Global Talent Rises in the 2025-2026 VEX V5 Challenge: Pushback
Top 10 Teams Lead the Charge in High School and Middle School Robotics
The 2025-2026 season of the VEX V5 Robotics Challenge, themed Pushback, is off to a spectacular start as the world’s most talented student robotics teams battle for supremacy. The latest RFORCE Index rankings reveal a thrilling mix of high school and middle school teams representing the cutting edge of STEM innovation and competitive robotics.
Top 10 V5 Teams (September – 2025-2026)
Key Highlights
United States Takes the Lead
The #1 ranked team, Overclock from Flushing, New York, has surged ahead with a commanding RFORCE of 87.57, setting the bar for the entire field.
- The U.S. is represented by four teams, including powerhouse organizations like Pika Pika Robotics (Utah) and Exothermic Robotics (Washington).
China’s Dominance in Depth
China continues to showcase the depth of its robotics programs with five teams in the top 10, including:
- Extropy – currently ranked #2, leading the charge for China.
- Shanghai RuiGuan Robotics, with two teams ranked side-by-side (#7 and #8).
- Emerging talent from Chongqing, represented by Friends High School.
Global Representation
Three countries are featured in the top 10:
- China – 5 teams
- USA – 4 teams
- Australia – 1 team (Barker Redbacks MS, ranked #5)
This diverse representation highlights the international appeal and competitive spirit of the VEX V5 Challenge.
RFORCE Trends:
| Metric | RFORCE |
| Highest | 87.57 |
| Lowest | 60.04 |
| Top 3 Average | 80.64 |
- A 27.53-point spread separates the top-ranked team from the 10th spot, showing a competitive yet clear hierarchy at this stage of the season.
- Positions #6 through #10 are extremely close, with only 6.41 points separating them, indicating likely changes in rankings as the season unfolds.
Grade Level Breakdown
- High School Teams (HS): 8
- Middle School Teams (MS): 2
The competition remains high school dominated, but middle school teams like Rainstorm VEX Team (#3) and Barker Redbacks MS (#5) are proving they can challenge the older students.
Season Outlook
With early tournaments completed and regional events ramping up, the stage is set for dramatic shifts in the rankings. Middle school challengers are poised to disrupt the leaderboard, while powerhouse high school teams continue to refine strategies for Pushback, a game that demands precision, adaptability, and teamwork.
The 2025-2026 season promises intense rivalries, groundbreaking designs, and a thrilling journey toward the VEX Robotics World Championship.
About VEX V5 Challenge
The VEX V5 Challenge is the premier robotics competition for middle and high school students worldwide. Combining advanced engineering principles, coding, and real-world problem-solving, VEX V5 prepares students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Each year introduces a new challenge, pushing teams to innovate and excel on a global stage.
More resources:
Check out the full RFORCE team leaderboards, and all other rankings
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