National Championship

FIRST Tech Challenge gives middle and high school students and their adult mentors the opportunity to work and create together to solve a common problem. Teams are challenged to design and build a robot using a kit of parts and within a common set of rules to play a sophisticated field game. The robot game changes every season and is a blast!

FIRST redefines winning by rewarding teams for achievements both on and off the field − excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, Gracious Professionalism®, and outreach efforts are some of the award criteria. Winning is always secondary to the quality of the overall experience

FIRST® Tech Challenge (ages 12-18 / grades 7-12) students work together with their mentors to design and build robots to compete in a dynamic and exciting challenge released every September.

Teams program classroom-scale robots to follow autonomous commands before student drivers take control in two-on-two matches. On and off the field, students develop STEM skills, engage in community outreach, practice engineering innovation, and build confidence to help them succeed.

Starting September 12, 2026, FIRST Tech Challenge teams will amplify the excitement and energy found within the natural world during a new challenge, BIOBUZZ™ presented by RTX.