Hi ,

There was an error in the time listed for the Digital Animation Award deadline in our previous email. Please see the corrected time in the email below.

In this week's blast:

⚙️ Kickoff 
⚙️ Kickoff Kit Pick Up 
⚙️ Digital Animation Award 
⚙️ Official Q&A System 
⚙️ Kickoff Kit Replacement Parts System 
⚙️ FIRST^® Robotics Competition Blog Updates 
⚙️ Setting Goals Resource

Program Updates, Deadlines, & Reminders

Reminder! Watch the FIRST^® Robotics Competition 2026 Season Kickoff January 10, 12:00 p.m. ET on the FIRST Robotics Competition YouTube Channel: Featuring the game reveal of REBUILT™ presented by Haas, a message from FIRST^® CEO Chris Moore, and much more! Sign up for a tune-in reminder or find a local kickoff near you.

Reminder! Kickoff Kit Pick Up: Don’t forget as we get closer to Kickoff to make a plan for who is picking up the Kickoff Kit. The following people are allowed to pick up the Kit:

🔹Lead Coach 1 or 2 for the team with photo ID. 
🔹Any mentor on the team over 18 (you may log in to your FIRST Dashboard as proof) with photo ID.
🔹A person over 18 (other than a lead coach 1 or 2, or mentor, that is already on the team's roster) listed on the Surrogate Kit Pick-up Letter with photo ID. 

Upcoming Deadline! Digital Animation Award sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI): The deadline for the Digital Animation Award is Monday, January 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. View Submission requirements and details. Please note this is an optional award that teams can submit for. 

Opening Soon! Official Q&A System: The FIRST Robotics Competition Question and Answer System opens on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET. 

Kickoff Kit Replacement Parts System: The Kickoff Kit replacement parts system opens Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET and closes Saturday, January 17, at 12:00 p.m. ET. If you are a “MySite” team who received your kit after January 17, please email us at frcparts@firstinspires.org within two (2) business days of receipt of your Kickoff Kit with any missing/damaged items. Read more about this process. 

FIRST Robotics Competition Blog Updates:   

✏️ Head Referee Interaction Pilot 

✏️ Practice Field & Team Element Changes 

✏️ Just A Few Days Until Kickoff! 

Resource of the Week: Kickoff is just a few days away, be sure your team has your team goals set! If you need help, check out the Goal Setting resources that were created with Team 581 & 1678.

Upcoming Important Dates:

⚙️ Saturday, January 10, at 12:00 p.m. ET – 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff
⚙️ Saturday, January 10, at 1:00 p.m. ET - Kickoff Kit of Parts Replacement System Opens, FIRST Choice: Priority Lists Opens, and Virtual Kit Kickoff Release Opens 
⚙️ Monday, January 12, at 11:59 p.m. ET – Digital Animation Award Closes 
⚙️ Wednesday, January 14,at 12:00 p.m. ET – Official Q&A System Opens