This article walks you through setting up, running, and scoring a game of Level Up, the 2026-2027 VEX IQ Robotics Competition game, in VEX Classroom Games, then recognizing teams with awards. By the end, you’ll have created a Level Up Teamwork Practice event, run a match, recorded its score, and know where to assign awards.
Setting Up a Level Up Event
From the VEX Classroom Games home page, select VEX IQ under Choose your platform.
Level Up is the 2026-2027 VEX IQ Robotics Competition game, so it is listed under VEX IQ.
Select Explore game on the Level Up – Teamwork Practice card.
Teamwork Practice is for Teamwork Matches, where two teams work together. Robot Skills Practice is for one-robot Skills Matches.
Select Set up this game.
This creates an event, which keeps track of your teams, the match timer, every score you record, and the awards you give.
Enter a name for your event in the Event name field.
Use a name you will recognize later, such as your class period.
Select a Timer direction.
Count down shows the time left in the match and is selected by default. Count up (elapsed time) starts at 0:00 and shows how much time has passed.
Select a Match duration.
An official Level Up Teamwork Match is 1:00, which is selected by default. Choose a longer time if students need more practice.
If needed, change the timer options.
Hide the timer on scoring and class displays keeps the timer off the scorecard and class display. Play timer sounds plays a tone when you select Start and when a countdown ends.
Use the Number of teams slider to select how many teams are playing, from 2 to 32.
A team is a group of at least two students sharing one robot, and each match uses two teams working together as an Alliance.
Enter a name for each team.
You can change team names later with Edit event, until the first score is recorded.
Select Start event.
Your event is saved in this browser, so you can return to it later from My Events on the same device. To learn more, see Using My Events in VEX Classroom Games.
The event opens on the Matches tab.
This is where you choose teams, run the match timer, and score each match.
Running a Match
In a Level Up Teamwork Match, two teams form an Alliance and work together to score as many points as possible. Before each match, place the robots in the starting positions shown in the Level Up Game Manual.
Select the first team under Alliance: Team 1.
The first team plays as the Red team and the second as the Blue team.
Select the second team under Alliance: Team 2.
You decide how teams are paired for each match.
To show the match to the whole class, select Open class display.
The class display opens in a new tab.
Show the class display on a projector or classroom screen.
It shows the teams in the current match, the timer, and the leaderboard, so everyone can follow along. To learn more, see Using the Class Display in VEX Classroom Games.
Select Start to begin the match.
In the VEX IQ Robotics Competition, teams must switch drivers with 25 to 35 seconds left in the match. For more information, see rule <GG11> in the Level Up Game Manual.
Scoring a Match
Score the match on the scorecard below the timer once all Bean Bags and Robots have come to rest. Don't move anything while you count. As you enter what is on the Field, the scorecard adds up the points using these values:
- Each Bean Bag in a Floor Goal: 1 point
- Each Bean Bag on an L1 Goal: 3 points
- Each Bean Bag on an L2 Goal: 6 points
- Each Bean Bag on an L3 Goal: 12 points
- Each yellow Bean Bag on the L4 Goal: 16 points
A Bean Bag only counts if no part of it is touching a Robot. Yellow Bean Bags score in any Goal, while red and blue Bean Bags score only in a Goal of their own color. For all rules and scoring questions, use the current Level Up Game Manual, as it is updated during the season.
Select + or - to enter the number of Bean Bags in the Red Floor and Blue Floor Goals.
Red Goals are on the left of the Field and Blue Goals are on the right. Count only Bean Bags that are entirely inside the Floor Goal.
Enter the number of Bean Bags on the Red L1 and Blue L1 Goals.
Count Bean Bags resting on the Goal’s flat top, including any stacked on other Bean Bags there.
Enter the number of Bean Bags on the Red L2 and Blue L2 Goals.
A Bean Bag that counts on more than one level scores only for the higher level.
Enter the number of Bean Bags on the Red L3 and Blue L3 Goals.
Each Bean Bag on an L3 Goal is worth 12 points.
Enter the number of yellow Bean Bags on the L4 Goal.
Only yellow Bean Bags count on the L4 Goal, and each is worth 16 points.
If the teams ended the match early, enter the seconds left on the timer as the Match Stop Time.
Teams end early by stopping their robots and placing their controllers on the ground. A higher Match Stop Time breaks ties in the standings.
Select Record score.
Both teams on the Alliance receive the score, and the next two teams are selected for you.
To fix a recorded score, select the Score history tab.
It lists every recorded score, with the Alliance, attempt, and points.
Select Edit next to the score you want to fix.
The score opens on the scorecard. Make your changes, then select Update score.
Select the Standings tab to see how teams rank.
Teams are ranked by points, and Runs shows how many matches each team has played.
Assigning Awards
When your event is finished, select the Awards tab to recognize teams.
VEX Classroom Games includes awards such as Teamwork Champions and Perseverance that you can assign, print as certificates, and present to the class. To learn how, see Assigning Awards in VEX Classroom Games.
To teach students about Level Up and competition before they play, see the Competition 101 - VEX IQ Level Up STEM Lab.
For ideas on introducing the game to your class, see Strategies for Introducing a VEX IQ Robotics Competition Game.
To practice Level Up virtually, see Get Started with the VEX IQ Level Up Playground in VEXcode VR.