💡 RoboFacts: VEX vs. FIRST
Two Paths, One Goal
Did you know? VEX competitions run year-round with over 1,200 tournaments globally, while FIRST Tech Challenge runs from September through March, that's a huge difference in competition opportunities!
VEX Robotics (our VEX IQ, V5, and AI programs) keeps the action going all season long. Teams compete year-round leading up to the VEX Robotics World Championship, which means more matches, more learning, faster iteration. At Robolabs, we host over a dozen tournaments every season because our VEX community is our largest and most vibrant.
FIRST Robotics (our FLL and FTC programs) packs incredible value into a focused timeframe. FTC runs from October through March, creating an intense, concentrated competition experience. FTC teams get access to industry-grade components and more custom building flexibility, while FLL puts programming and problem-solving front and center with those beautiful LEGO elements.
The bottom line? VEX offers maximum competition exposure with year-round tournaments and rapid feedback loops. FIRST delivers deep, focused experiences with premium components and structured seasons. At Robolabs, our students get the best of both worlds - but our VEX programs dominate because more competition means faster growth and more trophies!
