RoboCup German Open 2026: Call for Participation
07 Jan 2026
The 23rd RoboCup German Open 2026 will take place from March 10 to 14, 2026, at the Cologne Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany, bringing together the international robotics community for one of Europe’s most important RoboCup events. Every regional and international Major League team is warmly invited to participate.
Cologne
With its welcoming atmosphere, Cologne offers a vibrant blend of culture, history, architecture, and innovation. From the iconic Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to its lively art scene, walkable old town, and cafés along the Rhine River, the city provides a dynamic setting for both competition and exploration. Visitors can enjoy world-class museums, a rich nightlife, and cultural celebrations such as the famous Cologne Carnival.
Major Leagues Competitions
After team setup on March 10, competitions will run from March 11 to 14, 2026, in the following Major Leagues:
RoboCup Humanoid Soccer League
RoboCup Soccer Small Size League
RoboCup Rescue Robot League
RoboCup Industrial Smart Manufacturing League
RoboCup@Home League
The most recent rule developments across all leagues, especially in Soccer and Smart Manufacturing, will be considered during the competitions.
Registration Information
Major teams must register via:
Key deadlines:
January 31, 2026 — Team and team member registration deadline
February 28, 2026 — Late registration deadline (team members only)
Teams are strongly advised to arrange accommodation early, as prices are expected to rise closer to the event.
Important Dates
December 1, 2025 — Early registration opens (Major teams)
January 31, 2026 — Registration deadline
February 28, 2026 — Late registration (team members only)
March 10, 2026 — Team setup day
March 11–14, 2026 — Competition days
March 14, 2026 — Major and Junior finals
The event will be open to the public daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Co-Located Events
RoboCup German Open 2026 will be embedded within didacta 2026, Europe’s largest education fair and leading professional development event for teachers. With over 700 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, didacta will be held alongside RoboCup in Halls 6–8. All RoboCup participants will receive access to didacta.
In parallel, the 2nd German Robotics Conference on AI-powered robotics, organized by the Robotics Institute Germany, will take place from March 11 to 13, 2026, bringing together leading researchers in AI-based robotics.
RoboCup Junior — German Championship Final
From March 12 to 14, 2026, the final event of the German RoboCupJunior Championship will be held as part of the RoboCup German Open. The top teams from nine national qualifying tournaments will compete. The best German Junior teams will qualify for RoboCup 2026 in South Korea and the European RoboCupJunior Competition 2026 in Austria.
Organization Committee
General Chair: Oskar von Stryk
Project Lead: Julian Werner
Spokesperson Major: Alexander Ferrein
Major Leagues Organizing Committee
Heinrich Mellmann — Humanoid Soccer League
Nicolai Ommer — Small Size League
Johannes Pellenz, Stefan May, Thomas Sander — Rescue Robot League & RMRC
Sven Wachsmuth — @Home League
Alexander Ferrein, Christoph Steup — Smart Manufacturing League
Junior Leagues Organizing Committee
Lara Trappmann
Oskar Kirmis
Niko Lockenwitz
Michelle Bialdyga
Christian Häußler
Lena Eickhoff
Stefanie Haupt
More information:
See you at the 23rd RoboCup German Open 2026!