Europe’s largest robotics competition for elementary schools, the VEX IQ Czech Open 2026, was recently held at the prestigious Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín. Now in its eighth year, this event is part of the global VEX IQ Robotics Competition, which brings together thousands of teams from dozens of countries around the world each year.
The goal of the VEX IQ competition is to develop children’s skills in the STE(A)M fields—science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Students design, build, and program their own robots, which they then use to compete in regional and international tournaments.
Thirty-eight teams from nine countries were registered for the VEX IQ Czech Open 2026.
The competition game titled “Mix & Match” tested the contestants’ technical skills, strategic thinking, and teamwork. During the matches, participants had to effectively combine game elements, respond to changing situations, and make the best use of their robots’ capabilities.
One of the most interesting elements of VEX competitions is the Team Challenge, in which two teams that have never met before work together. Together, they must quickly devise a strategy to earn the highest possible score. The competition also included the Robotics Skills Challenge, during which teams first control their robot manually and then demonstrate the capabilities of an autonomously programmed robot.
Interviews with the judges are also an important part of the evaluation. Here, competitors present the design of their robot, explain the strategy they used, and defend their technical solutions.
The VEX IQ Czech Open 2026 once again demonstrated the importance of teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to innovate. The competition thus helps prepare the younger generation for a future shaped by modern technologies and robotics.
Once again this year, the competition was held over two days for the teams’ convenience.
So, how did this year's competition turn out?
Team Challenge – Teamwork
1. st place – teams Resovia Cyber Stars (Polsko) a Resovia Quantum Eagles (Polsko) |
2. st place – teams Robotwarriors (Centrum robotiky Plzeň) a Epic Inventors (Maroko) |
3. st place – teams Robotitans (ZŠ Na Valech, Litoměřice) a Stealers (Finsko) |
Výzva dovedností – Skills
1. st Place – Resovia Quantum Eagles (Polsko) |
2. st Place – Stealers (Finsko) |
3. st Place –Extremely Skilled (Maroko) |
Judges Award
tým Cyberex (ZŠ Pěnčín) – Award for exemplary performance during the interview with the judges, an interesting strategy, and the robot's design
Innovate Award
tým Rob.Corp (ZŠ Na Valech, Litoměřice)
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s winners and look forward to the next competition season, which will once again bring new challenges, innovative robotic solutions, and plenty of inspiring moments.
But this year, it wasn't just about the competition
In collaboration with the Zlín Region, we’ve also put together a wonderful supporting program for the teams. It includes an outdoor movie theater and a picnic at the beautifully restored Čipera Villa, as well as a tour of the FabLab truck in downtown Zlín.
The competition for the 2026–2027 season is subtitled “Level Up.”
You can register for the new competition season at VEX Events
Thank you to the Zlín Region and Tomáš Baťa University—Faculty of Applied Informatics—for their support.
About the VEX IQ Robotics Competition:
The VEX IQ Robotics Competition is an international robotics competition for elementary and middle school students focused on developing STE(A)M skills. Participants design, build, and program robots, which they then use to compete in various challenges focused on technical knowledge, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.