Game & Season Info

Selecting Kickoff Event

Lead Coach 1 or 2 or the Team Admin may select if they are attending a Kickoff during the kickoff selection dates (September 24, 2026 Noon ET - November 17, 2026 Noon ET) by following these steps:

1. Log in to your FIRST^® Dashboard.
2. Click your team from the Team List.
3. Click the "Team Events & Awards" button.
4. Select the blue “Kickoff Selection” link.
5. Answer the questions.
6. Click the blue “Submit” button.

Teams attending a Kickoff will have the option to ship their Kit to the chosen Kickoff for no fee or choose to ship to a location for an additional charge. If a team does not check out by the payment due date, their kit ship may have to be changed to be sent to the team directly for additional fees.  

Teams who choose not to attend a Kickoff will have to pay an additional fee to ship their kit and are responsible for any customs fees and/or taxes.

As a reminder, Kit direct shipments do not ship until after Kickoff (there is not a guaranteed delivery date) and the team must be secured in order for items to ship. Once a team checks out via the FIRST Storefront, teams will not be able to edit their Kickoff selection or change their shipping location.  
 
Teams that miss the November 17, 2026 deadline may be able to still select a Kickoff location until December 1st (pending availability) as long as the team has not completed checkout.

NEW: The Lead Coach 1, Lead Coach 2, or Team Admin can make Kit selections, including opt-outs (Veteran teams only) and shipping options via the FIRST Storefront starting September 24, 2026 - November 17, 2026. 

Direct Kit Ship

Teams attending a Kickoff will have the option to ship their Kit to the chosen Kickoff for no fee or choose to ship to a location for an additional charge. If a team does not check out by the payment due date, their kit ship may have to be changed to be sent to the team directly for additional fees.  

Teams who choose not to attend a Kickoff will have to pay an additional fee to ship their kit and are responsible for any customs fees and/or taxes. As a reminder, Kit direct shipments do not ship until after Kickoff (there is not a guaranteed delivery date) and the team must be secured in order for items to ship. Once a team checks out via the FIRST Storefront, teams will not be able to edit their Kickoff selection or change their shipping location.  

The shipping fee is calculated based on a team’s location and what physical items the team opts to receive. Shipping fees will be displayed when the team goes to checkout in the new FIRST Storefront.

Kickoff Kit Pick Up

If a team is unable to pick-up their Kickoff Kit at the local kickoff selected, a surrogate may be designated to do so. Additionally, teams may opt to instead to Direct Ship their Kit for an additional charge. Please see the information below for additional details. 

Who is allowed to pick up a kickoff kit:

• Lead Coach 1 or 2 for the team with photo ID 
• Any registered mentor on the team over 18 (you may log in to your FIRST Dashboard as proof) with photo ID 
• The person over 18 that is listed on the Surrogate Kit Pick-up Letter with photo ID 

Surrogate Kit Pick-Up

If a team is unable to pick up its Kickoff Kit at the local kickoff selected, an alternate adult may be designated to do so. The team unable to attend must be registered to pick up their Kickoff Kit at the local kickoff AND provide FIRST with an authorized surrogate kit pick-up letter, submitted/signed by the Lead Coach 1 or 2 or team administrator: 1) Your team number 2) the Kickoff location 3) the name and team number (if applicable) of the surrogate picking up the Kickoff Kit. All surrogate kit pickup letters must be received at FIRST by January 6, 2027!