2025–2026 FIRST Tech Challenge Texas Season Fees and Regional Breakdown

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about season costs — what’s included, how they’re determined, and why they vary by region.

Below is a preliminary breakdown of participation fees for the 2025–2026 FIRST Tech Challenge season in Texas. These figures reflect current models across the different Texas regions and are intended to help teams plan ahead.

While fees vary slightly by region, each structure is designed to reflect local delivery models, partnerships, and event logistics — ensuring that all Texas FTC teams receive equitable event experiences, regardless of where they play.

Central and North Regions

The Central and North regions are grouped together because they share a similar competition format and payment structure. Both use a mix of Leagues and Qualifiers to give teams flexible participation options, with slight differences between them.

• Central primarily runs League play with a single Last Call Qualifier later in the season.

• North operates several Fall Qualifiers (typically three) plus a Last Call Qualifier for teams who join late or need another competition opportunity.

Both regions also include Semi-Regionals (or Super Qualifiers) as a secondary advancement layer between local events and the Regional Championship, giving teams a second opportunity to compete while maintaining consistent access and costs.

East Region

The Texas-Houston (East) Region, which includes the greater Houston area, is managed by San Jacinto College — the Program Delivery Partner responsible for local event operations and registration. The region follows the league model with three League Meets and one League Tournament which advances to the Regional Championship event. San Jacinto handles all Texas-Houston (East) Region logistics, payments, and communications separately from FIRST in Texas.

Teams in the Texas-Houston (East) FTC region should contact Bryan Melton at [email protected] or Dalyn Velazquez at [email protected] for detailed information about registration, season fees, and event schedules.

South Region

The South region follows a traditional League model where teams participate in three League Meets and one League Tournament. Teams advance directly from League play to the Regional Championship, which serves as the primary advancement event for the region.

This consistent model helps maintain predictability for teams and hosts while supporting a strong, community-based event structure.

West & Panhandle Region

The West & Panhandle region operates in partnership with Texas Tech University – College of Engineering, which provides significant in-kind support for the FIRST Tech Challenge program in West & Panhandle. Because of this partnership, the Texas Season Fee and Regional Championship Registration is lower than in other regions, though teams still participate in the same number of League events and advance through a Regional Championship pathway.

This model allows the region to keep costs affordable while maintaining a high-quality event experience for all teams.

State Cup and UIL State Championship

The Texas State Cup and UIL State Championship are the capstone events of the Texas FTC season. Depending on eligibility and advancement paths, some teams may qualify for one or both.

• The UIL State Championship is for high school teams participating under the University Interscholastic League. Teams advance based on their performance in regional events and compete for state-level recognition through UIL.
• The Texas State Cup is an end-of-season celebration where teams from across Texas come together for head-to-head competition. The event is designed as a showcase of excellence and sportsmanship rather than an advancement tournament.

Teams that qualify for both events have the option to register for a combined rate that covers participation in both the UIL State Championship and the Texas State Cup.