TOURNAMENT DAY EXPECTATIONS

We expect everyone—teams, coaches, and spectators—to show excellent sportsmanship at all SoCal Odyssey of the Mind tournaments and events.
Everyone should help keep the tournament running smoothly and on time, so all participants get the attention they deserve from the officials.
Coaches should arrive for check-in and paperwork within the allotted scheduled time. Check-in time will be announced prior to each tournament.
Be at your team’s Long Term and Spontaneous competition sites 20 minutes before your scheduled start time.
Bring completed paperwork (like cost form, style form, team list, OA form, etc.) and have the correct number of copies ready when you arrive at Staging.
Ensure the performance venue floor is left clean (parents and coaches can help once the judges are done speaking with the team)
Help the team clear the venue of props, parents and coaches are permitted to help carry things at the end of the performance.
Be sure to pick up trash and dispose of it properly – we are guests at each of the schools – please make sure we will be welcomed back!
Stay or come back for the Awards Ceremony!

AWARDS

SoCal Odyssey of the Mind gives medals to teams that finish in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in each Problem and Division at Qualifying Tournaments. At the State Tournament, teams that place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd receive medals and team trophies.

Team members must be at the awards ceremony to receive their medals or trophies. If a team is not present at the ceremony, they forfeit their awards.

ADVANCEMENT TO STATE FINALS & WORLD FINALS

Teams advance to the State Finals for SoCal Odyssey of the Mind based on a formula that considers the total number of teams in each problem and division across all qualifying tournaments.
The team’s Volunteer Judges (two per team) must complete an online training session and judge at each tournament (Qualifying Tournament and State Tournament if the team advances) that the team participates in. Teams that do not meet the volunteer judge requirements are not eligible to advance to the next level of competition.
There is no automatic advancement, teams must present a solution and meet all SoCal Odyssey of the Mind requirements to be eligible for advancement.
Advancement to World Finals is decided by Odyssey of the Mind International. For the 2025-26 season, teams that finish in 1st or 2nd place in each problem and division will qualify for World Finals. Teams must meet all SoCal Odyssey of the Mind advancement guidelines in order to advance to World Finals.

SoCal Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament, March 28th, Moreno Valley High School 2026 SoCal State Tournament Schedule