This bank holiday weekend, Magna Science Adventure Centre will be home to FightFest 2024, an action-packed event of robot combat. The event, inspired by the iconic TV show Robot Wars, promises to captivate visitors with seven different shows over the weekend, showcasing intense battles between 39 robots competing for the prestigious European Featherweight Championship.
FightFest 2024, taking place from 24th to 26th August, offers fans the chance to see full-scale replicas of famous Robot Wars characters such as Sgt Bash, Dead Metal and Shunt. The weekend will be packed with activities, including interactive games and exhibitions, making it an unmissable weekend for all ages.
Ed Hodges, co-founder of FightFest, said: “Since we first launched FightFest in 2021, the concept has gone from strength to strength. Our primary goal was always to encourage and inspire youngsters to get excited about careers in robotics and engineering.”
The competition will culminate in a winner-takes-all bout on Monday afternoon, with robots from different weight classes battling it out in the arena. Ensuring a weekend full of chaos and excitement, the event will also feature fiercely contested grudge matches between arch-rival bots with scores to settle.
A panel of expert judges will oversee the battles, including past Robot Wars competitor Alex Mordue, and head of the Fighting Robots Association, Kane Aston. They will be joined by Patrick Faulkner, Lead Innovation Engineer at Accu, a components specialist partnering with FightFest since 2021.
Matt Ogden from Accu added: “The popularity of shows like Robot Wars and Battlebots helped to inspire a generation of engineers, and this year’s show will see roboteers and fans of all ages come together to witness epic battles featuring some of the very best bots in Europe.”
Tickets for FightFest 2024 can be purchased via their website, and include entry to all areas of the Magna Science Adventure Centre for £7.50.
Words: Tayma Elyas & Ruby Deakin