Congratulations Team {{custom.team_number}}!

Your team is invited to the 2026 FIRST^® Championship presented by BAE Systems in Houston, Texas.

Alongside over 330 other FIRST^® Tech Challenge teams from around the world, you will experience a thrilling four-day event that will stay with you for years to come.

Your season has been filled with success, teamwork, and personal growth for each member of your team. FIRST Championship will provide an even larger opportunity for celebration with all FIRST programs.

At FIRST HQ, we recognize the hard work your team has committed to in order to reach this level. Congratulations!

This email contains instructions and information about the event and upcoming deadlines. Please make sure to read all of it carefully and save this email to reference.

🔶 Register and Pay for FIRST Championship.
🔶 Book Housing and Register for Event Badging.
🔶 Airport Details.
🔶 Transportation within the City.
🔶 Virtual Coach/Mentor Meeting.
🔶 Team Portfolio.
🔶 Schedule of Events.

🔶 Register and Pay for FIRST Championship

In order to guarantee your spot for the FIRST Championship, you must visit www.firstinspires.org, log in to the FIRST Dashboard, and pay the $2,500 registration fee from the "Team Events" section.

Please respond to this email within 24 hours to let us know if you accept or decline the invitation to attend the event. Payment is due by end of day, Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

If your team has questions or concerns regarding this fee, please contact FIRST Support as soon as possible.

🔶 Book FIRST Championship Housing and Register for Event Badging

All FIRST Championship competing teams are required to book their housing accommodations with our travel partner, ConferenceDirect in order to participate in the event.

FIRST partners with travel expert ConferenceDirect to bring more than 190 FIRST-reviewed hotels for registered teams to choose from for the 2026 FIRST Championship in Houston. Learn more about FIRST Championship housing. FIRST teams can book housing via this link.

ConferenceDirect is the only approved and official housing provider for the 2026 FIRST Championship event.

Be advised if you receive communications for FIRST event housing from anyone other than ConferenceDirect or FIRST, they are likely fraudulent, and you may be putting your team at risk of not having accommodations for the event. 

🔶 Airport Details

We recommend travel into Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

Your team needs to be onsite and checked-in to the event on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, before 6:00 PM.

🔶 Transportation within the City

The 2026 FIRST Championship will be held in the George R. Brown Convention Center. See more details, maps, and up-to-date information for planning your trip. 

Please note, no transportation is provided to and from the airport, nor to and from the venue. Teams are expected to coordinate their own travel plans.

🔶 Virtual Coach/Mentor Meeting

The recording and slides for the online Coaches webinar for helpful information about the event are available on the FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Website under “Pre-Event Communications” Section.

🔶 Team Portfolio 

If your team wishes to submit a Portfolio for judging, please email a copy to ftcteams@firstinspires.org with the subject line “Championship Portfolio Submission” before Tuesday April 28 at 5:00 PM CDT. Details about the changes to the Judging process at the FIRST Championship are available on the FIRST Blog.

🔶 Schedule of Events

The anticipated schedule is below. View detailed event scheduling information. 

▪️ Wednesday, April 29: Robot Inspection, Practice Matches, Team Check-In. 

▪️ Thursday, April 30: FIRST Tech Challenge Opening Ceremony, Qualification Matches.

▪️ Friday, May 1: Qualification Matches.

▪️ Saturday, May 2: Alliance Selection, Playoff Matches, Award Ceremonies, and Closing Celebration.

This schedule is subject to change. In April, you will receive more team-specific information. When published, public agendas and other announcements will be available on the FIRST Championship website.

🔶 Questions?

Check out our Competition Manual, refer to the Championship information, and read the FIRST Tech Challenge event guide as you prepare for the event.

We strongly recommend that teams (both returning and first timers) read the event guide. Oftentimes, questions that you may have can be answered in the event guide or in our Competition Manual.

Congratulations again. We cannot wait to see your team at the FIRST Championship in Houston!