FIRST Unveils New 2026 Season Challenge, REBUILT presented by The Gene Haas Foundation, for FIRST Robotics Competition Teams as part of FIRST AGE presented by Qualcomm season

93,500 Students from around the world, using modern day engineering skills to reimagine the past, will participate in an archaeology-themed robotics competition designed to build collaboration and STEM skills. 

MANCHESTER, N.H., January 10, 2026 -- FIRST^®, a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, today announced the kickoff of the 2026 FIRST^® Robotics Competition season with the new challenge, REBUILT™ presented by Haas (Gene Haas Foundation). Part of the FIRST AGE™ presented by Qualcomm season, REBUILT will challenge FIRST Robotics Competition teams ages 14-18 (grades 9-12) to use their engineering skills to re-imagine the past.

“We are thrilled to continue supporting FIRST as it kicks off this exciting 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition season,” said Kathy Looman, Executive Director, Gene Haas Foundation. “The impact of FIRST on today’s youth is unparalleled. By supporting FIRST and helping students prepare for whatever lies ahead in their lives and careers, The Gene Haas Foundation is proud to play a vital role in shaping the talent and character of tomorrow’s leaders.”

At today’s FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff, teams were shown the REBUILT game field and challenge details for the first time and received the Kickoff Kit, which is made up of motors, batteries, control system components, construction materials, and a mix of additional automation components. Each team receives a Kit of Parts that is supported by more than 65 FIRST suppliers and delivered by FedEx, a longtime FIRST supporter and Strategic Partner.

Working with adult mentors, students have limited time to design, build, program, and test their robots to meet the season’s challenge. Once these young inventors build a robot, their teams will participate in one or more of the 197 global Regional and District events that measure the effectiveness of each robot, the power of collaboration, and students’ determination. Events begin in late February. Use the event search feature on the FIRST website to find an event near you.

“While REBUILT invites young people to reimagine the past, FIRST students are actually building bright futures for themselves through their participation,” said Chris Moore, CEO, FIRST. “Each season, we challenge students to think bigger and bolder. Backed by a supportive community, teams will gain critical skills while living out the ethos of FIRST: Gracious Professionalism^® and Coopertition^®. It’s always inspiring to watch as students bring these FIRST values to life; they are solving real-world problems, uplifting one another, and creating meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.” 

The 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Kickoff was broadcast on the FIRST Robotics Competition YouTube channel and was viewed by more than 100,000 students, mentors, and FIRST supporters from 33 countries around the world. An estimated 93,500 students on more than 3,700 teams are expected to participate in this year’s program. 

By participating in FIRST, students gain confidence to explore the innovation process while learning valuable science, engineering, technology, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Students also learn and apply the FIRST ethos of Gracious Professionalism via a signature set of FIRST Core Values. 

Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. 

To learn more about the REBUILT season and how to participate, visit the FIRST Robotics Competition Game & Season page. 

About FIRST^®  

FIRST^® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. 

An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org. 

About Gene Haas Foundation

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc. to support the needs of the local community, through grants to local charities. Seeing a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees worldwide, the Foundation expanded its mission. By providing scholarship grants, sponsoring individual and team CNC competitions, and partnering with the very best CNC training programs in the world, the Foundation helps expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide. The Gene Haas Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community. In 2025, the Gene Haas Foundation provided more than $36 million in grants, bringing the total since inception to more than $260 million.

Gene Haas' commitment to education is unsurpassed in the industry, with over 5,500 schools world-wide training with Haas CNC technology. He is also the owner of the Haas F1 team, Formula One Racing Team, Windshear Rolling Road windtunnel and owner of Haas Factory NASCAR teams.