VEX IQ Robotics Competition: Mix & Match | 2025-2026 Game Overview

Beyond Code Academy
May 20
4 min read

Beyond VEX IQ Mentorship Program

Game Overview:

Mix and Match is the official game for the 2025–2026 VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Played on a 6' x 8' field, two teams—Red and Blue—collaborate in the main game mode. The objective is to earn points by stacking game elements, known as Pins and Beams, and strategically placing these stacks into designated scoring zones to maximize their value.

VEX IQ Mix & Match Official Video

Game Elements:

Pins: 116 mm tall and 80 mm in diameter. Available in three colors (implied by the scoring rules for mixed-color stacks and goal matching).
Beams: 251 mm long by 124 mm wide by 50 mm tall. Beams are not color-specific and act as "wild cards" in stacking.

Field Setup and Element Placement:

18 Pins and 2 Beams start on the field.
4 additional Pins start on starting posts.
Each robot begins with one Pin of their color as a preload.
12 Pins are reserved for human loaders and can only be introduced into the match by contacting a load zone of the same color.

Scoring Mechanics:

A single game object on its own is worth zero points.
A stack is created when one object is placed on top of another.
Once a stack is created, it is immediately worth points, regardless of location.

Stack Scoring:

Pins: Each connected Pin in a stack is worth one point.
Beams: A connected Beam in a stack is worth 10 points.

Bonus Points (Stack Color Mix):

Stacks consisting of only one color receive no bonus points.
Stacks that are a mix of two colors are awarded five bonus points.
Stacks that are a mix of three colors are awarded 15 bonus points.
"Beams are not color specific rather beams are a wild card and take on any color that is not currently part of their stack." Adding a Beam can increase the number of colors in a stack for bonus purposes. For example, a Beam added to a two-color Pin stack will act as the third color, granting the 15-point bonus.
"Each stack using a beam regardless of its location on the field will also receive the same scoring bonus as a stack of the same size that is placed in a matching goal".

Goal Placement Bonus:

Stacks can be moved into any of the six goals: two triangle goals, two square goals, a floor goal, and a standoff goal.
Each goal has a color that matches one of the three Pin colors.
If the color of the bottom Pin in the stack matches the color of the goal, that stack earns more points. (The exact bonus amount for matching goal colors is not explicitly stated in the excerpt, but the phrasing "earns more points" indicates a bonus).

Standoff Goal Specifics:

The standoff goal is located in the center of the field and allows for "high-scoring stacks" to go "even higher".
An additional 10 points will be awarded for every stack placed on the standoff goal.
A specific example of a high-scoring configuration on the standoff goal is provided: "This configuration including six pins and one beam contains three stacks and is worth 91 points when placed on the standoff goal". This highlights the ability to have multiple stacks within a single structure placed on the standoff goal.

Key Themes and Strategy:

Stacking and Strategy: "mix and match is a game of stacking and strategy where a single object can dramatically alter the score at any time".
Mixed-Color Stacks: Encouraging the creation of stacks with multiple Pin colors is crucial for maximizing points through bonus awards.
Beams as Wild Cards: Utilizing Beams strategically can significantly increase the color bonus of a stack and contribute 10 points directly.
Goal Matching: Placing stacks in goals with matching bottom Pin colors provides an additional scoring opportunity.
Standoff Goal Utilization: The standoff goal is a key strategic element for achieving very high scores, both through placement and the potential for multiple stacks within a single structure.
Loader Integration: The human loader is a vital part of the teamwork challenge, introducing additional game elements.

Ways to Play:

Teamwork Challenge Matches:Two teams collaborate for 60 seconds to maximize their collective score.
Each team consists of two drivers and one loader.
One driver operates the robot for the first half, the other for the second half.
The loader performs their task for the full 60 seconds.
Driving Skills Challenge Matches:Teams have 60 seconds of driver control time to score as many points as possible.
Autonomous Coding Skills Challenge Matches:Teams have 60 seconds of autonomous robot operation to score points.