RoboCupJunior

How to Get Started

Your Journey in Robotics Begins Here

What is RoboCupJunior?

No joysticks. No remote control. RoboCupJunior is an international educational robotics program for school students up to age 19. Teams design, build and program fully autonomous robots to take on soccer, rescue and performance challenges, using any kit or platform they like.

RoboCupJunior is part of RoboCup, an international robotics and AI initiative that has met every year since 1997, each time in a different host city, and is run almost entirely by volunteers. Its grand challenge is that by 2050, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots will beat the human World Cup champions. RoboCupJunior is the educational pathway to that goal: many of today’s students go on to university RoboCup teams, research and engineering careers.

Students start at local events and can progress all the way to the International Competition, held each year alongside RoboCup. This talk from the RoboCupJunior European Open 2024 is a great introduction to the competition and its leagues.

Who Can Take Part?

  • Students up to age 19. For the International Competition, students must be 14 to 19 on 1 July of the competition year. Many regional events welcome younger students too.
  • Teams of 2 to 4 students (up to 5 in OnStage). Schools, clubs and community groups can enter more than one team.
  • A mentor for every team. A teacher, parent or volunteer supports the team and travels with them to events.

The General Rules have the full details.

Choose Your League

RoboCupJunior has three leagues, each with entry-level divisions for teams taking part for the first time. Open a league to see its divisions and where to start.

SoccerAutonomous robots play two-on-two games.
Small round soccer robots with glowing bases play on a green walled field while students watch from the side.

Robots track the ball, navigate the field and work together as a team, with no human control once the game starts.

Divisions

  • 1:1 Entry – one robot per team, a great place to start (available in selected regions).
  • 2:2 Infrared – robots track an infrared-emitting ball; a focus on hardware and mechanical design.
  • 2:2 Vision – robots find the ball with cameras; a focus on image processing and software.

Skills you’ll build

Sensing, motor control, mechanical design, strategy and teamwork between robots.

Soccer league page Soccer resources

RescueRobots find and rescue “victims” in disaster scenarios.
Students and a volunteer with a tablet watch a small yellow robot climb a ramp on a white Rescue Line course.

Rescue challenges are inspired by real search-and-rescue work. Robots must find their way and make decisions on their own.

Divisions

  • Rescue Line – follow a line across tiles and past obstacles to find and rescue victims. Entry divisions are available in many regions.
  • Rescue Maze – explore and map a maze, detecting victims along the way.
  • Rescue Simulation – program virtual robots in the Erebus simulator. No robot hardware needed.

Skills you’ll build

Line following and control, mapping and navigation, sensors and computer vision, and robust decision-making.

Rescue league page Rescue resources

OnStageRobots perform creative routines on stage.
Students perform a fairy-tale story on stage, one dressed as Snow White, with small robots and scenery on a painted mat.

Teams design robots that perform with music, costumes and storytelling, blending engineering with art and communication.

Divisions

  • OnStage Entry – for teams taking part for the first time.
  • OnStage – the main league, judged on the performance and a technical interview.

Skills you’ll build

Creative design, robot interaction and sensing, choreography, storytelling and communication.

OnStage league page OnStage resources

Your First Steps

  1. Find your region. RoboCupJunior has over 40 active regions. Your Regional Representative can tell you about local events, divisions and dates.
  2. Choose a league. Read the league pages above and pick the challenge that excites your team. Most teams start in an entry-level division.
  3. Form your team and choose a robot. Any platform is welcome, from classroom kits to custom builds. Starting a Team covers platforms, costs, practice fields and tutorials.
  4. Find a local event. Ask your Regional Representative, or see RoboCup Events for upcoming competitions.
  5. Join the community. Ask questions and share what you build on the Forum and Discord.
Find Your Regional Representative

RoboCup Worldwide

Use the search and list beside the map to find your region, or see the Regional Representatives and Websites list (Google Drive) has every region and its contact. Is your region not listed yet? We are always looking to welcome new regions. See Bringing RoboCupJunior to a New Region.

The RoboCupJunior Season

The season is a pathway: teams start at local competitions and workshops, move on to their regional qualifying tournament, and the top teams go on to a SuperRegional event and the International Competition.

Qualification and Competitions explains how teams qualify, and how to take part in Open and Invitational events outside your region.

Where to Next?

Starting a Team
Qualification and Competitions
For Educators

Join Our Community

  • Join the RoboCupJunior mailing list to stay up-to-date on news and announcements.
  • Visit the RoboCupJunior Forum to ask questions and find resources from the league committees.
  • Join the RoboCupJunior Community Discord to chat with teams, mentors and organizers.
Mailing List
RoboCupJunior Forum
Join the Community Discord

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