FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Events

 

New in the 2024-2025 season FIRST Tech Challenge announced a new Premier Event advancement type.

Premier Events are capstone events specifically focused on celebrating FIRST Tech Challenge teams. Teams earn advancement to Premier Events the same way as they earn advancement to the FIRST Championship, based on performance at their Regional Championship event. Each Premier Event host will also have a limited number of additional spots to extend direct invitations to teams outside of the formal advancement process.

 

 

Premier Event Advancement

 

 

Invitation Process

After Regional Championship event results are submitted, an email will automatically be sent to the Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and 2 registered in the team dashboard account inviting each of the FIRST Championship qualified teams to register. The Championship Invite email also gives those teams a limited time period to, instead, request to attend a Premier Event.

After that limited time period has passed, invitations will be sent to all the Premier Event Advancing teams from that Regional Championship. This email will be sent to the Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and 2 registered in the team dashboard account with a deadline to provide a ranked choice list of the teams preferred Premier Events. Teams will be assigned to a Premier Event based on their ranked list, contingent on open event capacity. Premier Event fees and payment deadlines are set by the event hosts. For this season, Premier Event fees range from $350 to $2000 and may include benefits beyond competition entry fees.

Important things to consider:

  • When selecting your ranked choice list of Premier Events, please check the dates, confirm what the fee includes and if the event will play the game with modified rules.
  • Teams may attend more than one Premier Event, but can only advance to a single Premier Event or the FIRST Championship.
  • Failure to secure your team's space at any event before the payment/registration deadline set by the event host will forfeit your registration.
  • All advancement slots are already assigned to regions, but these slots may be re-allocated in case regions are unable to fill these slots for any reason.
  • Any new advancement slots that are added to a region will be offered to the next team in the advancement order at a Regional Championship not already advanced to the FIRST Championship or a Premier Event.

This is a global pilot of a new advancement process and is being handled manually so there may be a short delay from the process described above. We appreciate your patience! If it's been more than a week since you expected a communication please email ftcteams@firstinspires.org with the subject line "Premier Event Advancement Spot". 

2024-2025 Premier Events

Event Name

Location

Event Dates

Total Team Capacity

Registration Fee

Registration Deadline

Event Summary

New England Premier Event Eastern States Exposition,
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
April 4, 2025 –
April 5, 2025
 
56 $500 USD   The New England Premier Event will take place April 4-5 at the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. This event is part of a FIRST Robotics celebration which includes the New England FIRST Robotics Competition District Championship and other program showcases. The competition will feature the standard INTO THE DEEP judging and robot game for awards and banners. 56 teams will be split into two divisions and compete in a double elimination playoff structure to determine champions. 
Mexico Premier Event Tecmilenio Campus Las Torres,
Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
May 22, 2025 –
May 24, 2025
60 $2,000 USD    
Michiana Premier Event Presented by GEARS The Century Center,
South Bend, Indiana, USA
June 19, 2025 –
June 22, 2025
92 $1,600 USD   Michiana Premier Event will be following the game and judging standards and providing a full awards ceremony in the Bendix Theater to recognize the accomplishments.
Run for the Robots Premier Event The Kentucky Horse Park,
Lexington, Kentucky, USA
June 26, 2025 –
June 28, 2025
64 $1,500 USD   Run for the Robots will bring together robots and horses as never before! This event will feature standard gameplay and judging, with judging heavily reliant upon a team’s portfolio. It will take place at the iconic Kentucky Horse Park, where family-friendly activities and exhibits will be available for all ages.
European Premier Event Indoor Sportcentrum Eindoven,
Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
July 1, 2025 –
July 5, 2025
96 $1,875 (Euro w/VAT)  

From July 1-5, 96 teams will compete across 4 divisions, with 24 teams per division and an extensive double elimination playoff structure. By ensuring high alliance counts and strategic opportunities for advancement, the format is designed to keep every team motivated and engaged, making every next step feel achievable and exciting. Pre-event highlights include exclusive tours of the Brainport region’s cutting-edge companies, offering students a glimpse into the future of STEM careers. Judging is integrated seamlessly, combining formal interviews, informal pit visits, and match observations to foster meaningful interactions. A vibrant team social event on Friday night, featuring food trucks and entertainment, will provide a chance to celebrate and connect in a relaxed atmosphere. Together, these elements promise a transformative experience that goes far beyond the competition field.

Chicago Robotics Invitational Premier Event Francis W. Parker School,
Chicago, Illinois, USA
July 19, 2025 –
July 20, 2025
38 $350 USD   CRI modifies the gameplay & awards vastly. Expect a larger field, 3 team alliances, extra scoring opportunities, and different award categories that will require some work to adjust your in-season robot & judging for. 
Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ KDays Edmonton Expo Center,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
July 25, 2025 –
July 27, 2025
48 $1,500 CAD   Hosted at KDays, one of the largest festivals in Alberta, this event will be truly one of a kind. Participants will have access to the rides, shows and fireworks that the fair grounds have to offer! Participants can expect thousands of spectators to pass through watching team's duke it out in the traditional INTO THE DEEP game. Friday will also see game play with Mentor Bots mixed in against teams. Mentors are encouraged to build and bring their mentor bots to face off against their students! Additionally, KDays will also be home to FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST LEGO League Challenge Off Season events in the 7 days prior. We'd be delighted to welcome all FIRST teams to attend.
Carolinas Premier Event Salem College,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
July 25, 2025 –
July 27, 2025
20 $500 USD   The Carolinas Premier Event offers a competitive edge with at least double the standard number of matches per team, additional award categories, social events, and strategic twist to gameplay designed to challenge even the most seasoned teams. 
             

 

Event Reserve Capacity

Each event host has reserved some of the listed event capacity to invite teams to the event directly at their own discretion. These reserved slots may be directly granted to local teams or could be opened to the community to apply for an invitation

Advancement Allocations