Sunshine Showdown VEX V5 Robotics Competition™ Signature Event: High School

Welcome to The Sunshine Showdown 2026!

Get ready for the HOTTEST Signature Event of the 2026-2027 VEX V5 Override Season. The Sunshine Showdown High School VEX V5 Robotics Competition™ Signature Event is happening in Orlando, Florida, the tourist capital of the world! This unique event offers 80 of the most amazing teams from around the world to gather at the entrance to Universal Studios to prove who is ready to earn one of three world qualifying awards. It's the perfect opportunity to experience the beautiful weather and sunshine Florida has to offer that time of year!

Website

Learn more about Sunshine Showdown at https://www.sunshineshowdownrobotics.com/

When:

The Sunshine Showdown will be a three day event, December 27-29, providing teams with a great experience formatted similar to the VEX Robotic World Championship.

• Sunday: check-in and inspection, practice fields open, pits open, skills open, judging begins
• Monday: opening ceremony, practice fields open, pits open, skills open, qualification matches, judging continues
• Tuesday: skills open, practice fields open, pits open, qualifying matches continue, judging if needed, alliance selection, elimination matches, awards, closing ceremony

Where:

Partner Hotel:

DoubleTree Hotel, Orlando, Florida: 5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819

Stay to Play Housing Requirements for Sunshine Showdown:

Teams must book their hotel rooms through our partner hotel. We have negotiated the lowest rate and discounted parking fees using our unique link. This helps us keep our registration fees low. Please enter team name and number in the Special Comments section when booking.

Guests are able to make reservations through Hilton Reservations at 1-800-222-TREE (8733) using the special rate code (RC5) or the Hilton Link provided. Booking Link: Sunshine Showdown Robotics Competition Hotel Booking Link

Room Rate if booked by December 5, 2026: $142 (available three days pre/post event dates)

Discounted Overnight Parking: $20 plus tax

Discounted Event Only/Daytime Self Parking: $15 plus tax

At the entrance to Universal Studios Orlando, this modern hotel is a 1-minute drive from Interstate 4 and 18 miles from the Orlando International Airport. Casual rooms feature flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi, as well as coffeemakers and custom-designed beds. Some rooms offer views over Universal Studios. Suites add separate living areas. There are 2 casual American restaurants, along with a breakfast eatery, and a Starbucks. There's also an outdoor pool and a fitness center. The DoubleTree is a Universal Orlando Partner Hotel, a short walk to Universal Orlando CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal’s Island of Adventure. Universal’s Volcano Bay, the Orlando International Premium Outlets, and the Mall at Millenia are within two miles.

Click the link above or check out our website to book your room!

Things to Do While in Orlando:

Add Some Universal Magic to Your Trip!

Sunshine Showdown participants and their families can purchase exclusive discounted Universal Orlando tickets — up to 50% off!
Tickets are valid for both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, with flexible 10-day use windows.

* Learn more and order your tickets HERE!

Event Judging:

Our Judge Advisor is highly qualified and has served in this capacity at worlds and signature events for several years. Our judges are members of the business and educational community from the Central Florida area. They will be conducting interviews Sunday evening, Monday througout the day and Tuesday morning as needed.

Registration Guidelines:

Registration fee is due by September 27, 2026 for teams who register during Priority Registration. Teams registering after that date have two weeks to pay. Teams registering less than two weeks before the registration deadline must pay at time of registration. Any teams that fail to pay the registration within these guidelines will be moved to the waitlist without notification and their spot will be offered to a team on the waitlist. This is necessary due to the need for teams to make travel arrangements.

Food Options:

Lunch will be a 1 hour window. There are many restaurant options in the area as well as within the hotel. Uber Eats is available for delivery to the DoubleTree Hotel.

Live Stream:

Sunshine Showdown will be live-streamed. Check the Webcast Tab as we move closer to event date.

Set Up For Success:

In order to make this the best experience for all teams, please come prepared for the competition.

• Know the rules of the game

• Check the VEX Forum and the Q&A for official rule updates and changes

• Ensure that you have the latest version of the firmware