General Info
General Info
Welcome to the 2026-2027 Cross Border Challenge! (3rd Annual)
** NEW LOCATION: Squalicum High - 3773 E McLeod Rd , Bellingham WA 98226 **
Direct any questions to Riley Liddle : [email protected] OR Kai [email protected]
All teams, regardless of HS or MS will be competing together for one set of awards. MS teams will not receive separate awards or state qualification.
Please have ALL your teams go through the inspection list and make sure they are in compliance with these rules BEFORE they come to the event!
This agenda is subject to change depending on day of event conditions.
- Venue
- Squalicum High School
- Address
- 3773 E Mcleod Rd, Bellingham, Washington 98226, United States
- Dates
- December 12, 2026
- Grade Level
- All
- Skills Challenge
- Yes
- Judging Format
- All In-Person Judging
Registration & Logistics
- Event Type
- Open Tournament
- Event Format
- In-Person
- Field Control
- Smart Field Control
- Capacity
- 64
- Spots Open
- 49
- Event Region
- Washington
- Max Registrations per Org
- 12
- Priority Registration Opens
- 3-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Standard Registration Opens
- 17-Oct-2026 12:00 EDT
- Registration Deadline
- 4-Dec-2026 12:00 EST
- Payment Deadline
- 12/5/2026
- Price
- $70.00
Agenda
7:30 Doors Open
8:00 Inspection Open
8:30 Check-in Deadline
8:30 Skills Opportunities Start (open continuously 8:30 – 2:00)
9:00 Opening ceremonies and driver meeting
9:30 Qualification Rounds and Judging Start
9:45 Pizza Orders -- SLICED Pizza of Bellingham Due
1:00 – 1:30 Lunch (skills may or may not open during lunch, check day of comp)
1:30 Qualification Matches Restart
2:00 Skills and Judging End
4:00 Qualifications End
4:15 Alliance Selection
4:45 Elimination Bracket Start
6:30 Awards
Check-In:
PLEASE check-in ALL your teams competing for the day at the registration table as soon as you arrive . Check-in ends at 8:30 SHARP so we can generate the match list. If you are running into travel issues and will not arrive by 8:00 am - call or text 206-920-8245 and I will check your teams in so they will be in the match list. Teams who do not meet the check-in deadline will not be placed in the day
PIZZA Information :
SLICED Pizza in Bellingham will be offering XL CHEESE . PEPPERONI , or PEPPERONI/SAUSAGE as options for pizza for $15 each. We will be accepting CASH OR CARD payments for the pizza orders!
Please have ALL your teams go through the inspection list and make sure they are in compliance BEFORE they come to the event!
Travel Info
Date: 12-Dec-2026 Squalicum High School 3773 E Mcleod Rd Bellingham, Washington 98226 United States Travel Info Cross Border Challenge – Booking Link Cross Border Challenge Dates: 12/11 – 12/13 Rate: $114 + tax for single king and double queen rooms Cutoff Date: 12/4/26 Booking Instructions: To book within either group block, guests have two options: • Book Online: Use the booking link provided under each group’s description above. The link will take guests to the room selection page for the group’s full dates. If guests only need to stay for one night, please just update the check-in and check-out dates, click Search, and the same preferred group rate will apply. Book by Phone: Call our front desk directly at 360-746-6844 and request to book within your preferred group block. The group rates and booking links will remain active until all rooms are reserved or until the designated cutoff dates listed above.
Judging Format
Judging Format • All In-Person Judging - The Team Interviews and Final Engineering Notebook deliberations will be judged in person on the day of the event. • Teams must OPT IN to an interview. Judges will NOT be coming to team tables, rather teams must find time between matches to come to the Judges table for their interview! • Teams must ensure that their Engineering Notebook is submitted by Monday 12/7/2026 by 12pm EST.
Volunteer
Volunteer Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Robotic experience is not required. Contact Riley Liddle (SQHS) or Kai Kane-Ronning (SHS) riley.liddle@bellinghamschools.org Kai.Kane-ronning@bellinghamschools.org
Emergency/Bad-Weather Policy
Emergency/Bad Weather Policy Bad Weather We will be monitoring regional forecasts when considering alterations or cancellations. In case of bad weather conditions or possible cancellations/schedule alterations, updates will be posted on events.vex.com. Please call Riley Liddle @ 206 920 8245 if you have specific questions or concerns. Late Arrival If your team will be late you MUST contact Riley Liddle @ 206 920 8245 by 8:30 am as the match lists are run at 9:00 am. Phone calls are better than texts due to data transfer time lag. Teams will not be included in the schedule after this time.