Tournament Info

Kettering University Events 1 & 2

Date: January 31 & February 14

Location: Kettering University, 1700 University Avenue, Flint, MI 48504

Parking: Follow the VEX Event signage posted on Chevrolet Ave. to parking (Lot 3) and check in at the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center 

Agenda

• 07:15 AM  Team check-in, Flight Clearance Inspections & Pit set-up and 
• 08:00 AM  Skills matches begin
• 09:00 AM  Flight Team Meeting, Skills matches end
• 09:30 AM  Teamwork Matches, Autonomous Matches & Judging begin
• 12:00 PM  Lunch break (NO skills open)
• 01:00 PM  Teamwork Matches, Autonomous Matches & Judging resume
• 03:15 PM  Alliance Selection
• 03:30 PM  Elimination matches, Finals and Awards
• 04:30 PM  Event Ends

* Campus Tours begin at the conclusion of the awards ceremony, with pizza to follow the tour for those participating in the tour only.

Pre-Order Food Vouchers: 

• Pre-order vouchers for all-you-can-eat lunch (one time through) at the Kettering Battenburg Cafe in the NEW Learning Commons are $12 each and available for purchase on Kettering's Site. 
• Orders must be placed ONLINE by noon on the Tuesday before the event, so they have enough time to pick them up from the Dining Services office before the event.
• The cafe offers a wide variety of food (including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more) and beverages for $12 per person. 
• Vouchers have no expiration date - if you plan to attend future events at Kettering, you will be able to use leftover vouchers at that time.
• Outside food is permitted in both the Rec Center and Learning Commons, but there will NOT be a dedicated place or plugs for your Team to set up your own food service. Sternos or other warming devices are NOT permitted.

Local Eateries

• Einstein Bros Bagels - Chevrolet & University Ave. 10AM-2PM
• Jimmy John’s - 810.232.3717 - Delivery 11AM-4PM
• Little Caesars Pizza - 810.767.5585 - Delivery 11AM-10PM  

Judging

• We are moving to digital flight logbooks this year. These must be submitted digitally by 5:00 pm on the Wednesday before the event. 
• Physical flight logbooks will not be accepted at the event
• Registered teams will be interviewed in person at the event.

Awards 
Find award criteria here.  

• All-Around Champion (MS & HS)
• Teamwork Mission Champion
• Communications Mission Champion
• Coding Award
• Airmanship Award
• Judges Award
• Skills Mission Champion (MS & HS)

LINK to Event #1

LINK to Event #2

Livestream: TBD

Hudsonville Christian Tournament

Date: March 14, 2026

Location: Hudsonville Christian School, 3435 Oak St, Hudsonville, MI 49426 |  Parking is available in the lot on the corner of Oak & Lincoln with entry via the West Gym doors. 

Agenda

• 08:00 AM  Team Check-In and Inspection
• 08:15 AM  Piloting Skills Matches begin
• 09:30 AM  Piloting Skills Matches end. Flight Team Meeting
• 10:00 AM  Teamwork & Autonomous Flight Skills Matches begin
• 12:00 PM  Lunch
• 12:30 PM  Teamwork & Autonomous Skills Matches Resume
• 02:30 PM  Teamwork & Skills Matches End
• 02:30 PM  Alliance Selection & Finals
• 04:00 PM  Awards

Food 

Teams are welcome to bring their own food and they will have concession snacks and drinks. Donuts will be available in the morning, and we will also take pizza orders for lunch (we will handle the order and delivery on time for lunch).  

Awards 
Find award criteria here.  

• All Around Champion
• Teamwork Mission Champion
• Skills Mission Champion
• Communications Mission Champion
• Coding Award
• Airmanship Award
• Judges Award

LINK to Event

Livestream: TBD

MS North Central Aerial Drone Competition Championship

Date: May 15 & May 16

Location: Kettering University, Connie & Jim John Recreation Center, 1700 University Avenue, Flint, MI 48504

Parking: Parking will be available in Lot 3, behind the Recreation Center. 

Qualifying Teams

• Team # (Team Name) - Student Names

Agenda

Friday, May 1, 2026

• 5:00 pm EST – All notebooks must be submitted digitally via the link in your Robot Events account.

Friday, May 15, 2026

• 08:30 AM  Early open for teams brining fields
• 10:00 AM  Team Check-In, Flight Clearance Inspections, Pit Set-Up
• 01:30 PM  Registration closes; Opening Ceremonies
• 02:00 PM  Teamwork Matches
• 06:00 PM  Venue Closes

Saturday, May 16, 2026

• 08:00 AM  Venue Opens
• 09:00 AM  Teamwork Matches begin
• 11:30 AM  Lunch
• 12:30 PM  Teamwork Matches
• 04:15 PM  Alliance Selection
• 04:30 PM  Teamwork Elimination & Finals Matches
• 05:30 PM  Awards
• 06:30 PM  Venue Closes

Food

Pre-Order

• Pre-order vouchers for all-you-can-eat lunch (one time through) at the Kettering Battenburg Cafe in the NEW Learning Commons are $12 each and available for purchase on Kettering's Site. 
• Orders must be placed ONLINE by noon on the Tuesday before the event, so they have enough time to pick them up from the Dining Services office before the event.
• The cafe offers a wide variety of food (including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more) and beverages for $12 per person. 
• Vouchers have no expiration date - if you plan to attend future events at Kettering, you will be able to use leftover vouchers at that time.
• Outside food is permitted in both the Rec Center and Learning Commons, but there will NOT be a dedicated place or plugs for your Team to set up your own food service. Sternos or other warming devices are NOT permitted.

Local Eateries

• Einstein Bros Bagels - Chevrolet & University Ave. - 10AM-2PM.
• Jimmy John’s - 810.232.3717 - Delivery 11AM-4PM
• Little Caesars Pizza - 810.767.5585 - Delivery 11AM-10PM

Lodging

As a reminder, this is a multi-day event. If you have not yet secured lodging, it is advised that you do so soon. Options within 5 miles include: 

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc (breakfast & pool)
• Gateway Hotel & Convention Center (pool, no breakfast)
• Holiday Inn Express (breakfast. no pool)
• Hyatt Place (breakfast & pool)
• Comfort Inn (breakfast & pool)

Judging Format

Competition Logbook: 

• In-person interviews will take place at the event. Digital logbooks must be submitted by 5:00 pm Friday May 1, 2026 and will be reviewed before the event weekend. Physical logbooks will not be accepted at the event.

Awards 

Find award criteria here.  

• All-Around Champion
• Teamwork Mission Champion
• Skills Mission Champion
• Communications Mission Champion
• Coding Award
• Airmanship Award
• Judges Award

LINK to Event

Livestream: TBD

HS North Central Aerial Drone Competition Championship

Date: May 19 & May 20

Location: Kettering University, Connie & Jim John Recreation Center, 1700 University Avenue, Flint, MI 48504

Parking: Parking will be available in Lot 3, behind the Recreation Center. 

Qualifying Teams

• Team # (Team Name) - Student Names

Agenda

Friday, May 1, 2026

• 5:00 pm EST – All notebooks must be submitted digitally via the link in your Robot Events account.

Friday, May 15, 2026

• 08:00 AM  Early open for teams brining fields
• 10:00 AM  Team Check-In, Flight Clearance Inspections, Pit Set-Up
• 01:30 PM  Registration closes; Opening Ceremonies
• 02:00 PM  Teamwork Matches
• 06:30 PM  Venue Closes

Saturday, May 16, 2026

• 08:00 AM  Venue Opens
• 09:00 AM  Teamwork Matches begin
• 11:30 AM  Lunch
• 12:30 PM  Teamwork Matches
• 04:15 PM  Alliance Selection
• 04:30 PM  Teamwork Elimination & Finals Matches
• 05:30 PM  Awards
• 06:30 PM  Venue Closes

Food

Pre-Order

• Pre-order vouchers for all-you-can-eat lunch (one time through) at the Kettering Battenburg Cafe in the NEW Learning Commons are $12 each and available for purchase on Kettering's Site. 
• Orders must be placed ONLINE by noon on the Tuesday before the event, so they have enough time to pick them up from the Dining Services office before the event.
• The cafe offers a wide variety of food (including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more) and beverages for $12 per person. 
• Vouchers have no expiration date - if you plan to attend future events at Kettering, you will be able to use leftover vouchers at that time.
• Outside food is permitted in both the Rec Center and Learning Commons, but there will NOT be a dedicated place or plugs for your Team to set up your own food service. Sternos or other warming devices are NOT permitted.

Local Eateries

• Einstein Bros Bagels - Chevrolet & University Ave. - 10AM-2PM.
• Jimmy John’s - 810.232.3717 - Delivery 11AM-4PM
• Little Caesars Pizza - 810.767.5585 - Delivery 11AM-10PM

Lodging

As a reminder, this is a multi-day event. If you have not yet secured lodging, it is advised that you do so soon. Options within 5 miles include: 

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc (breakfast & pool)
• Gateway Hotel & Convention Center (pool, no breakfast)
• Holiday Inn Express (breakfast. no pool)
• Hyatt Place (breakfast & pool)
• Comfort Inn (breakfast & pool)

Judging Format

Competition Logbook: 

• In-person interviews will take place at the event. Digital logbooks must be submitted by 5:00 pm Friday May 1, 2026 and will be reviewed before the event weekend. 
• The digital logbook is only shared with event staff, including the Event Partner, Judge Advisor and Judges, and may include the REC Foundation Support Team. Details on this process are given in the Judge Guide Addendum. Physical logbooks will not be accepted at the event.

Awards 

Find award criteria here.  

• All-Around Champion
• Teamwork Mission Champion
• Skills Mission Champion
• Communications Mission Champion
• Coding Award
• Airmanship Award
• Judges Award

LINK to Event

Livestream: TBD