How do VEX tournaments work?

In Virginia, tournaments are usually composed of 30-50 teams. Teams go through a series of qualification matches before alliance selections for the elimination rounds. During qualification matches, teams are ranked by the number of wins and losses or "Win Points" (WPs), and number of "Strength of Schedule Points" (SPs), which is the accumulated score of the losing alliance of a team's match. During alliance selections, the top eight teams will become alliance captains and will choose two more teams to join their alliance. If a team that is not an alliance captain declines an invite from any alliance, they will not be able to accept any other invitations, and thus will not be able to participate in the elimination rounds. After alliance selections, teams will play the best of three rounds for the quarterfinal, semifinal and final matches. Each alliance must play all three of their teams within their first two matches.

Throughout the tournament, judges will interview teams for the Excellence and Design awards. For more information about each award, click here.

How do qualifications work?

In order to qualify for the Virginia State Championship, a team must make it to the finals or must win the Excellence or Design Awards during a regional tournament. 

Qualifications for the World Championship vary between states and countries. This year, Virginia will qualify 14 teams for the World Championship. Learn more here.