RUN FOR THE ROBOTS
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Run for the Robots | May 29–30, 2026 | Open to the Public
Join us at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY for an exciting, high-stakes FIRST Tech Challenge international competition featuring top teams from across the U.S. and around the world.
Explore our Futures Pathway zone with college and career opportunities, plus interactive exhibits throughout the venue.
On Friday, May 29, enjoy even more action with a FIRST LEGO League (FLL) competition for 4th-8th grade teams and a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) display featuring multiple 100+ lb robots launching game pieces at high speed.
Free and open to the public*
*Kentucky Horse Park charges $10 per vehicle for park entry.
About the Event
Run for the Robots is an invitational international FIRST Tech Challenge Competition event held at the Alltech Arena in the Kentucky Horse Park. Featuring 70 teams competing in two divisions over three days, this event brings high-caliber robotics competition to the Bluegrass State.
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Standard Gameplay for DECODE
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Standard Judging
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Division level Awards & Playoffs
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Event Playoffs & 2 Event level Awards
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9 Qualification Matches & 1 Practice Match per team​​​
High-Level Schedule
Wednesday
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Industry & Educational Tours
Thursday
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Industry & Educational Tours, pits open (4:00 PM), inspections, & judging
Friday
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Qualification matches, FLL Alliance Cup & FRC demonstration in the North Hall
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Ambassador tours
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Future Pathways zone driven by Toyota and showcasing college and career opportunities in KY
Saturday​
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Qualification matches, alliance selection, and playoffs
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Closing Ceremony
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Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Run for the Robots is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. We are grateful for the companies and organizations that help bring this international robotics event to Kentucky.
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Interested in supporting the event and seeing your organization featured?
Location Details
Run for the Robots will take place at the iconic Kentucky Horse Park, where family-friendly activities and exhibits will be available for all ages.
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The Kentucky Horse Park is a unique attraction that showcases all breeds of horses through daily equine presentations, three outstanding museums, horse drawn tours and carriage rides, an art gallery, horseback riding, pony rides, and special exhibitions. The park hosts the most comprehensive schedule of equestrian events in the country.
The Alltech Arena is a 5,517-seat multi-purpose arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The facility, named for the title sponsor Alltech, opened on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park in July 2009. It was originally constructed for the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
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Check out more, including the history of the Kentucky Horse Park, here!​​
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