Texas State Cup: A New Chapter for FIRST Tech Challenge in Texas
Competition Model Change and State Championship
Over the past few years, FIRST® Tech Challenge in Texas has gone through a lot of structural evolution. Veteran teams may recall the early regional models (Central, East/Houston, North, South, and West & Panhandle), where teams advanced directly from their regional championship to the FIRST Championship, while newer teams have joined during a time of statewide consolidation.
In 2023, the four regions under FIRST in Texas (Central, North, South, and West & Panhandle) merged into a single FTC region, and the Texas State Championship became the pathway for teams to advance to Worlds. While the intention was to unify and elevate the program, the results revealed several deep challenges:
- Advancement wasn’t equitable. More advantaged regions and teams had higher representation at Worlds, while rural and emerging teams were underrepresented.
- Scarcity intensified pressure. Limited advancement slots made the season feel high-stakes and discouraging for many teams.
- Travel demands were uneven. Many teams struggled with travel expenses, especially if they advanced from State to Worlds.
- When the 2025 State Championship was canceled, advancement collapsed. Teams were left uncertain and disappointed after months of preparation.
We’ve taken time to listen — to coaches, volunteers, longtime leaders, and our advisory council — and to work with FIRST regarding the FIRST Tech Challenge advancement model and the path to FIRST Championship. The message is clear: we need a statewide event that is fair, sustainable, celebratory, and not a barrier to participation
That’s why we’re adopting a distributed advancement system starting this season:
- What we called "Areas" from 2023-2025 will be converted to Regions. We will maintain our legacy regional boundaries of Central, North, South, and West & Panhandle
- Teams will advance to the FIRST Championship and Premier Events directly from their Regional Championships
- Our Texas State Championship becomes the Texas State Cup and serves as a non-advancing capstone event. It will directly follow the UIL State Championship, and bring our community together to celebrate the season without the pressures of advancement.
What This Means for Your Team:
Your team’s competitive season in Texas begins at a local tournament, but the most exciting opportunities come after you reach your Regional Championship. From Regionals, teams can advance to some of the most meaningful events of the season— from the world stage in Houston to special celebratory experiences in Texas and beyond. This structure creates more opportunities for teams to play, be recognized, and celebrate their hard work at the end of the season.
- Local Tournament (League Tournament or Qualifier)
- Teams advance from either a League Tournament (which is the culminating event in a League) or a Qualifier Tournament (a single day tournament).
- Top ~20%-30% of teams (varies by region) advance directly to Regional Championships (Area Champs).
- Semi-Regional Championship (what used to be called a Semi-Area)
- In North and Central Regions, the next ~30% of teams may recieve another chance by advancing to a Semi-Regional Championship
- Semi-Regionals are only used in North and Central to manage the large team populations.
- Teams compete for their last chance to qualify for the Regional Championship.
- West and South teams skip this step and go straight from tournament to Regionals.
- Regional Championship (what used to be called an Area Champs)
- This is the highest competitive event in your region.
- Advancement to FIRST Championship, Premier Events, and Texas State Cup comes from here.
- Post-Regional Opportunities
- From your Regional Championship, your team may receive an invitation to one or more of:
- FIRST Championship (Houston) – the world stage
- FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Events – high-level competitions around the world
- UIL State Championship - for UIL-eligible high-school teams only
- Texas State Cup – a 72-team, non-advancing celebration event for top-performing and engaged teams across the state
- From your Regional Championship, your team may receive an invitation to one or more of:
Advancement Allocations
We are still finalizing details on how many teams will advance from each level of competition. For details on how many teams will advance from your local tournament, please stay tuned for more information from our Program Delivery Partners.
Details on how many teams will advance from a Regional Championship to a Post-Regional Opportunity will be released later this season after confirmation from FIRST.
Texas State Cup 2026 and Beyond
The Texas State Cup is a new chapter for our program. Instead of serving as an advancing championship, it is now a non-advancing, statewide capstone event that brings together top-performing and highly engaged teams from across Texas.
Texas State Cup will be located at Extraco BASE at Extraco Events Center, Waco, TX on March 20-22, 2026.
This event is designed to showcase everything that makes the Texas robotics community so extraordinary. Across three days, teams will come together to compete, celebrate, and connect like never before. This is a capstone experience that celebrates the season without the added pressure of advancement. It is a central event that welcomes teams from across all Texas regions, including the East (Houston) and has long-term stability, with the venue secured through 2028, creating consistency teams can count on.
- March 20 – UIL State Championship: Eligible high school-based teams in divisions 1A–4A, 5A, and 6A compete for statewide honors.
- March 21–22 – Texas State Cup: 72 teams, full judging, matches, playoffs, and plenty of excitement.
Texas is home to one of the most passionate robotics communities in the world. The Texas State Cup gives us the statewide showcase we’ve all been waiting for.
We are excited to launch this new tradition and can’t wait to see you in Waco for the first-ever Texas State Cup!