Hi Team Number,

Congratulations on qualifying for this amazing, life-changing event; we are so glad your team is joining us! In this weekly blast we include important updates and reminders regarding the 2025 FIRST^® Championship presented by BAE Systems.

To start, we have compiled information specific to FIRST^® Robotics Competition on the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Information page including information on queuing, practice fields, layouts, schedule, and more! We’ll post updates often, so check back periodically for new information.

Teams can also check out the FIRST Championship Website for information that is applicable to all programs and attendees for information that is applicable to all attendees such as information about badging, Conferences, Innovation Faire, and more!

FIRST^® Championship Housing and Badge Registration:

REMINDER! The deadline to book hotel accommodation with Conference Direct is 6:00 p.m. ET Tuesday, April 8. Please note that FIRST requires all teams competing at FIRST Championship to book housing within designated hotel blocks to compete at the event.  

FIRST has partnered with ConferenceDirect to offer over 200 pre-approved hotels, ensuring accessibility and availability for all qualified teams. All team members attending must participate in the hotel program and be listed on the team's rooming / badging registration list prior to the start of the competition. Teams will receive an invitation from ConferenceDirect (info@cvent.com) to begin the housing and badging process. Teams can review additional housing information including a list of hotels available on the FIRST Championship webpage.

IMPORTANT: You will be responsible for any cancellation fees incurred per hotel policies.

Robot Shipping:

Teams that have registered will receive an email from frclogistics@firstinspires.org with instructions to indicate whether the team will hand carry or ship the robot crate with the FedEx voucher. Information about shipping the robot to FIRST Championship and deadlines can be found on the Robot Transportation page. For information about shipping multiple robots and pit supplies with a 53’ trailer, and the Championship Load In and Load Out guides, please review this FIRST Robotics Competition Blog.

Teams Outside the U.S. and Canada: The shipping window for teams outside of U.S. and Canada has closed and you will have to hand-carry your robot to Championship.

Have questions about shipping your robot to FIRST Championship? Please send an email to frclogistics@firstinspires.org.

Team Load-In:

All teams must follow the Load-In process as outlined in the Team Load-In Instructions in order to bring materials into the Pits from their vehicles. Check out the Logistics section on the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Information page for more details on both Load-In & Load-Out. As a reminder, only 6 team members are allowed in until pits open to everyone at 2:00 p.m. and two of the members must be adults.

Early Team Load-In & Badge Printing:

All Early Load-In teams must check in at the early check-in desk in the lobby to obtain wristbands to enter the pits.

Teams who need to print name badges at the Team Check In desk or need to send members to the loading dock from the lobby may also check in at the early check-in desk to obtain a different colored wristband to allow them access. These teams will not be allowed in the pits until 9:00 a.m.

Check out the Logistics section on the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Information page for more details.

Accessible Seating: 

Accessible seating is available for all fields. If your team needs accessible seating, please indicate this when you register for badging to help us with planning. There will be space by the field for the person in need plus up to three (3) additional team members.

Please see a volunteer for directions to seating. Due to space constraints, most of the team will need to sit in the reserved area in the stands behind the accessible seating and accessible seating is limited during Einstein. See the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship Information page for more details.

Volunteer Opportunities:

To volunteer, Apply today! Please note that all volunteers must be 15+ and some roles have other requirements. Anyone who would like to volunteer and has not applied by April 8th, can still volunteer as a walk-on volunteer at the event. Volunteers interested can go to the registration desk on site to sign up to be a Walk-On Volunteer.

Students can also consider becoming a Student Ambassador! Time commitment for the role is a two-hour tour shift plus training. To sign up, use the link above and select Student Ambassador. If you have any questions, please send an email to studentambassador@firstinspires.org.