Another exciting season of Sphero Competitions is here! Whether you're starting fresh or returning for another run, this guide from TEAM Alliance covers everything you need to participate in the 26-27 Season: which program fits your students, what you'll need to get started, how events work, and how to register.
Who Is TEAM Alliance?
TEAM Alliance is a national nonprofit who presents the Sphero Robotics Missions and the Sphero Robotics Competition. Our mission is to work with a community of volunteers to engage students through fun, affordable robotics programs that build confidence in the future workforce.
The team behind TEAM Alliance is made up of former engineers, educators, and volunteers who believe every student, regardless of prior experience, deserves access to hands-on STEM programs. Since 2020, Sphero Competitions have engaged over 8,700 students across 12 countries, with more than 1,600 teams competing globally.
Which Sphero Competition Is Right for Your Students?
Sphero Competitions span all grade levels, and teach students teamwork, critical thinking, and programming skills at every age. There are two main paths to choose from: Sphero Robotics Missions (SRM) for elementary and middle school students, and the Sphero Robotics Competition (SRC) for middle and high school students.
Sphero Robotics Missions (SRM)
Sphero Robotics Missions (SRM) require teams to solve autonomous coding challenges individually. During an event, an evaluator scores their performance against an objective rubric. The focus remains heavily on coding, creativity, and the engineering design process. SRM offers three programs:
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indi Missions: Designed for the U9 division (students under 9), this program is completely screen-free. Working in teams, students use color tiles to program their indi robot. They get to guide indi on fun adventures, craft obstacles and settings, and design a custom world.
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BOLT Missions: Geared toward the U12 division (students under 12), this program provides fun challenges that change every season. Students collaborate on coding their BOLT or BOLT+ robot, making strategic decisions, and grasping basic engineering concepts as they design new environments for the robot to navigate.
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RVR Missions: Built for the U15 division (students under 15), this program combines engineering, coding, and sensor integration. The RVR+ robot requires students to iterate on their past coding and troubleshooting experiences to conquer exciting, theme-based challenges.
Sphero Robotics Competition (SRC)
For those looking for an engaging community with robotics competitions, the Sphero Robotics Competition (SRC) offers dynamic, live action for the U19 (under 19) division. Using Blueprint Robotics™, SRC features a combination of head-to-head matches and Tech Trials.
A SRC team consists of 4-8 students and two robots, each robot created to compliment the other for deeper strategy. In the head-to-head matches, two teams face off on the same field in real time. During Tech Trials, a single team attempts to score the maximum number of points on the field by themselves.
What Do Students Learn?
Every program is Student-Powered, meaning students do all the work. Adults serve as Team Coordinators, not coaches. That distinction matters. Students who design, build, code, and troubleshoot for themselves leave with something that no textbook can deliver: real confidence.
Here's what students develop across all programs:
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Coding skills: From screen-free sequencing with indi to Python programming in RVR and SRC
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Engineering design experience: All programs involve hands-on building and iteration, from utilizing craft supplies to 3D printing
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Teamwork and problem solving: Every team divides the work, tackles challenges collaboratively, and keeps improving
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STEM relevance: Students solve real-world-style problems and see immediate results
What Do You Need To Compete?
Here's your checklist for the 26-27 Season:
1. Identify a Team Coordinator
Any adult can step into this role — no robotics background required. Team Coordinators provide logistical support and help students stay on track. TEAM Alliance supplies all the resources and guidance to fulfill the role.
2. Determine your program and division
Match your students to the right program based on age:
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U9 (indi) — students under 9 as of September 1, 2026
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U12 (BOLT) — students under 12 as of September 1, 2026
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U15 (RVR) — students under 15 as of September 1, 2026
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U19 (SRC) — students 18 and under as of August 31, 2026
3. Gather your equipment
Each program requires specific Sphero hardware:
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indi Missions: 2x indi Student Kits, 1x indi Folding Coding Mat (optional)
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BOLT Missions: 2x BOLT+ robots, 1x Blueprint Snap Sphero Robotics Missions Kit, 1x BOLT+ Maze/Grid Code Mat (optional)
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RVR Missions: 1x RVR+ robot, 1x Blueprint Snap Sphero Robotics Missions Kit, 1x RVR+ Code Mat (optional)
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SRC: 2x Blueprint Robotics Kits, 1x Blueprint Robotics After-School Competition Field (optional), plus season game and field elements (optional)
4. Register at myTEAMevents.org
Team and event registration is handled at myTEAMevents.org. Creating an account also adds you to TEAM Alliance's email list so you'll get updates on events in your area.
Registration fees for the 26-27 Season:
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SRM In-Person: $220/team — includes a Qualifying Event and Championship Event
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SRM Online Submissions: $100/team — includes a qualifying submission and Championship submission
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SRC In-Person: $600/team — includes a Prequalifying Event, Qualifying Event, and Championship Event
If your team doesn't qualify for the Championship Event, your school receives an event credit toward next season.
How Do Events Work?
SRM Formats and Timeline
SRM teams can participate in three formats:
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In-Person Events: Live missions evaluated in person
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Remote Events: Live missions evaluated by remote judges
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Online Submissions: Pre-recorded missions submitted alongside a slide deck
SRM uses two event types: Qualifying Events and Championship Events. Teams must qualify before advancing to a Championship event. Teams with strong mission scores that don't qualify may still earn a spot through Mission Score Ranking.
The 26-27 SRM Season at a Glance
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May 2026: Team Registration opens
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November 2026: Teams begin to meet, strategize, build, code, and practice
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December 2026: Qualifying Events begin
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April–June 2027: Championship Events
SRC Formats and Timeline
SRC teams compete at In-Person Events (Head-to-Head Matches and Tech Trials) or Remote Events (Tech Trials only). The SRC path runs through three event types — Prequalifying Events, Qualifying Events, and Championship Events — in that order.
The 26-27 SRC Season Timeline
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May 2026: Team Registration opens
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November 2026: Prequalifying Events begin
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December 2026: Prequalifying Events continue and Qualifying Events begin
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April–June 2027: Championship Events
Interested in Hosting an Event?
Hosting a TEAM Alliance event is one of the most effective ways to grow a robotics community, and it comes with real benefits. Registration fees, local sponsorships, and concessions make hosting an efficient fundraising opportunity. TEAM Alliance provides support leading up to and including the day of the event to ensure everything runs smoothly. We also provide support packages that include awards, signage, swag, and discounted or free field equipment to ease the financial burden.
Contact support@teamalliance.org to learn more about hosting.
Register Your Team for the 26-27 Season
Head to myTEAMevents.org to register your team. Questions? Reach out to TEAM Alliance directly at support@teamalliance.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students need prior robotics experience to join a Sphero Competition?
No. All Sphero Competitions are designed to be accessible for first-time teams.
Who qualifies to be a Team Coordinator for a Sphero Competition?
Any adult can serve as a Team Coordinator — no coding or robotics background needed. Team Coordinators receive competition manuals, planning resources, and ongoing support throughout the season.
What's the difference between SRM and SRC?
Sphero Robotics Missions (SRM) is a mission-based program for students in grades K–8, where teams work through programming challenges with their robots. The Sphero Robotics Competition (SRC) is a head-to-head competition for students in grades 6–12, featuring live matches. SRM offers Online Submission and In-Person formats; SRC is available In-Person and at Remote Events.
What does the registration fee include?
SRM In-Person registration ($220/team) covers a Qualifying Event and a Championship Event. SRM Online Submission registration ($100/team) covers a qualifying submission and Championship submission. SRC registration ($600/team) covers a Prequalifying Event, a Qualifying Event, and a Championship Event. Schools whose teams don't advance to the Championship receive a partial credit toward the following season.
How do I register my team for the 26-27 Season?
Create an account at myTEAMevents.org, add your organization, and complete your team registration. Your account also subscribes you to TEAM Alliance event updates for your area.
Can my organization host a TEAM Alliance event?
Yes. TEAM Alliance is actively looking for Event Hosts. Hosts receive full training, planning support, volunteer guides, and an Event Host Support Package — plus they keep event registration fees. Contact support@teamalliance.org to get started.
About the Author:
TEAM Alliance is a national nonprofit that presents programs that engage students with fun, approachable robotics programs that build confidence and future workforce-relevant skills. Our mission is to work with a community of volunteers engaging students with fun, affordable robotics programs that build confidence in the future workforce. Our vision is to build and foster a global community where students have a lifelong sense of confidence and excitement in technology.