NRG Arena
8825 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054
Co-Presenting Sponsors
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From April 15–18, 2026, FIRST® in Texas will welcome nearly 9,000 students, mentors, volunteers, and families from across Texas and New Mexico as hundreds of student robotics teams showcase their innovation, teamwork, and technical skill at the 2026 FIRST in Texas District Championship / UIL State Championship, hosted at NRG Arena.
This annual three‑day celebration of STEM brings high school teams together for intense, fast‑paced, head‑to‑head robotics competition, all in front of thousands of cheering fans. The event is free and open to the public, offering an exciting opportunity to experience the power of youth innovation up close.
Event At A Glance
Location: NRG Arena at 1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
Season/Game: REBUILT® presented by HAAS
Dates:
Load In — April 15th, 2026 beginning at 3 p.m.
Event Days — April 16th - April 18th, 2026
Events Included:
District Championship - 90 Teams
FIRST Alumni Engagement Event
Event Overview
The Texas FRC District Championship / UIL State Championship is a multi‑day celebration of robotics, innovation, and student achievement during the REBUILT™ season presented by Haas. Hosted at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas, this premier event brings together high school teams, dedicated volunteers, and industry partners from across the state for a unified, championship‑style experience. It showcases the highest level of competition in the Texas district, highlighting the creativity, technical skill, and teamwork that define the FIRST community.
The FRC District Championship / UIL State Championship brings together 90 of the top high school robotics teams from across Texas and New Mexico. While both events take place at the same venue, they are determined in different ways.
The FRC District Championship is decided by the on‑field winners of the competition itself. Teams compete head‑to‑head throughout the event, and the champions are crowned based on match performance.
The UIL State Championship, however, follows a season‑long points system. Teams earn points at every district tournament throughout the year, and those cumulative rankings determine which teams qualify for the UIL title. Because of this structure, not all 90 teams participating in the District Championship are part of the UIL State Championship field.
For more details about the UIL component of the event, please visit UIL Robotics.
Kitbot!
The FIRST Robotics Competition KitBot is a versatile, beginner-friendly robot kit. Access build instructions, CAD files, programming guides, and tips to help your team get competition-ready with your KitBot.
The KitBot for REBUILTSM presented by Haas is capable of completing the following actions.
• Drive around the FIELD using a differential drivetrain (also commonly referred to as “tank”) geared for a top achievable speed of ~12.7 feet per second (3.87 m/s).
• Traverse over the BUMP and under the TRENCH
• Pre-load 8 FUEL for use in AUTO
• Score FUEL into the HUB from a short distance away
• Collect FUEL from the OUTPOST and the floor • Hold ~10-15 FUEL at a time
• Pass FUEL to partners by launching or reversing the floor intake • Play defense
Game and Season Information
In REBUILT™ presented by Haas, FIRST® Robotics Competition teams will use engineering skills and re-imagine the past.
Every artifact we uncover holds a story. Each tool, each innovation, each work of art connects us to the people and ideas that came before us. Using STEM skills and teamwork, today we can dig deeper into discoveries than ever before.
Championship Schedule
The schedule is subject to change; however, teams should feel confident booking travel and accommodations based on the times listed below.
District Championship Eligibility
A team competing in a District qualifies for their District Championship by meeting 1 of the following criteria:
- A. District FIRST Impact Award Winner,
- B. District Ranking (based on total points earned at their first 2 home District events)
- C. District Engineering Inspiration winner (qualifies to compete for the award only), and D. District Rookie All Star winner (qualifies to compete for the award only).
Teams do not earn points at third or subsequent District events, nor at any inter district or Regional events at which they compete during the season. If a team declines an invitation to the District Championship, the next highest uninvited team on the list is invited, and so on, until the event capacity is filled.
The District Point System
The District Point System:
- Qualification Rank: Points are awarded based on your final standing at the end of qualification matches (typically between 4–22 points).
- Alliance Selection: Teams earn points for being an Alliance Captain or being drafted. Captains and first picks receive more points than second picks.
- Playoff Performance: Teams earn points for every round they win in the double-elimination playoff bracket (usually 10 points per level won).
- Judged Awards: Winning certain awards provides additional points. For example, the FIRST Impact Award (formerly Chairman's) typically grants 10 points at the district event level.
If you need help keeping up with your ranking compared to other teams in the TX/NM district, please visit FRC Locks.
Hotel Blocks
Staybridge Suites Houston - Medical Center
Starting at $189 per night
Courtyard by Marriott Houston by The Galleria
Starting at $159 per night
InterContinental Houston
Starting at $209 per night
Holiday Inn Houston NRG Park /Medical Center Area
Starting at $159 Per Night
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately you may not bring any food items into the NRG Arena.
Yes, the concession stands will be open throughout the event.
The cost for the District Championship is $4000.
All payments must be made to FIRST HQ or FIRST New Hampshire. FIRST in Texas does not collect any registration fees for this event.
For FIRST Championship Eligibilty Criteria, Click Here
FIRST in Texas will allow a total of 10 individuals to load in. Please remember to wear your safety glasses.
Unfortunately, parking is not free. The cost will be coming soon.
Each coach will have to turn in a team roster that details who has turned in their C&R form. Please don't bring any physical C&R forms to the event. C&R forms should be completed prior to the event to avoid confusion. Coach's can log into their coach's portal and send student's a link to complete the form. They may also print the roster from the portal. If you need help, email [email protected].
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Leader in Technology
Captain of Innovation
Robot Booster
