Blueprint Robotics™ Sphero Robotics Competition
U19 Division
Design, Build, Code, Drive
Get to Know The Program
The Sphero Robotics Competition is where students design, build, code, and operate their own robots, then put them on the field against other teams. Each team brings up to two robots to a shared field for head-to-head matches, and the top teams move on to the event finals.
The program is built for approachability. Students do not need prior coding or robotics experience to join a team.
What Students Learn
Blueprint Robotics is Student-Powered™: the students do the building, coding, and driving while the coordinator guides them. Meeting Agendas available in the Team Coordinator Guides. Teams can start with no prior robotics background.
- Design, build, code, and operate robots with confidence
- Build up to two robots that complement each other for deeper strategy
- Compete in head-to-head matches against other teams
- Show off coding and robotics skills in Tech Trials, where one team has the field to itself
- Earn a qualifying award at an event to advance to a Championship Event
What Does it cost?
Getting Started
Season registration for an In-Person team is $500 for the 2026-2027 season. It covers entry to multiple events run by volunteer hosts, where teams compete head-to-head. Expect two to four hours a week over eight to ten weeks.
Equipment is a separate cost, and the first year can be the biggest expense because of the initial kits and the optional field purchase. Teams reuse the same robots and field season after season, so later years cost less. For first-year totals side by side with the other programs, compare all four programs.
Registration
Each Blueprint team needs at least one adult Team Coordinator, and the recommended team size is five to ten students. The Team Coordinator registers the team for the season on myTEAMevents.org.
- Recommended: 5 to 10 students (no technical experience needed)
- Required: One or more adult Team Coordinators (no technical background needed)
- Required: Season Registration
Teams compete at In-Person events.
- In-Person: Compete in head-to-head live matches (two teams, same field) and Tech Trials (one team, scoring solo). The season fee covers entry to multiple events.
Equipment and Available Grants
Blueprint Robotics Kits (required, grant eligible)
Every team needs two kits. Through the SRC Matching Team Grant, qualified teams receive $1,299 toward an eligible two-kit purchase, plus free ground shipping on those kits. Your team pays the remaining $1,299.
Learn more about how to apply to the SRC Matching Team Grant.
Competition Field and 26-27 Field Elements (recommended)
We recommend one Blueprint Robotics After-School Competition Field and the Blueprint Robotics After-School Competition 26-27 Field Elements. The matching grant applies only to the two kits and cannot be used for other Sphero purchases.
Check current pricing for all items on Sphero’s Blueprint Robotics competition page.
⚠ Qualifying for the matching grant
To qualify, your team must have a 2026-27 registration that is paid in full or has a Purchase Order in process. Your team also commits to two seasons of competition: attend an In-Person or Live Remote qualifying event in both 2026-27 and 2027-28. If your team can’t compete in both seasons, you must return the kits. The Team Coordinator and students must also complete the requested end-of-season surveys. Click here to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can compete in Blueprint Robotics?
Students who are 18 or younger on August 31, 2026 (born September 1, 2007 or later) can compete in Blueprint Robotics. That usually lines up with grades 7 through 12.
Each team needs at least one adult Team Coordinator, and five to ten students is the recommended team size. Younger students can also look at RVR Missions.
Where are Blueprint Robotics events held?
Blueprint Robotics events are hosted at schools, gyms and event centers. Find a Blueprint Robotics event near you, or host an event at your school.
Can we compete without traveling to an event?
How much does Blueprint Robotics cost, and how much time does it take?
Can our school or organization get more than one grant?
Ready to get started?
From the mechanical design to the coding, the strategy, and the problem solving, the students do the work. A Team Coordinator needs no robotics background and only guides them: the coordinator registers the team, gets everyone to the event, and cheers them on.
The SRC Team Coordinator Guide is in the TEAM Alliance Library.