Hi ,

Here's some updates and news from FIRST^® Tech Challenge.

In this week's blast:

🏠 Is your team registered to attend the 2026 FIRST^® Championship?

✅ Submit Your Advancement Preferences!

🤖 A new season is on the horizon.

🏆2026 Digital Animation Award Winners.

💼 FIRST Certified Professional Development!

Is your team registered to attend the 2026 FIRST^® Championship?
All registered teams traveling to the 2026 FIRST^® Championship presented by BAE Systems are required to book their housing accommodations within those designated hotel blocks. FIRST is partnering with travel experts ConferenceDirect and more than 175 Houston-area hotels to secure the best possible block-rates and reserve sufficient inventory for event participants. 

Visit the Championship website for answers to booking questions, area maps, and hotel details.

Submit Your Advancement Preferences!
New this year, advancing teams have the opportunity to choose their next adventure through the Event Preferencing System, and you don’t have to wait for your Regional Championship to tell us which events you’d like to attend!

There are no automatic advancements this season. All advancing teams (including those advancing to the FIRST Championship) must submit event preference lists through the Event Preferencing System.

Read more about this new process.

Event Preferencing occurs in five rounds, and teams are notified of their assigned event based on the preferencing list they submitted at the end of these rounds.

Read more about the next Preferencing Round and the schedule of future Preferencing Rounds.

A new season is on the horizon
Get ready for the 2026-2027 FIRST season theme that will be inspired by nature and powered by innovation. Here’s your first look. 

2026 Digital Animation Award Winners
Congratulations to FIRST Tech Challenge Team 21536 and FIRST^® Robotics Competition Team 5298 on receiving the 2026 Digital Animation Award!

Learn more about these teams' projects!

FIRST Certified Professional Development!
Sign up for our upcoming regional (2-day) or academy (5-day) FIRST Tech Challenge professional development sessions where you'll engage in collaborative, hands-on activities focused on student components and discover new skills.

Join us in Houston ahead of FIRST Championship or at another upcoming in-person, remote, or academy session.

Register now for upcoming In-Person & Remote professional development.