Experience the extraordinary

FIRST^® Championship
Media

We welcome professional media and communications individuals to the 2026 FIRST^® Championship presented by BAE Systems. Any approved media must adhere to the FIRST Media Guidelines. 

Review Media Guidelines Pre-Register

Media Registration Details

Eligibility
Media Eligibility

To receive media credentials, individuals must be 18 years of age or older and one of the following:

Production companies;

Credentialed/bona fide news media representatives and bloggers*;

Freelance writers and photographers who present a letter of assignment from an official news media outlet (other freelancers will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis);

FIRST Sponsors:

Founding Sponsors: max. two (2) passes per organization

Strategic Partners: max. three (3) passes per organization

Championship Sponsors: max. three (3) passes per organization

Other FIRST Event Sponsors: max. one (1) pass available per event sponsored, limit three (3) per organization

FIRST Program Delivery Partner: max one (1) per region

FIRST Suppliers: max. two (2) passes per Supplier company

FIRST Alliances: max. two (2) passes per Alliance organization

*Online publications: Must be a previously established, independent site that is regularly updated with original and current broadcast or media-related news. Personal blogs, forums, and user groups will not be considered for media registration.
Consent & Coverage
Important Consent Information & Coverage Conditions

We welcome professional media and communications individuals who meet the eligibility requirements to capture images/footage at our events for the purposes of promoting FIRST under the following conditions:

Images/footage obtained at FIRST events may not be sold (as prints or online).

Images/footage obtained at FIRST events may not be used for commercial gain or the advertisement of any commercial product.

The names of minors may not be published with their images without specific permission from a parent or guardian.

NOTE: FIRST cannot guarantee that every attendee has consented to your use of their likeness. User assumes any risk/responsibility of using images/footage obtained at the event. If you plan to capture images/footage at a FIRST event, we recommend you use your own consent form.
Pre-registration

Pre-registration

For speed and convenience on-site, we recommend that professional, bona fide media and PR/communications individuals pre-register online.

Pre-registration will open Monday, February 2.

Please complete the online application for media credentials. Your registration will receive a pending status until reviewed by a FIRST representative. If follow up information is needed, a representative will reach out to the email provided.

Media Badges are non-transferable. If you are unable to attend the event, any new media from your organization must complete the media registration process.
On-site Registration
On-site Registration

On-site Registration

We will accept walk-in registrations during event hours at the main registration area, level 1 of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston.

Please be prepared to present a photo ID plus at least one of the following when registering onsite:

Officially issued, non-expired press credentials;

A business card with your name, title, and media outlet (press) or company/organization name (Sponsors/Suppliers/Alliances);

A letter of assignment from editor/producer of an approved media outlet (photocopies not accepted);

Current publication masthead with your name and title;

News article published within the past six months with your byline.

After receiving your Media Badge on site, you are required to also check-in at the FIRST Media Center on level 2.
Team Media

Team Media

Individuals associated with one or multiple FIRST^® Robotics Competition or FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams (students, coaches/mentors, alumni, family members, team sponsors) must use the Team Media credentials provided to each team in their team registration packet.

Media Eligibility

To receive media credentials, individuals must be 18 years of age or older and one of the following:

Production companies;
Credentialed/bona fide news media representatives and bloggers*;
Freelance writers and photographers who present a letter of assignment from an official news media outlet (other freelancers will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis);
FIRST Sponsors:
- Founding Sponsors: max. two (2) passes per organization
- Strategic Partners: max. three (3) passes per organization
- Championship Sponsors: max. three (3) passes per organization
- Other FIRST Event Sponsors: max. one (1) pass available per event sponsored, limit three (3) per organization
FIRST Program Delivery Partner: max one (1) per region
FIRST Suppliers: max. two (2) passes per Supplier company
FIRST Alliances: max. two (2) passes per Alliance organization

*Online publications: Must be a previously established, independent site that is regularly updated with original and current broadcast or media-related news. Personal blogs, forums, and user groups will not be considered for media registration.

Important Consent Information & Coverage Conditions

We welcome professional media and communications individuals who meet the eligibility requirements to capture images/footage at our events for the purposes of promoting FIRST under the following conditions:

Images/footage obtained at FIRST events may not be sold (as prints or online).
Images/footage obtained at FIRST events may not be used for commercial gain or the advertisement of any commercial product.
The names of minors may not be published with their images without specific permission from a parent or guardian.

NOTE: FIRST cannot guarantee that every attendee has consented to your use of their likeness. User assumes any risk/responsibility of using images/footage obtained at the event. If you plan to capture images/footage at a FIRST event, we recommend you use your own consent form.

Pre-registration

For speed and convenience on-site, we recommend that professional, bona fide media and PR/communications individuals pre-register online.

Pre-registration will open Monday, February 2.

Please complete the online application for media credentials. Your registration will receive a pending status until reviewed by a FIRST representative. If follow up information is needed, a representative will reach out to the email provided.

Media Badges are non-transferable. If you are unable to attend the event, any new media from your organization must complete the media registration process.

On-site Registration

On-site Registration

We will accept walk-in registrations during event hours at the main registration area, level 1 of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston.

Please be prepared to present a photo ID plus at least one of the following when registering onsite:

Officially issued, non-expired press credentials;
A business card with your name, title, and media outlet (press) or company/organization name (Sponsors/Suppliers/Alliances);
A letter of assignment from editor/producer of an approved media outlet (photocopies not accepted);
Current publication masthead with your name and title;
News article published within the past six months with your byline.

After receiving your Media Badge on site, you are required to also check-in at the FIRST Media Center on level 2.

Team Media

Individuals associated with one or multiple FIRST^® Robotics Competition or FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams (students, coaches/mentors, alumni, family members, team sponsors) must use the Team Media credentials provided to each team in their team registration packet.

2026 FIRST Media Center Hours

Media are required to check in at the Media Center after receiving their Media Badges at the Registration Desk on Floor 1. The FIRST Media Center is located in suite 211 on level 2 of the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Registered, attending media will have access to marketing materials, safety glasses, a digital press kit, and complimentary Wi-Fi and work spaces within the Media Center.