Oxford, AL – The sixth consecutive Oxford VEX Robotics Competition began today, Thursday, January 22, 2026, bringing students from across Alabama and Georgia to the Oxford Civic Center.
The two-day competition highlights student skills in communication, collaboration, time management, robot design, programming, and operations. The VEX Robotics program is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences that encourage interest in STEM-related fields and future careers.
Today’s competition features 35 high school teams competing at the VEX V5 level. Teams are participating in VEX V5 Robotics Competition: Push Back, played on a 12-by-12-foot square field. Matches consist of a 15-second autonomous period followed by a one-minute, 45-second driver-controlled period. Alliances of two teams compete head-to-head, earning points by scoring blocks in goals, controlling goal zones, clearing loaders, and parking in designated areas at the end of each match.
The competition will continue Friday, January 23, with 44 elementary and middle school teams competing at the VEX IQ level. Friday’s game, VEX IQ Robotics Competition: Mix & Match, is played on a 6-by-8-foot rectangular field. Teams earn points by building stacks of pins and beams, placing stacks in goals, incorporating multiple colors, and matching stack colors to goal colors. During the Teamwork Challenge, alliances of two robots work together to score as many points as possible in a 60-second match.
The daily schedule for both competition days includes:
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7 a.m. – Doors open
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7:30 a.m. – Inspection opens
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8:30 a.m. – Drivers meeting
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9 a.m. – Opening ceremony
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9:20 a.m. – Qualifying matches begin
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11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Lunch
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2 p.m. – Alliance selections
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3:30 p.m. – Awards ceremony
Admission to watch the competition is free, though observation space is limited.
