FIRST Robotics Competition​

The highest level of robotics competition offered by FIRST. High-school students team up with the world’s best technology companies to build the most impressive robots you’ve ever seen. Built from scratch, these 5 foot tall, 140 pound robots compete in high intensity robo-sports. With bragging rights at stake for schools and the companies that support them, robotics takes on a pro-sports experience. Watch the best of the best in robotics come out to play.

“The varsity sport for the mind,” FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

Students Get To

  • Learn from professional engineers
  • Build and compete with a robot of their own design
  • Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware
  • Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments
  • Earn a place in the World Championshi
  • Qualify for over $81 million USD in college scholarships
First Robotics Competition Logo

AGES 14-18
GRADES 9-12

SINGLE TEAM

Number Of Students: Unlimited (Typically 15-50)
Total Start Up Cost: ~$8800* +$2000 for robot parts*
Annual Recurring Costs (Registration Fee): ~$8800* + $2000+ for robot parts, plus additional optional events
District Event Registration: 2 events included with fee
Current Ontario Rookie Year Grant: $2000 with strong potential for more

A. Annual registration includes the following seasonal materials, which are updated each year to reflect the new theme.

SINGLE TEAM

On-line Manuals: Game manual sample, Safety, Awards, and Control System

1 Kit of Parts Tote: Varies from year to year (Typically includes sample game piece(s), vouchers, Credits for free parts, and optional drive base)

1st Year Teams Only: Rookie tote (Typically includes the control system and a laptop)

Additional Robot Parts & Game Pieces: ~$150x2 Option for 2023: Get parts for the Everybot in your kit of parts! Other parts purchased separately

Robot 4069 shown in action sequence at a competition

B.You will need:

D.This year’s (2023-2024) theme is “FIRST in Show”. Students will have roughly two months to solve the CRESCENDO challenge by building a robot to cooperate and compete with robots from other teams in two-and-a-half minute matches (in-person). Through Gracious Professionalism® and Coopertition® teams develop their human qualities while learning about STEM.

C.Resources / Support:

E.
Team Registration Opens: May
Registration Closes: December
Challenge is Released and Kit of Parts Pick Up: Early January
Build Season: January - February
Qualifying Tournaments: March - April
Provincial Championships: April (Cost: $5000-$1250 grant plus travel/ accommodation)
World Championship Houston: Late April (Cost = $5000 USD plus travel/accommodation)
Optional Off Season Events: Typically in the Summer-Fall

2023 ON District Qualifying Events

Start a Team

If you are interested in starting a team, learn more about it here

Find a Team

Looking to join a team? Click here to find nearby teams

Team Costs and Grants

Learn more about the costs to run a team, team payments and grant that could help you

Resources

Find all the resources to help you with your team

Mentor Talks

Archived virtual discussion for FRC and FTC mentors.

Team Help & Practice Fields

Mobile Alumni Crew, Ontario Walk-In help and our Online Help Desk for teams

Rookie Resources

New to FIRST Robotics Competition? Resources to help you get started with your team

Need more help? Contact your local representative: