spots.
Registration Rules
All Signature Events must follow the official Signature Event Priority Registration system.
Each team receives three Priority Registration tokens per season. Teams from the hosting organization may register during Priority Registration without using a token.
Team swapping is not permitted within four weeks of the event.
Any change to event capacity requires prior approval from Global Robotics.
When possible, Event Partners should confirm availability with team coaches before moving teams from the waitlist into the event.