World Robot Olympiad is an annual student robotics competition run by the World Robot Olympiad Association through national organizers in more than 95 countries. Teams build and program robots in RoboMission, RoboSports, Future Innovators, or Future Engineers.
The 2026 theme is Robots Meet Culture. Local and national events provide the route to international events, and the 2026 International Final will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Benefits & funding
- Teams gain an in-person robotics challenge, judging, and presentation experience.
- Winning national teams may qualify for an international event; places depend on country allocations and event capacity.
- The central site publishes no uniform participant grant, stipend, travel support, prize amount, or registration fee. Teams should confirm fees and budget for participation with their national organizer.
Eligibility
- Applicants must enter as a team of 2–3 students guided by a coach.
- RoboMission and Future Innovators offer Elementary ages 8–12, Junior ages 11–15, and Senior ages 14–19.
- RoboSports is for ages 11–19; Future Engineers is for ages 14–22.
- Each student may join one team and one category per season.
- Teams register for events through the national organizer in their country; available categories and age groups vary by country.
- The central site states no nationality, residency, gender, degree, or work-experience requirement.
- International Final teams must qualify through their country’s WRO competition.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
8–22 yrs
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Application process
- 1Use the WRO member-country map to identify the national organizer.
- 2Check the organizer’s local categories, age groups, rules, registration dates, and fees.
- 3Form a team of 2–3 eligible students with a coach and select one category.
- 4Register through the national organizer and follow the locally issued rules.
- 5Compete at the regional or national stage; winning teams may be selected for an international event.
Program timeline
International games and rules released
Jan 15, 2026
Country-specific
National registration and competition dates vary
Open Championships in Ontario, California, and Hyderabad
Sep 25, 2026 to Sep 27, 2026
Open Championship in Zagreb
Oct 13, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026
International Final in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Dec 8, 2026 to Dec 10, 2026