Premier Events

Invitation Process

After submitted Regional Championship results are accepted by FIRST^®, an email will automatically be sent to the advancing team's Lead Coach/Mentor 1 and 2 registered in the team dashboard account inviting each of the FIRST^® Championship and Premier Event qualified teams to complete their event preferencing.

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 team's preferred 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 $700 to $2,500 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.

This is a global pilot of a new preferencing system and process. We appreciate your patience! If it's been more than a week since you expected a communication please email customerservice@firstinspires.org with the subject line "Premier Event Advancement Spot".

1 Map of DECODE season Premier Events

2 Canada Cup Premier Event

3 Canadian Rockies Premier Event

4 Carolinas Premier Event

5 Chicago Premier Event

Cowtown Premier Event

European Premier Event

Istanbul Premier Event

Mexico Premier Event

Michiana Premier Event

New England Premier Event

Run for the Robots Premier Event

Western Edge Premier Event

2025-2026 Premier Events

Event Name	Location	Event Dates	Total Team Capacity	Registration Fee	Event Description
New England Premier Event	West Springfield, Massachusetts	Apr 17 - Apr 18	56	$1,500 USD	The New England Premier runs as part of a bigger FIRST^® robotics celebration which includes the New England FIRST^® Robotics Competition District Championship and other program showcases. The competition will feature the standard DECODE judging and robot game for awards and banners. A total of 56 teams will participate, split into two divisions, and compete in a double-elimination playoff structure to determine the champions. There will be a team social on Thursday, April 16 ahead of the event.
Run for the Robots Premier Event	Lexington, Kentucky	May 28 - May 30	72	$1,500 USD	Get ready for Run for the Robots — where horses and robots come together like never before! This event will feature 72 teams from around the world, uniting the thrill of competition with Kentucky’s legendary equine spirit. Game play and judging will follow standard formats, but the experience will be anything but ordinary, with Kentucky-themed touches throughout Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park!
Western Edge Premier Event	Long Beach, California	May 28 - May 31	80	$2,000 USD	Our event offers a one-of-a-kind, three-day experience that goes far beyond the competition floor. Set in the scenic city of Long Beach, California, teams will be inspired by the energy of fellow FIRST^®LEGO League participants from around the world. From thrilling matches to unforgettable fun team activities in the evenings, every moment is designed to spark creativity, build lasting friendships, and create lifelong memories. Most importantly, this event highlights the exciting pathway from FIRST LEGO League to FIRST^® Tech Challenge. By showcasing what’s possible, we empower teams to dream bigger and stay engaged in STEM for years to come.
Canada Cup - Niagara Premier Event	St. Catharines, Ontario	Jun 13 -Jun 16	96	$2,500 CAD	Teams from around the world will descend upon one of the world’s most multicultural countries, minutes away from one of the wonders of the world in Niagara Falls. We are committed to providing a truly international event that brings together the cultures of the world in a celebration of inclusion, where teams will come together to cooperate, collaborate, and compete in a World Championship like experience. Inclusive lodging and meal packages will be available for teams, and the event will feature a carnival for teams as well as field trips to the Falls!
Cowtown Invitational Premier Event	Fort Worth, Texas	Jun 16 - Jun 17	48	$1,800 USD	Cowtown Invitational captures the best of Texas hospitality with a country-western flair that makes every team feel right at home. From the warm welcome to the themed touches and community-driven spirit, it’s an event that feels more like a celebration than a competition. Teams come for the matches, but they remember the atmosphere—friendly faces, shared traditions, and the kind of genuine connection that makes Cowtown special.
European Premier Event	Eindhoven, Netherlands	Jun 17 - Jun 20	96	€1,875 EUR	The FIRST Tech Challenge European Premier Event 2026 offers a similar experience to the FIRST Championship, creating a fun, exciting, and memorable culminating experience for teams. With 96 teams competing, this event is designed to push teams to their limits and celebrate the best of robotics innovation. There will be additional pre-event team activities on Tuesday, June 16.
Michiana Premier Event Presented by GEARS	South Bend, Indiana	Jun 17 - Jun 21	96	$1,800 USD	Our inaugural event was a high-energy competition with some of the top teams from around the world. We look forward to creating an even better opportunity for 96 teams to capstone their DECODE™ season. We will be following the standard robot game and judging guidelines for the competition. This multi-day event also includes evening activities to build relationships and create lasting memories. Teams will move into their pits on Thursday, June 18 and then participate in an Olympic-style Opening Ceremony. After a full day of judging and several robot rounds, Friday evening will have a Video Game Tournament and Ice Cream Social in the Bendix ESports Arena. On Saturday, teams will finish judging and their remaining qualifying robot rounds. After alliances are selected, teams will have extended practice times to prepare for the playoffs. Sunday will be filled with robot finals and an integrated Awards Ceremony.
İstanbul Premier Event	İstanbul, Turkiye	Jun 26 - Jun 28	100	$1,500 USD	This year’s Premier Event in Turkiye offers teams not only an exciting competitive experience but also the chance to explore the historical and cultural richness of İstanbul. Throughout the event, participants will develop their robotics and STEAM skills while engaging in fun cultural activities. Teams will have opportunities to showcase their creative projects, take part in surprise challenges, and build international friendships. The unique atmosphere of Istanbul makes this a truly unforgettable and multifaceted experience.
México Premier Event	Mexico City, Mexico	Jul 23 - Jul 25	70	$1,400 USD	Our event stands out for its unique blend of cultural richness, strong focus on wellbeing, enriched by educational impact, where STEM, innovation and Mexico's several archeological sites blend together. Being hosted in Mexico City, the competition will offer teams an unforgettable experience that goes beyond robotics. Participants will engage in a vibrant atmosphere, where technology and innovation meet tradition, culture and a vibrant international community, fostered by passionate mentors, enthusiastic volunteers, and a strong sense of unity.
Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ K Days	Edmonton, Alberta	Jul 24 - Jul 26	48	$2,000 CAD	We are excited to be partnering with KDays to host the FIRST Tech Challenge Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ KDays! KDays is a 10 day extravaganza of rides, games, free music concerts, fireworks, food and adventure which is rooted in local history and deeply connected to the city of Edmonton. Participants can expect thousands of spectators to pass through watching teams duke it out in the traditional DECODE game. On the first day of the event we welcome Mentor Bots to join the teams in practice matches. Mentors are encouraged to build and bring their mentor bots to face off against their students! We kickoff qualification matches with a team parade around the fair ground to show off our FIRST energy. Since it is during the summer, you can plan team social activities at the fair, and visit places like West Edmonton Mall or hike in the Canadian Rockies!
Chicago Robotics Invitational Premier Event	Chicago, Illinois	Jul 24 - Jul 26	38	$800	CRI takes each year's FIRST Tech Challenge game and expands with new, exciting game elements and changes to keep things fresh. There's new, interactive game elements, a larger field, three robots on each alliance, and even more new each year. We also fully embrace our beautiful host city with new awards celebrating the history and culture of Chicago, which recognize team's accomplishments that may not be recognized by in-season awards.
Carolinas Premier Event	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	Jul 25 - Jul 26	24	$1,000 USD	The Carolinas Premier Event is the first FIRST Tech Challenge event of its kind — a 24-hour, high-energy robotics endurance experience where teams compete and collaborate through the night. With nonstop matches, exhibition play, and hands-on team engagement, it’s a celebration of innovation, grit, and community. Teams will test their limits, showcase their skills, and light up the field in an unforgettable all-night robotics experience.