FIRST® Tech Challenge
Grades 7-12
How the MO/KS Season Works
FIRST Tech Challenge in Missouri/Kansas runs on a League structure. During the regular season, every team is assigned to one of our 8 leagues. Meets and League Tournaments are played within your league; the postseason consists of Super Qualifiers and the Missouri/Kansas Championship. Here's the season at a glance.
Your Season, Step by Step
Kickoff
September 12
8 locations across MO/KS. Game reveal, and a game piece for every team.
League Meets
Nov 7 - Jan 23
each team plays 3 Meets within its league (game play only, no judging).
League Tournaments
Feb 6 - Feb 27
A full day — matches, judging, playoffs, and an Awards Ceremony
MO/KS Championship
March 20
MO/KS Championship for advancing teams
Event Cancellation Policy
Events in our region are booked and scheduled in advance. Event managers may cancel an event if the host facility determines conditions are unsafe, including inclement weather or any other public safety concern, such as a shortage of screened volunteers. If an event is cancelled, coaches will be notified by email.
League Meets may be rescheduled at the League Manager's discretion. League Tournaments and postseason events are unlikely to be rescheduled.
If a League Tournament or the MO/KS Championship is cancelled, judging will move online. We will work with coaches to schedule remote judging sessions, and judged awards will be based on those sessions. Team rankings will be determined based on Meet scores.
If an event is not cancelled, parents and coaches decide whether their team will attend. No refunds will be given.
League Meets
Each team plays in three Meets, with six matches in each half-day Meet. Meets run November 7, 2026 – January 23, 2027 and are game play only, with no judging. Across all three Meets a team accumulates 18 match results — the top 10 carry forward to set initial ranking at your League Tournament.
Meets played by teams in the regular season
3
Total match results across a team's 3 Meets
18
Best results carried forward to League Tournament ranking
10
How to Sign Up for Meets
Meet sign-up happens in three ranking rounds. Rank your preferred Meets in order — hosting teams get their #1 choice, and we do our best to give every team one of their top three picks.
Round 1
OPENS SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Round #1 assigns teams to their first Meet. Choose your ranking order carefully.
Round 2
OPENS SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
Round #2 assigns teams to their second Meet. Popular spots may mean your 5th–7th choice.
Round 3
OPENS October 7, 2026
Round #3 assigns teams to their third Meet. Popular spots may mean your 5th–7th choice.
League Tournaments
Every team is automatically assigned to compete in one League Tournament (LT) — a full day complete with game play, alliance selection and playoffs, as well as judging and an Awards Ceremony with trophies. Teams play 6 matches at the LT, which determine ranking for alliance selection.
Matches played at the League Tourname
6
Total total teams across 8 leagues will advance to the Missouri/Kansas Championship
48
Registration Fees
FIRST in Missouri is the official FIRST Partner Organization for FIRST Tech Challenge in Missouri and Kansas.
FIRST Registration Fee
Teams pay a $350 registration fee once per season directly to FIRST through your team's FIRST Dashboard.
$350
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Registration opens each spring
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Teams receive an official FIRST FTC team number
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Access to team roster to register team members including mentors and participants.
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Both coaches must complete Youth Protection Program (YPP) screening
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Waiting on a grant? Don't pay until it's awarded
Missouri/Kansas Registration Fee
Teams pay a $225 fee to participate in MO/KS Regular Season competitions. This fee is paid to FIRST in Missouri (we will invoice you). This non-refundable fee covers:
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3 League Meets
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1 League Tournament
Teams who qualify, pay an additional $150 fee to participate in the Missouri/Kansas Championship.
$225 (Regular Season) + $150 post season
FIRST in Missouri invoices are e-mailed to team administrators — you may need FIRST in Missouri's W-9 to set us up as a vendor in your system. Billing questions? AR@firstinmissouri.org.