Joining a race in VPR is simple once your account is set up. You go to the Races page, open one of the available races, choose an eligible pigeon from your Loft, and enter it into the event. In My Loft Races, you also place your loft location on the map within the allowed circle.
To start racing, you need:
A VPR account
A connected wallet
At least one pigeon in your Loft
Enough POL for paid race entries, if the race is not free
Joining a race
Step 1: Open the Races page
Go to the Races page in the VPR app. There you will see a list of races that are open to join.
Step 2: Choose a race
Open the race you want to join.
Before entering, it is smart to review the race details first. On the race page, you can see key information such as:
starting location
distance
category
fee
date and start time
available slots and existing participants
weather conditions
prize pool details or prize pool breakdown
This helps you decide whether the race fits your pigeon.
Step 3: Select an eligible pigeon from your Loft
After clicking Join race, choose a pigeon from your Loft.
You can only select pigeons that are eligible for that specific race. In practice, that means the pigeon must fit the race requirements, such as the right category and availability.
Remember: Not every pigeon will be a good fit for every race. Distance, weather, health, and your pigeon’s broader race profile all matter when making your choice.
Step 4: Complete the race setup
What happens next depends on the race format.
One Loft Race
In a One Loft Race, all pigeons launch from the same start point and race toward a single destination. After selecting your pigeon, you can enter the race directly.
My Loft Race
In a My Loft Race, you also choose your loft position on the map. The race has a fixed starting location and a set race distance.
On the map, you will see a circle that shows the allowed placement area for that distance. You place your loft somewhere on that circle, and that determines where your pigeon will fly to.
This adds a tactical layer, because weather, terrain, and route conditions can influence performance.
Step 5: Confirm your entry
Once your pigeon is selected, confirm the entry. If the race has an entry fee, that fee is paid when you join. Some races are free, while others use paid entry and create a prize pool through participation fees.
After you join
After entering, your pigeon appears in the participant list for that race. You can also see how many slots are filled and how many places are still open.
If a race is marked Pending, it means the race is still waiting for enough participants to start. All required slots must be filled before the race begins. If a paid race does not start because there are not enough participants, the race fee is returned to your wallet.
Tips before you join
It is worth checking these things before entering a race:
Whether your pigeon is eligible
Whether the distance suits your pigeon
Whether the weather looks favorable
Whether the race is free or paid
How many slots are already filled
What the prize pool or XP reward looks like
Good to know
Joining a race does not end when you log out. If you disconnect or leave the app, the race continues.
Don't forget the fun! You can watch races live once they start.