The Vex regionals that were combined with FRC events will be separated this coming year, I'm told. So those events will likely be in new venues or at least different dates. FIRST is trying to get FVC regional events tied in with universities, more closely similar to FLL events.
I've also heard that FIRST is planning (hoping?) for something like 35 regionals for this coming season.
I don't know if I'm ready to completely accept that number yet. It takes a LOT of resources, money, and work to ramp up to 35 regionals from last year's pilot 7 regionals. I'm not saying it can't or won't happen, just that this will be a major undertaking which will require a lot of corporate or university sponsorship, and a huge number of new volunteers. Just adding two FRC regionals was a major undertaking last season, imagine adding 28 regionals!!!! I'm sure the number of FVC teams will jump rapidly this year. I can't imagine why every FRC team wouldn't start at least one FVC team.
Hint. Hint.
That all said, I'll bet you FIRSTers on the West Coast will have local FVC regionals this coming year. I'll be surprised if there's still a mileage radius this year, but depending on the number of teams and regionals, there could be a limit of one regional per team like FLL.
Can't wait for Kickoff!