Registration is open!
The Illinois 4-H State Robotics Competition is a statewide STEM event where youth enrolled in 4-H robotics programs come together to design, build, and program robots as teams. Participants demonstrate creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving through a series of robotics challenges.
For 2026, the competition features the ArchaeoBot Challenge, a themed event simulating real-world archaeological fieldwork, as well as an expanded RoboSumo component where robots compete head-to-head.
Event Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Location: Interstate Center at the McLean County Fairgrounds
1106 Interstate Dr., Bloomington, IL
Open to: This event is open to 4-H members and non-members ages 8 to 18 as of September 1, 2025, for the 2025–2026 4-H program year (ending August 31, 2026).
New for 2026: Team members must also register using the same registration as the coaches. Parents will be able to fill out all required forms online. The $20 team fee will only be paid by the coach. Team members will not be charged during registration.
Note: If you are on an ArchaeoBot team, you do not need to pay the RoboSumo registration fee to participate.
How to Register:
ArchaeoBot Challenge Teams
Coaches must register with their name and pay $20 for the team. Please be sure to register separately for RoboSumo if you are doing both.
RoboSumo Teams
If youth are participating in ArchaeoBot, you do not need to pay additionally for RoboSumo.
Registration Deadline: April 3, 2026
Schedule:
- 8- 8:45 am Team check-in
- 8:45 AM Opening
- 9 AM Competition Begins
- 4:30 PM Awards
- 5 PM Head Home
*Time subject to change. Updates will be sent via email to participants.
