Getting started
RoboCup is an exciting and structured journey that guides young innovators from local competitions and workshops to the international championship. As students progress through each level, they deepen their skills, connect with like-minded peers, and showcase their robotics knowledge in increasingly competitive settings.
RoboCup is also an international community
Many regions also organize their own local competitions with their own local RoboCupJunior communities. However, as RoboCupJunior expands globally, the RoboCupJunior community also grows. Join this great adventure by:
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joining the RoboCupJunior mailing list
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joining the RoboCupJunior Discord Server
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visiting the RoboCupJunior Forum
Where to begin?
The Ligue de l'Enseignement de la Nouvelle-Aquitaine has compiled, in an educational document (to be downloaded below) aimed at accompanying the first steps towards the various RoboCupJunior competitions.
Even though it is a bit "old" (2023) and it would be prudent to refer to the most recent regulations (refer to the pages specific to each league), it remains a good basis for understanding the requirements and opportunities of this competition.
The Australian RoboCupJunior committee, for its part, has gathered a number of useful resources for a team wishing to embark on the adventure (link below)
To learn more about the competition, leagues and requirements, we offer this excellent presentation of the RoboCup Junior European Open 2024 which will give you a good starting point.
The different "leagues" of the RoboCupJunior
RoboCupJunior offers three main leagues and introductory leagues for beginner teams. You can find more information about the leagues and the registration process on their dedicated pages on the website.
Local competitions and workshops
The RoboCup season begins with local competitions and workshops organized in cities around the world and, in particular, in several major French cities (see our " Organization " page).
Students gain hands-on experience and learn from mentors and their peers. These events aim to familiarize participants with RoboCupJunior leagues while helping them develop fundamental skills in robotics, programming, and teamwork.
National competitions
After local competitions, qualified teams advance to national tournaments, where the level of competition intensifies.
These national events bring together the best teams from several local competitions and encourage students to improve their robots and strategies.
Teams compete to generally secure a qualifying spot in international competitions, adapting and improving their robots to tackle more complex challenges.
In France, the late organization of the national competition prevents its use as a qualifying event; the selection of teams called upon to participate in international competitions is done based on application files (see the dedicated page).
This stage fosters a spirit of collaboration, with teams sharing ideas, learning from each other and building relationships with other robotics enthusiasts in their region.
The organizing committees of several countries accept, under certain conditions, the participation of foreign teams. Refer to the websites dedicated to these events .
"Super-regional" competitions
For teams that qualify at the national level, the next step is the super-regional competitions, which bring together the best teams from larger regions. Currently, RoboCupJunior organizes three super-regional competitions to represent Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.
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European Open
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Americas Open
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Asia-Pacific Open
International competition
The season culminates in the international RoboCup competition, where the best teams from each nation compete. This flagship event of the RoboCup Junior calendar attracts participants from all over the world and provides an international platform to celebrate and showcase young robotics talent.
See you in Korea in 2026!
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Each team has its own unique journey, from humble beginnings at local events to representing its region on the international stage. No matter where you are in the season, RoboCup Junior is an adventure of learning, creativity, and innovation. Join us this season and take the first step toward an unforgettable journey in the world of robotics!