Airborne Robotic Cup
Build. Compete. Soar. Discover STEM with Aerial Robotics this Summer!
Airborne Robotic Cup
Design, Build, and Compete with Robotic Blimps
In an indoor arena, student teams design and program robotic blimps to score goals and defend their zone. Featuring floating goals and multiple balls, this exciting challenge requires skill in both manual piloting and autonomous AI programming. Robotic blimps offer safety, long flight times, and a unique platform for exploring aerodynamics and control.
- Master Key Technologies
- Gain hands-on experience in CAD, 3D printing, basic electronics, programming (including AI), and robotics fundamentals.
- Exciting Tournament Format
- Participate in a 2-month preparation phase followed by an intense 1-day tournament featuring manual control and autonomous AI challenges.
- Unlock Research Opportunities
- Top teams earn the chance for prestigious Summer 2026 high school research internships with professors from George Mason University.
- Expert Guidance & Support
- Benefit from robotics/AI training, professor-led seminars, and dedicated coaching from George Mason University mentors and experienced CYOC coaches.
Competition Schedule
08:00 AM - 08:00 PM, Saturday, August 15, 2026 | EagleBank Arena, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Morning Session — Group A & B
Teams 1–10: Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Elite Eight Championship
08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Team Check-in & Pit Setup — Group A & B teams occupy Pit Areas 1–10
08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Morning Practice Session — main field open for autonomous flight calibration and sensor tuning
08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Opening Remark
09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Game 1 (Group A): Team 1 + Team 2 vs Team 3 + Team 4 (Team 5 standby)
09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Game 2 (Group B): Team 6 + Team 7 vs Team 8 + Team 9 (Team 10 standby)
09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Game 3 (Group A): Team 1 + Team 3 vs Team 4 + Team 5 (Team 2 standby)
09:45 AM - 10:00 AM
Game 4 (Group B): Team 6 + Team 8 vs Team 9 + Team 10 (Team 7 standby)
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Game 5 (Group A): Team 2 + Team 5 vs Team 1 + Team 4 (Team 3 standby)
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Game 6 (Group B): Team 7 + Team 10 vs Team 6 + Team 9 (Team 8 standby)
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Game 7 (Group A): Team 2 + Team 3 vs Team 5 + Team 1 (Team 4 standby)
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Game 8 (Group B): Team 7 + Team 8 vs Team 10 + Team 6 (Team 9 standby)
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Game 9 (Group A): Team 3 + Team 5 vs Team 4 + Team 2 (Team 1 standby)
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Game 10 (Group B): Team 8 + Team 10 vs Team 9 + Team 7 (Team 6 standby)
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Session Awards Ceremony — announce Elite Eight qualifiers A1, A2, B1, B2
11:50 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Session Load-out — morning teams clear Pit Areas 1–10
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch Break (1 Hour)
Afternoon Session — Group C & D
Teams 11–20: Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Elite Eight Championship
01:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Afternoon Team Check-in & Pit Setup — Group C & D teams occupy Pit Areas 1–10
01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Afternoon Practice Session — main field open for Group C & D test flights
01:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Opening Remark
02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Game 1 (Group C): Team 11 + Team 12 vs Team 13 + Team 14 (Team 15 standby)
02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Game 2 (Group D): Team 16 + Team 17 vs Team 18 + Team 19 (Team 20 standby)
02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
Game 3 (Group C): Team 11 + Team 13 vs Team 14 + Team 15 (Team 12 standby)
02:45 PM - 03:00 PM
Game 4 (Group D): Team 16 + Team 18 vs Team 19 + Team 20 (Team 17 standby)
03:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Game 5 (Group C): Team 12 + Team 15 vs Team 11 + Team 14 (Team 13 standby)
03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Game 6 (Group D): Team 17 + Team 20 vs Team 16 + Team 19 (Team 18 standby)
03:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Game 7 (Group C): Team 12 + Team 13 vs Team 15 + Team 11 (Team 14 standby)
03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Game 8 (Group D): Team 17 + Team 18 vs Team 20 + Team 16 (Team 19 standby)
04:00 PM - 04:15 PM
Game 9 (Group C): Team 13 + Team 15 vs Team 14 + Team 12 (Team 11 finishes)
04:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Game 10 (Group D): Team 18 + Team 20 vs Team 19 + Team 17 (Team 16 finishes)
04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Afternoon Session Awards Ceremony — announce Elite Eight qualifiers C1, C2, D1, D2
04:50 PM - 05:00 PM
Afternoon Session Load-out — afternoon teams clear Pit Areas 1–10
Evening — Elite Eight Championship Bracket
2v2 Cross-Alliance Brackets to 1v1 Grand Finale
05:00 PM - 06:15 PM
Elite Eight Strategy, Tech Setup & Dinner
06:15 PM - 06:30 PM
Quarter-Final 1 (2v2): [A1 + C2] vs [D2 + B1]
06:30 PM - 06:45 PM
Quarter-Final 2 (2v2): [B2 + C1] vs [A2 + D1]
06:45 PM - 07:00 PM
Semi-Final (2v2): QF1 Winning Alliance vs QF2 Winning Alliance
07:00 PM - 07:15 PM
3rd Place Match (1v1): Losing semi-final partners battle for the Bronze Trophy
07:15 PM - 07:35 PM
Grand Finale (1v1): Winning semi-final partners face off for the ARC 2026 Championship Title
07:35 PM - 08:00 PM
Closing Ceremony, Trophies & Full-Arena Photo