Hickory Bot Battles

09/06/2026

Sept 11 & 12 combat robot fighting returns to Catawba Science Center as 80 robot participants fight in our 8' bulletproof cage. Friday (11am-6pm) features the smaller bots and 3D printed weight classes, and Saturday (9am-6pm) features the 1lb & 3lb metal bots and bot hockey. Friday admission is $6.50 and Saturday is $9.50, with $3 off with CSC membership. Located in CSC's West Wing, tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance on CSC's website.

09/01/2026

The bots are ready. Are you?

Hickory Bot Battles is coming up, and you’ll want to be there for the action! Watch powerful combat robots go head-to-head in our 8' x 8' bulletproof arena as skilled teams battle it out for the win.

From impressive engineering to intense robot-on-robot action, this is a competition you’ll want to experience!

Get your tickets now and be there when the bots battle!

👉 https://catawbascience.org/events/hbb/

08/27/2026

Bringing friends and family to Hickory for Hickory Bot Battles?!? Enjoy the free music downtown on Friday nights! Consider bringing your own folding chairs.

After Hickory Bot Battles on Saturday night head back downtown for the free outdoor movie, Inside Out! Bring a lawn blanket or folding chairs.

The September 2026 City of Hickory e-newsletter just hit inboxes. Read and subscribe for the latest news, events, and information: https://myhky-6864858.hs-sites.com/city-of-hickory-e-newsletter-september-2026

In this edition:
▪️ Sails Original Music Series Returns
▪️ Community Relations Council Grants
▪️ Kidfest
▪️ Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K and Dog Festival
▪️ September City Snippets
▪️ September Events Calendar

08/26/2026

Can’t wait to see what Winston-Salem robots will smash at this Dash Bash

08/09/2026

Fun new combat robot event in Winston-Salem this fall

07/05/2026

We know it’s hard to register for Hickory Bot Battles (there’s a little waitlist for plastic ants on buildersdb.com now)

HBB will offer one single rumble in the 1 lb plastic ant category for anyone who wants to try a one and done fight.

Designed for members of our Tech Club but open to anyone who has purchased admission on Saturday, this is an easy entry into the arena. The rumble format takes some of the jitters out of face to face competition, and the spirit of the fight is to welcome newcomers.

Competitors must still pass a safety check before 4 pm HBB Saturday. There will be safety signups at the admission desk.

06/03/2026

Registration to fight at Hickory Bot Battles will open on BuildersDb.com on June 27 at 10:00 AM

This year we will require payment the day of registration. This is our best effort to reduce the number of bot spots taken in speculative frenzy.

Registration does usually sell out, but c’mon baby don’t fear the waitlist. Waitlists usually work and we have waitlisted friends and family and even teams that have volunteered countless hours at our Tech Club. We remember one faithful year our own plastic ant got waitlisted, and it worked out.

Keep in mind this year we are moving back to the West Wing of CSC so it’ll be a smaller space than last year. Every few years the dinos take away our space and that’s beyond our control.

05/29/2026

Here is our guess at the North Carolina fight schedule.

This post is based on rumors, guesses and our understanding of tradition. Don't make plans without double checking with the site host.

Plan on Hickory Bot Battles. Fairy and Plastic Ants on Sep 11 and Full Combat Ant, Beetle and Hockey Bots on Sept 12. This event space will be smaller than last year as robots are in the west wing due to dinosaur exhibit in the main building

We've also heard a rumor of a late fall event at UNC-Charlotte, the "Casual Lobby" that will be only for new bots and beginners.

05/18/2026

What an exciting class and a great way to prepare for Hickory Bot Battles at the Catawba Science Center in September

05/17/2026

Great first fights from the graduates of CSC Tech Club