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The formal proposal for FIRST Wisconsin to adopt the district model of play in the 2026 season has been approved by FIRST.
The official announcement can be found on the FIRST Robotics Competition blog, along with information about other regions transitioning to the district model of play in FY26.
Providing this information to teams now helps lay the groundwork to ensure a smooth shift to districts and gives our teams, mentors, and volunteers the opportunity to engage in the process.
This is an invitation for members of the FIRST community interested in shaping the future of FIRST Wisconsin to become part of that process.
During town-hall meetings and our open office hours this past year, these questions stood out:
How do I engage? How can I help? What do you need?
To answer those questions, we created six key initiatives to connect individuals with—providing a clear path on ways our community members can get involved and make a difference.
Complete the "Shaping the Future of FIRST in Wisconsin" form to learn more and participate in next steps.
Whether you want to expand program access to more students in the state or ensure your ideas are heard, we value your perspective. Take action to connect with like-minded FIRST volunteers and mentors as we collaborate on the next steps we take to expand program access to, "Every Student, Every Program, Everywhere."
We look forward to building this future with you.
Next Steps:
2025-2026 FIRST Wisconsin Bid Process:
Last season, FIRST Wisconsin piloted a bid process for scheduling FIRST Tech Challenge events. This year, FIRST Wisconsin will conduct an open bid process to identify competition sites for the 2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition seasons.
Sites for both programs must be identified and contracted no later than August 1st, 2025, to allow teams time to register for FY26 events in September of 2025.
If you're interested in hosting an FTC or FRC event in your region, next steps and the timeline for the FY26 bid process can be found here: FY26 FIRST Wisconsin Bid Process
All interested parties should complete the FY26 Intent to Bid Form, which ensures venues meet the minimum event requirements.
FY25 FIRST Wisconsin State Championship "Off-Season" Event:
Save the date for the first (and only) off-season FIRST Wisconsin Robotics State Championship, taking place Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at Sheboygan North High School.
Leveraging the Regional Advancement Points Model, as described in the September 25th FIRST Robotics Competition blog post, the top Wisconsin teams in the state, based on points gained by robot and awards performance, will be invited to attend this event. The event will not only allow teams to share with their community they're attending the FIRST Wisconsin Robotics State Championship, it will also be used to test-fit A/V, production, and volunteer equipment.
Teams interested in hosting an off-season event will be able to coordinate with FIRST Wisconsin to for use of an FRC field perimeter, this season's official game elements, and all other season-specific items, starting July 1st, 2025.
More details and volunteer registration information will be shared in the next few weeks.
Upcoming FIRST Robotics Competition Mentor Meetings:
FIRST Wisconsin hosts regular Build-Season Check-In meetings for FIRST Robotics Competition mentors to connect. The third build-season update meeting was already scheduled to take place today from 6:00-7:00pm CT. Upon realizing FIRST Robotics Competition staff was scheduling the announcement for today, we adjusted the meeting agenda, shifted topics to future meetings, and made space for discussion.
You are welcome to join us by RSVPing here: FRC Teams Build Season Check-In Three
Best of luck to California as they navigate the model of play transition in the FY26 Season alongside us.
Renee Becker-Blau
President of FIRST Wisconsin