Dan Kohn's Blog

Editor’s Note: The following is my PERSONAL opinion on the state of K12 Robotics and does not reflect any organization, institution or entity other than myself.

If you have been reading the news from FIRST Robotics and Lego and now VEX and RECF, things are looking VERY uncertain for K-12 robotics teams for the next few years. The rather public breakups of FIRST/Lego and VEX/RECF seem to me to be issues between entities with little regard to the STEM Robotics communities they are supposed to be supporting. Who looses in all this….the kids who would have “gotten the bug” for robotics, programming, engineering and STEM in general.

All the organizations mentioned thus far should be ashamed of themselves for thinking about profit, prestige and numbers before thinking about the kids the programs were meant to help.

Teachers and coaches have a hard enough time forming teams, getting money and supplies for the teams and organizing travel to events without having to wonder “what is _____ competition going to look like next year”

I will be keeping an eye out for news on where things are heading, but for now, just like the teachers in K12, all I can do is to wait and see what happens. Who knows, we might just have to create a local competitions that will allow any platform (VEX, Lego, Etc) and use ordinary objects that can be easily found as game pieces (so they do not have to be purchased) and cut the big K12 robotics organizers out of the picture all together!

May 11, 2026

Dear Teams,

Effective immediately, the official platform for all VEX Robotics event registration, team management, and competition administration is:

https://events.vex.com

While the web address has changed, this is still the familiar registration platform and experience you have used for years, now operating under the new VEX Robotics Events domain. Your event history, team data, and workflows are all intact. Please bookmark the new address and use it for all event activity going forward. It will serve as your primary hub for team registration, event management, and competition administration. Our team is standing by to assist with anything you need.

You may also be aware that RobotEvents.com, the platform previously used for VEX competition registration, is now redirecting to an RECF registration site. That redirect was not authorized by VEX Robotics. Please do not attempt to login with any previously used credentials, register teams or events, or submit any payments through RobotEvents.com or any RECF-controlled site. events.vex.com is the only authorized platform for VEX competition registration and administration.

Second, you may have seen a statement from RECF claiming that its VEX Robotics competition season will open June 1, 2026. We want to be unambiguous: that claim has no basis. RECF is not authorized by VEX Robotics to organize, administer, sanction, or represent VEX Robotics competitions in any capacity. Any event organized by RECF using VEX branding, VEX rules, or VEX game content is unauthorized. Participation in such events will not qualify teams for the VEX Robotics World Championship. The only path to the VEX Robotics World Championship runs through events sanctioned by VEX Robotics and administered in coordination with the Global Robotics and Science Foundation.

We have already heard from many of you, and we are grateful for your patience and your questions. To address what we are hearing most:

Your events are not in jeopardy. Signature Events, State and Regional Championships, leagues, and local tournaments will all continue. Your authorizations carry forward. If you are in active planning for an upcoming season event, keep going. We will be in direct contact with specifics shortly.

You will have a dedicated point of contact. Regional support is a priority for us and for the Global Robotics and Science Foundation. We will be communicating direct contact information to you very soon.

We recognize this situation creates noise and uncertainty that you should not have to deal with. Whatever dispute exists between VEX Robotics and RECF is ours to resolve, not yours. Our commitment to you is straightforward: we will not allow any of it to disrupt your events, your teams, or the students you serve. That mission does not pause.

Thank you for your patience, your trust, and your continued leadership in the VEX Robotics community. We are grateful for every one of you.

If you have any questions about these changes, please send an email to info@global-robotics.org.

Tony Norman and Bob Mimlitch

Co-Founders, VEX Robotics

May 10, 2026

Thank you for the extraordinary role you play in delivering VEX Robotics competitions for students, coaches, schools, volunteers, and communities worldwide. Event Partners are the foundation of the VEX Robotics ecosystem, and we are genuinely grateful for your leadership, time, and commitment.

We are writing with an important update. VEX Robotics has ended its relationship with the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation (RECF). Going forward, VEX Robotics competitions will be administered by VEX Robotics in coordination with Global Robotics and Science Foundation (“Global Robotics”), a nonprofit organization established to support, strengthen, and grow the VEX Robotics competition ecosystem globally.

We are pleased to share that Vince Bertram will serve as President of Global Robotics. Vince brings deep experience in education leadership and nonprofit management. His immediate focus will be listening to and supporting Event Partners, ensuring full operational continuity, and helping scale the reach and impact of VEX Robotics programs worldwide.

We want to be direct with you about what this means and what you can expect.

All currently scheduled VEX Robotics events should proceed as normal. Your event authorization, registration, and access to official VEX Robotics systems, rules, and materials remains fully in place. Nothing about your relationship with VEX Robotics changes.

Beyond continuity, this transition marks a genuine reinvestment in Event Partners. Here is what we are committed to delivering:

• A return of Event Partner grants and incentives to help support local events, equipment, volunteers, and growth opportunities.
• Continued improvements to Tournament Manager and event technology, with a focus on making event setup, registration, scoring, and operations easier and more reliable for Event Partners.
• Dedicated Event Partner support before, during, and after events through specialized regional support staff, remote troubleshooting, and expanded event-day assistance.
• A stronger Event Partner voice in the future of competitions through direct feedback channels and ongoing communication with VEX Robotics and Global Robotics leadership.
• Recognition that Event Partners are the foundation of this program and that retaining exceptional events and positive team experiences is one of our highest priorities.

We also want to be clear on one important point. VEX Robotics competitions are proprietary programs of VEX Robotics and may only be operated, authorized, or represented through VEX Robotics or Global Robotics. RECF is no longer authorized to organize, administer, sanction, or represent VEX Robotics competitions in any capacity. If you receive any communications from RECF regarding VEX Robotics event authorization, sanctioning, or program administration, please disregard them and contact us directly.

We will follow this letter shortly with direct contact information for your point of contact at Global Robotics and VEX Robotics. In the meantime, please continue with your current planning and operations. If you have any questions at all, please reach out and we will respond promptly.

For Event Partners who were planning to attend an Event Partner Summit in St. Louis, please be aware that VEX Robotics and Global Robotics will be hosting the official Event Partner Summit for the upcoming season. Details on timing, location, and registration will follow shortly in a separate communication directed specifically to you.

We are grateful for your partnership and excited about what this next chapter means for VEX Robotics competitions and the students and communities you serve. Thank you for everything you do.

Kindest regards,

Tony Norman and Bob Mimlitch

Co-Founders VEX Robotics

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AivGMmmVJ/

For nearly twenty years, the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) has worked in close partnership with VEX Robotics to build a strong foundation for STEM education and competitive robotics.

We are incredibly proud of what has been accomplished together and the impact this work has had on students, educators, and communities around the world.

As we look ahead, RECF is entering an exciting new phase—one that reflects a broader, more independent, and diversified approach to serving our community.

At our core, we believe that robotics, drones, and workforce development opportunities should be accessible, inclusive, and responsive to a rapidly evolving landscape. As educational technologies continue to expand, we are committed to supporting a wider range of pathways and solutions that best serve learners and educators—including:

-Continued engagement with VEX Robotics products
-3D printing options for robotics and drones
-Expanded hardware choices for robotics and drones
-School and non-profit focused competitions
-Event Partner grants

To our students, partners, and volunteers: you are the foundation of this work. Your passion, creativity, and commitment continue to inspire us, and we are excited to build what comes next—together.

The RECF’s VEX Robotics competition season will open June 1, 2026. Please stay tuned for updates on RECF.org, the RECF Library, and emails from your RECF Regional Support Manager. Thank you for your ongoing support as we move into this next chapter. We look forward to sharing more soon.

https://www.vexforum.com/t/rec-foundation-no-longer-runs-vex-events/146301

I have not been able to verify this email independently, but will post further when I can verify.