FIRST^® LEGO^® League Explore
2024 FIRST^® Championship Update

Hi Friend,

Coming to you from FIRST^® LEGO^® League Headquarters in Manchester, NH, USA.

Welcome World Festival Teams:

This is the sixth email blast for the FIRST^® LEGO^® League Explore World Festival at the 2024 FIRST^® Championship presented by BAE Systems in Houston, Texas, USA. From April 17-20, teams from around the world will be together in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

If your team recently registered for the event – welcome! If you missed our previous email, you can find it here.    

Please read ALL provided information as it may pertain to your team and/or travel arrangements. 

What's New?

FIRST Championship Conferences
Join us for FREE conferences April 17-19 on a wide variety of topics such as program specific resources, workforce development, school and education implementation, FIRST sponsor content and more!  

Download the 2024 FIRST Championship App to see the full conference schedule. 

Concession Payments at the Grand Ballroom
The equipment at the food kiosks outside of the Grand Ballroom will not be accepting cash this year. Instead, you will have the option to convert USD into a GiveX card. This will be a gift card that can be used to purchase items at the food kiosks.

Staff will be at two kiosks ready to convert USD into GiveX cards, located on the first floor near Main Registration, and the third floor near the Grand Ballroom lobby. If any money is left on your GiveX card at the end of the week, you can get a refund at one of the two kiosks, or save it for next year. 

Important Reminders:

Team Pit Space
Teams may load-in and setup models and their “Team Pit Space” between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, with an optional early bird check-in Wednesday, April 17, 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

The pit is where your team will spend most of its time. It is the area where you can showcase your team, relax between your scheduled events, practice with your robot, and most importantly, get to know other FIRST LEGO League teams from all over the world!

Your team will be assigned to an 8 feet x 8 feet (2.4 meters x 2.4 meters) space which will be your home at the World Festival. Each space will have one standard-sized table and two chairs.

Short pipe and drape will frame the space on three sides, but any decorations you bring must be supported with a structure you bring or create. You may decorate it in a way to showcase your country, state, and/or your unique and fun team identity.

We encourage you to be creative, but please consider the following limitations and restrictions:

🤖 Decorate within your pit space. Also, consider 10 feet (3 meters) as a height limit as well. For safety reasons, your decorations must remain within this space.

🤖 You will have access to 1, 120-volt electrical outlet. We encourage you to bring an extension cord and a power strip for you to plug in multiple devices simultaneously.  

🤖 Please do NOT bring or use helium balloons or open flames. No team should cook or prepare food in the pit area.

Pre-Order Lunches
Pre-order lunches are available at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Lunch on Saturday will happen before the closing ceremonies. In order to ensure we stay on time, we encourage you to make lunch arrangements prior to that morning. Lunch Order Form.

Prayer Rooms
There will be two prayer rooms available for anyone wishing to observe religious practice onsite during event hours. Prayer rooms are located on the 2nd level of the Marriott Marquis Houston in Montgomery rooms A&B.

The Marriott Marquis Houston is attached to the George R. Brown Convention Center and can be accessed from the level 2 skybridge located north of Mezzanine A.

Attendee Registration 
FIRST requires every FIRST Championship attendee to be registered and badged, including adult team mentors, youth team members, parents, family members, chaperones, etc. who are participating in the event.

Event registration grants access to participant-only activities and increases the security of the event. Register your team.

Event Guide and Schedule
Teams are expected to arrive and set up their pits on Thursday, April 18, with an optional early bird check-in Wednesday, April 17, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Coaches' Meeting
The Coaches’ meeting will take place in room 332B from 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to hear about important procedures and timelines, and it gives you the opportunity to ask questions.

You will receive your team’s assigned reviewing time during this time. Don’t miss this important meeting!

Reviewing will take place on Friday, April 19, between 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Download the Event Guide and schedule.

Download the App!
The 2024 FIRST Championship mobile app, sponsored by Bechtel, makes it easy to access all FIRST Championship information such as teams, maps, exhibitor information, and detailed schedules. Download the FIRST Championship App.

We recommend downloading the app before you arrive at the Convention Center, as there will be limited Wi-Fi.

We’re looking forward to seeing you next week! Share your event experience on social media using #FIRSTChamp.

Countdown to FIRST Championship – 7 days!