From Regionals to Worlds: The Road to Global Robotics Finals

Every year, thousands of student teams across the globe set out on an exciting journey in robotics. Two of the most prestigious pathways are the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and the VEX Robotics Competition (V5RC). Both challenge high school students to design, build, and program robots to solve complex, game-based tasks.

But how does a team from Portugal—or anywhere else—go from building in a school workshop to standing under the bright lights of the World Championships? The answer lies in regional competitions.

Why Regionals Matter

Regional events are the gateway to the season’s biggest stages:

• FRC Championship – Houston, USA (annually in April)
• VEX Robotics World Championship – Dallas, USA (annually in May)

At these finals, the best teams from across continents come together to compete, share ideas, and celebrate innovation. But the ticket to Worlds isn’t automatic—teams must qualify at regional or national events first.

Qualifying criteria typically include:

• Winning a regional tournament.
• Earning judged awards for design, innovation, or outreach.
• Ranking high enough in skills challenges (VEX).
• Being selected for wildcards or advancement spots (FRC).

For many teams, a strong regional performance is not just about victory—it’s about proving readiness to represent their country on the global stage.

Europe’s Limited but Vital Opportunities in 2026

Unlike North America, Europe has only a handful of regional events—making each one a rare and valuable opportunity. For the 2026 season, confirmed European events include:

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC – Türkiye)

• İstanbul Regional — Mar 3–5, 2026
• Bosphorus Regional — Mar 6–8, 2026
• Haliç Regional — Mar 25–27, 2026
• Marmara Regional — Mar 28–30, 2026
• Avrasya Regional — Mar 31–Apr 2, 2026

VEX Robotics Competition (V5RC)

• Alpine Robo Games (Open) — Feb 7–8, 2026, Switzerland
• UK VEX Nationals (HS) — Feb 27–Mar 2, 2026, United Kingdom

That’s just 7 major events across all of Europe—a reminder of how scarce these opportunities are. For SDR students, traveling to and competing in even one of these regionals would mean a chance to qualify for the World Finals, but also to connect with peers, showcase Portugal’s talent, and put our school on the international robotics map.

The Call to Action: Making it Happen

At Saint Dominic’s Robotics, we’re on a mission to get there. Competing internationally requires dedication, teamwork, and resources—but with the right support, we can build a program that earns its place at the biggest robotics stages in the world.

Join SDR today—whether as a student, mentor, parent, or sponsor. Together, we can put Saint Dominic’s International School at the heart of global robotics and ensure our students don’t miss these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Want to be part of the journey? Contact us through the school or follow SDR updates to learn how you can contribute.