About FIRST Robotics Competition
®
Starting with a Kit of Parts, teams of high school students design, program, and build industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed game, released in January. They compete on a themed field as part of a three-team alliance in the spirit of Coopertition®. In 360-degree learning guided by adult mentors, each FIRST® Robotics Competition team also creates a team identity, raises funds to meet its goals, and advances appreciation for STEM in its community.
®
FIRST Robotics Competition: Program Snapshot
Students 14 - 18 years old (Years 9 - 12)
Minimum of 2 coaches required per team
Teams can be school or community-based
Game includes a 30 second autonomous mode plus a 2 minute driver mode
3 Off-Season Events in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
15+ hour time commitment per week (approx)
FRC teams build industrial-sized robots up to 55kg using mechanical, electrical, and programmed systems provided in a Kit of Parts (KoP).
Up to 50 students per team
Registrations open in late-May, 2026
Season kicks off in early-January, 2027
45+ teams nationally
Teams can use multiple coding languages
including Python, Javascript, C++ and more
1 Regional Championship in March (Sydney)
$6300 USD registration cost/per team
Yearly budget is $15,000+ AUD (approx)
Start a Team: FIRST Robotics Competition
®
Gather your team
Each team needs 2 or more adults with both technical and non-technical expertise and 10 or more students in Years 9–12. These mentors and students willf orm the foundation of your team—engineers, coders, designers, communicators, and leaders!
More Information
Season Calendar: 2026 - 2027
September
Season Registrations Open
Teams can register for the 2026 - 2027 FRC Season via the FIRST Inspires Dashboard beginning September, 2026
March
FRC Southern Cross Regional
The FRC Southern Cross Regional will take place in March 2027, bringing together 45 FIRST
Robotics Competition teams from across the country and Asia-Pacific to compete and advance.
November
Season Registrations Close
Registrations for the 2026 - 2027 Season will close in November, marking the final opportunity for teams to sign up and be part of the program.
January
Season Kickoff
The new 2026 - 2027 FRC Season launches early-January marking the official kickoff where teams around the world tune in for the game reveal, rules and season challenge.
April 28, 2027
World Championships
The FIRST Championship will take place on April 28, 2027 in Houston, Texas, bringing together top teams from around the world to compete and celebrate their achievements.
June - September
FRC Off-Season Events
FRC teams also have an opportunity to participate in off-season events delivered in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth that provide an opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against their peers.
®
FIRST Robotics Competition: Gallery
2026-2027 Season: BIOCORE
Each January brings a new challenge for FIRST® Robotics Competition (ages 14-18 / grades 9-12) teams. Starting with a Kit of Parts, they design, program, and build industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed game as part of a three-team alliance.
In 360-degree learning guided by mentors, students learn engineering and problem-solving skills as they compete for awards, hone teamwork skills, raise funds to meet team goals, and advance appreciation for STEM in their community.
On January 9, 2027, FIRST Robotics Competition teams will delve into the heart of what sustains life on Earth in the BIOCORE™ presented by Haas season game.
FIRST Training and Resources
®
Getting started with FIRST Robotics Competition is easy and free with our collection of training modules, guides, and support resources for coaches, mentors, educators, and volunteers. From understanding the program and competitions to building student confidence in STEM, these resources are designed to support you every step of the way. Please note that you’ll need to create a free profile with FIRST Inspires to access the training resources below.
How does FIRST Robotics Competition work?
You will learn how FIRST Robotics Competition impacts participants, aligns with educational outcomes, and connects to workforce development. At the end of this module, you will have a stronger understanding of how FIRST® works, which will help you effectively engage with the program. This training contains about 60 minutes of content.
Role of Lead Coach
This training is designed for current and prospective Lead Coaches in FIRST® programs. It provides an overview of the Lead Coach role and responsibilities, along with recommendations and resources to help guide your team through a smooth and successful season. This training contains about 90 minutes of content.
Guided Experience: 11 Training Modules
FIRST provides 11 training modules designed to help coaches and students build their understanding of the FIRST Robotics Competition, including teams, game structure, competitions, resources, and key program elements. These modules form part of the Guided Experience for the program and are recommended to be completed before Kickoff to help teams feel prepared and confident for the season ahead.
Click here to view all FIRST training and resource modules
Costs & Registrations
To participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition season, teams must complete season registration through the official FIRST FTC Portal. Rookie teams are required to purchase the necessary control, electronics, and robot sets to build a functioning robot. Cost details are outlined below.
Team Registration
FIRST Robotics Competition team registration provides access to the official FRC competition season, including eligibility to register for Regional events and manage your team through the FIRST Inspires Portal
$6300 USD/per season
Registration for one FRC team (high school–aged students)
Eligibility to compete at an FRC Regional Event
Full event experience, including:
• Dedicated team pit area
• Multiple official qualification matches
• Alliance selection and playoff matches
• Interaction with other teams, mentors, and volunteers
• Eligibility for judged and on-field awards recognising engineering, innovation, teamwork, and performance
Access to official FIRST season materials, including the game manual, team updates, and field documentation
Access to the FIRST Australia dashboard, resources, and support materials