September 2026 Midwest Robot Rumble

Organizers:

Doug Hepfer :     dhepfer@grandvilleboosters.org


We will be hosting another robot combat event at the Robotics Competition Center in Grandville, MI. The competition will include 1 lb (antweight) and 3 lb (beetleweight) weight classes going head-to-head in enclosed 8’ x 8’ arenas.  We have applied to make this a MRCA qualifier and will update this event as soon as we know.

Tournament Format:  This event will follow MRCA rules, with two modifications. This year MRCA has granted us an exception so that we will only accept robots with an active weapon to compete.  This year we will also allow every builder one 20 minute timeout during the group stage.

Tournament Format: Modified Swiss

Sign Ups: There are open spots for 48 antweight (1 lbs) bots and 30 beetleweight (3 lbs) bots, with a limit of 2 bots per team.  That's 2 robots total, not 2 robots per weight class.

Sign up opens at 10am on Friday, February 27

Date: May 30, 2025 Location: Grandville Robotics Competition Center, 4900 Canal SW, Grandville, MI  49418

Venue: This competition center is the only built-for-purpose robotics competition center in the country.  Ample bleacher seating for spectators, large-scale audience and pit video displays to view the fights, comfortable pits with tables, chairs, and power.

Antweight & Beetleweight Prizes:

  • First Place: RobotRumble Trophy and $100 gift card 
  • Second Place RobotRumble Trophy and $50 gift card 
  • Third Place RobotRumble Trophy and $25 gift card 

Food: Full concessions onsite.

Sponsors: This event is hosted in the Grandville Robotics Competition Center, sponsored by Westwood AI (https://www.westwoodai.com/) 

Arenas: This event will play in four, 8' x 8' arenas, plywood floors with traction paint. A full size arena will be available for testing and grudge matches.

Schedule:

  • 8:00am – Doors Open / Safety Inspections
  • 9:00am – Doors Open for Spectators and fights begin

Entry Fee: $50 per bot.  Entry Fee must be paid 30 days before event or competitor will be dropped from event.  There are no refunds of event fees once paid.

Ruleset: This event will follow MRCA rules, with the two exceptions noted above.

Spectators: Spectators are welcome attend - admission will be free.  Doors open at 9am

  • Under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardian
  • Competitors must register and pay 30 days before the event to ensure competition slots
    • you may bring a robot in case spots open day of
    • you can contact event organizer about last minuite registration requests
    • additional registration will be taken in order of wait list

Live Stream: This event will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheRoboDawgs

Social Links: Please subscribe to TheRoboDawgs YouTube Channel.  Follow events at this competition center on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556070674257

Please email robodawgs@grandvillerobotics.com if you have any questions.

Location: 4900 Canal Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418, USA

Website:

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Begin: 08:00

End: 17:00

Registration: February 27, 2026 - July 30, 2026

Bot Class Registrations
1lb - Antweight 11
3lb - Beetleweight 2