The 23rd RoboCup German Open 2026 will be held from March 10 to 14, 2026, at the Cologne Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany, bringing together the global robotics community for one of Europe’s most significant RoboCup events. All regional and international Major League teams are warmly invited to participate.
Cologne
Known for its welcoming spirit and dynamic cultural landscape, Cologne offers a rich blend of history, architecture, and innovation. From the towering Cologne Cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — to its vibrant arts scene, walkable old town, and riverside cafés along the Rhine, the city provides an engaging backdrop for both competition and discovery. Visitors can also explore world-class museums, enjoy a lively nightlife, and experience cultural highlights such as the famous Cologne Carnival.
Major League Competitions
Following team setup on March 10, competitions will run from March 11 to 14, 2026, across the following Major League categories:
- RoboCup Humanoid Soccer League
- RoboCup Small Size Soccer League
- RoboCup Rescue Robot League
- RoboCup Industrial Smart Manufacturing League
- RoboCup @Home League
Recent rule updates across all leagues — particularly in Soccer and Smart Manufacturing — will be taken into account during competition play.
Key Deadlines
- January 31, 2026 — Team and participant registration deadline
- February 28, 2026 — Late registration deadline (team members only)
Teams are strongly encouraged to secure accommodation early, as demand is expected to increase significantly closer to the event dates.
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
The RoboCup German Open 2026 will be hosted alongside didacta 2026, Europe’s largest education fair and a leading professional development platform for educators. Featuring more than 700 exhibitors from over 60 countries, didacta will run concurrently in Halls 6–8, with all RoboCup participants granted access to the exhibition.
In parallel, the 2nd German Robotics Conference on AI-powered robotics, organised by the Robotics Institute Germany, will take place from March 11 to 13, 2026, bringing together leading experts in AI-driven robotics research.
RoboCup Junior — German Championship Final
From March 12 to 14, 2026, the final stage of the German RoboCup Junior Championship Germany 2026 will be held as part of the RoboCup German Open. Top teams from nine national qualifying events will compete for national honours. The strongest German Junior teams will earn qualification spots for RoboCup 2026 in South Korea as well as the European RoboCup Junior Competition 2026 in Austria.
Organization Committee
General Chair: Oskar von Stryk
Project Lead: Julian Werner
Spokesperson Major: Alexander Ferrein
Major League 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 League Organizing Committee
Lara Trappmann
Oskar Kirmis
Niko Lockenwitz
Michelle Bialdyga
Christian Häußler
Lena Eickhoff
Stefanie Haupt