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FIRST® Championship
April 29 - May 2, 2026

Hosted by FIRST®, FIRST Championship presented by BAE Systems is a culminating, international event for our youth robotics competition season and an annual celebration of STEM for our community. Qualification and advancement to participate in FIRST Championship varies by program. 
View & Download Event Guide
2026 FIRST Championship Logo
2025 FIRST Championship Attendees

World's Largest K-12 Robotics Event

50000 attendees from 66 countries
19000 students
1055 teams
1000 event volunteers
Event & Houston Information

Get Ready for the 2026 FIRST Championship

Coming soon, we'll share more information on what to expect at the 2026 FIRST Championship as you plan your visit, including registration, hotel accommodations, event guidance, and more about our host city of Houston.

Event Badging

FIRST requires every FIRST Championship attendee to be registered and badged. Event registration grants access to participant-only activities and increases the security of the event.

Attendees will receive an invitation to register.

Event Housing

FIRST also partners with ConferenceDirect to bring teams, volunteers, and all attendees more than 175 FIRST-reviewed hotel location options.
Find Your Hotel

Volunteer Opportunities

There's a role for everyone to help make the largest STEM celebration possible. Find your role!
Volunteer With Us

Sponsorship Opportunities

For more information about how to get involved as a 2026 FIRST Championship Sponsor and beyond, please email us at development@firstinspires.org.
Ask about sponsorship opportunities

Media Registration

Review eligibility, guidelines, and registration information for media attending the 2026 FIRST Championship event.

Pre-registration is now open.
Review Eligibility & Register

Conference Sessions & Professional Development

Download the event app to see the full list of complimentary conference sessions and workshops hosted Wednesday through Friday of the event.

Offered on-site, April 27 & 28, FIRST Certified Professional Development sessions are an immersive learning experience designed for teachers, facilitators, coaches, and mentors.
Download event app View Professional Development Sessions

Program Event Details

The 2026 FIRST Championship will bring together more than 1,000 student teams and 50,000 attendees from around the world for the ultimate STEM celebration.
Grades K-8

FIRST® LEGO® League

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge and FIRST® LEGO® League Explore invite 200 teams from around the world to celebrate and showcase their STEM skills.

FIRST LEGO League Explore Addendum FIRST LEGO League Challenge Addendum
Grades 7-12

FIRST® Tech Challenge

336 FIRST® Tech Challenge  teams from around the world unite for an electrifying STEM celebration, competing head-to-head and showcasing their ingenuity on a global stage.

 

FIRST Tech Challenge Event Guide
Grades 9-12

FIRST® Robotics Competition

Coming together to celebrate the season and compete head-to-head, 600 FIRST® Robotics Competition teams from around the globe will attend the 2026 FIRST Championship.

For information on program-specific team eligibility, on-site details, and volunteer roles visit the links below.

Read about Team Eligibility Get Detailed Program Info Find Program Volunteer Info

FIRST Championship Info

View the Event Guide and Accessibility Guide for more information.

Download the event app for full on-site details including conference session, schedules, pit locations, and more.

View & download event guide View & download accessibility guide Download the app

About Houston

Explore Houston

Did you know?

  • Houston is the most diverse city in the United States, with at least 145 languages spoken by its residents
  • Houston was the first major city in the country to elect an openly gay mayor
  • There are 161 human rights organizations in the greater Houston area
  • Houston is home to the second largest concentration of Fortune 1000 companies in the U.S., behind New York City
  • Houston has a young population, with its largest population segment the ~22% of residents aged 5 to 19
  • With over 90 nations represented, Houston is home to the third-largest consular corps in the U.S.

Explore Houston Recommendations

 

Getting around Houston

 A new Metro service is now available between the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Terminal C with non-stop service to the George R. Brown Convention Center for only $4.50 one way. This service is available seven days a week from 5:30am - 8:30pm and runs every 30 minutes. For more information visit RideMETRO.org.  

FIRST Championship Photo Gallery

FIRST Championship AGE Season
FIRST Championship Qualcomm
FIRST Championship crowd
FIRST Championship registration
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Happy students at FIRST Championship
Speaker at FIRST Championship
FIRST Championship 2025
FIRST Championship winner celebration
FIRST Championship crowd and fans FRC
FIRST Championship FTC
FIRST Championship dancing
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