In this week's blast:
⚙️ Get Ready for Event Preferencing
⚙️ Prepare for Payment Due Date
⚙️ Team Organization Resource of the Week 
⚙️ Other FIRST^® Updates

Program Updates, Deadlines, & Reminders

Get Ready for Event Preferencing: Event Preferencing Round 1 is just two weeks away! Make sure your team is “Event Ready” so you can preference events. To become “Event ready”, a team must have two (2) listed lead coaches who have obtained Youth Protection Program Clearance.

Youth Protection Clearance includes:

• Completion of applicable YPP screening requirements (for teams in the U.S. and Canada).
• Annual FIRST YPP training (available through FIRST^® Training).
• Acknowledgment of FIRST YPP policies.

Prepare for the payment due date: The 2027 registration payment due date is November 17, 2026. Before payment processing opens on September 24, 2026, teams planning to use a sales tax-exempt certificate or purchase order should set up or associate their team with a financial guarantor. We recommend starting that process now from the Team Finances tab of the Dashboard.

Team Organization Resource of the Week: If you haven’t set up your leadership yet or are just starting to think about any changes for the season, the Team Organization Best Practices resource is a great place to start. This resource focuses on a wide range of ideas and best practices for team organization that are beneficial to both new and established teams. It is up to each team to decide what works best for their specific team.

Upcoming Important Dates:

🗓️️ Thursday, September 24 – Kit & Kickoff Registration Opens
🗓️️ Thursday, September 24 – Drive Base & Black Tote Opt Out Opens
��️️ Thursday, September 24 – Round 1 Event Preferencing Opens
🗓️️ Thursday, September 24 – FIRST Storefront Opens 

Other FIRST Updates:

Nominations for the 2027 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program open September 14! Learn more about the program and how you can nominate an educator or school that has made a positive impact on your community. 

Grant: Start a FIRST Tech Challenge team in your community: A limited FIRST Tech Challenge grant opportunity will help you expand FIRST access to more students in your school or community. New FIRST Tech Challenge teams associated with a current FIRST Robotics Competition or FIRST Tech Challenge team can apply for a $175 grant to help cover the cost of one 2026-2027 season registration. Learn more and apply.