RSL at the Armory in February
Organizers:
Robot Smashing League : robotsmashingleague@gmail.com
We are excited to host another MRCA qualifying combat robot competition at the National Guard Armory in Hastings, MN! This event will feature the following weight classes:
- 1lb Plastic Antweight
- 1lb Antweight
- 3lb Beetleweight
All matches will take place in enclosed arenas to keep the action safe but exciting.
Sign UpsWe will not have caps for sign up for this event. However, to ensure we have enough space planned we will not exceed 120 robots.
Sign ups open January 8th at 10 AM CST
Event Details
- Date: February 21, 2026
- Location: Hastings National Guard Armory – 3050 MN-316, Hastings, MN 55033
- Venue: Plenty of pit space with provided tables and chairs. TVs will be available to watch fights live.
- Group Stage: 3 rounds
- Advancement: Robots with a 2–1 record or better move on to the Single-Elimination Bracket
Dropping from the Event
- You may withdraw during the group stage without a forfeit as long as you drop before the next round is published
- If you drop in time, you’ll simply be removed from the event
After Group Stage
- We will start Single Elimination Brackets for each weight class.
- Once all 3 group rounds are complete, open matchmaking will be available
After the Group Stage, we’ll open up for matchmaking. How this will work:
- Matches are will start with an organized queuing period.
- Inform the Queue Manager when you are ready to be added for matchups
- Robots are paired against opponents close to their current rank for fair and exciting matches. (For Plastic Ants, this will be random match ups)
- Rankings are based on MRCA Elo
- Robots without an MRCA ranking will start at 1500
- Rankings are updated throughout the day
- Once a match is assigned, it must be fought - withdrawing from an assigned match counts as a forfeit
-
Queue limits per driver:
- Only one robot per weight class may be queued at a time. For example: One antweight and one beetleweight may be queued simultaneously, for a single driver.
- If you have multiple robots in the same weight class, only one may be queued until its match is completed
-
Matchmaking Fees & Eligibility
- Open matchmaking is included with event registration — there is no additional fee
- Any robot registered for the event may enter matchmaking at any point, including after Group Stage or in the middle of Single Elimination
If you have further questions, please email robotsmashingleague@gmail.com.
Plastic Ant Prizes
- We’ll have trophies for First, Second and Third Place.
- We’ll have trophies for First, Second and Third Place.
Food
- Minne’s on Glenwood – Sliders, Chicago Dogs, Street Polish
- El Huarache Food Truck – Variety of authentic Mexican options
Sponsors
BAIS219 Laser and Machining Services is once again providing the trophies for this event. They specialize in custom machining solutions for one-of-a-kind projects.
Arena Specs
- Beetleweight Arena: 8’ x 8’, painted plywood floor
- Antweight Arena: 6’ x 6’, painted plywood floor
Schedule
- 8:00 AM – Doors Open for Competitors and Safety Opens
- 9:45 AM - Drivers’ Meeting
- 10:00 AM – Spectators Welcome / Group Stage Fights Begin
- 2:00 PM - Matchmaking Opens & Single Elimination Brackets Start
Entry Fees
- First entry per driver: $35
- Additional entries: $25
- Youth competitors: $25 per entry (flat rate)
You can pay ahead of time via Paypal or Venmo. Just include the name of your bot in the notes. Otherwise feel free to pay day of.
Ruleset
- This event will follow MRCA rules and building requirements for Ants & Beetles. For Plastic Ants the SPARC construction rules will apply.
Spectators and Volunteers
- Spectators: Free entry, doors open at 10 AM
- Live Stream: The event will NOT be fully broadcasted live. We will start a live stream around 2:00 for the single elimination bracket.
- Volunteers: Email robotsmashingleague@gmail.com if interested
Stay Connected
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for livestreams and videos after the event
- Email robotsmashingleague@gmail.com with any questions