Current Season Information
Follow this page for current information.
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.
Welcome to FIRST® AGE™ presented by Qualcomm, our 2025-2026 robotics season inspired by
archaeology. What will you uncover? Join us for an experience for the ages.
Teams will investigate the power of the world's artifacts and unlock mysteries in this season's FIRST Tech Challenge game DECODE™ presented by RTX.
2025-2026 Season
FIRST® Registration is now open
Join Slack
For the latest up-to-date information, please join the Mississippi FTC Slack workspace. There are channels for coaches, students, Q&A, and qualifier information. You can join using this link.
Application to host a Scrimmage or Qualifier
We are accepting applications to host scrimmages and/or qualifiers at your facility. Please download and fill out our Qualifier Host Application form to inform us of your interest.
Event Applications Now Open
Teams may now choose their events that they would like to attend by filling out the following forms:
- Build-it Day/Scrimmage Application Form
- Qualifier Application Form
To be able to compete as a FIRST Tech Challenge team, you need to register each season. The annual registration fees that all teams pay to FIRST stays at FIRST Headquarters in New Hampshire and does not get passed onto Mississippi FTC. To pay your team's $325 FIRST HQ Registration fee, please visit your team's FIRST Dashboard.
Teams are allowed to order equipment prior to their two adult coaches completing the Youth Protection Program (YPP). However, teams will not be allowed to register for local events until YPP screening is a Yes for both coaches.
If you are waiting for a grant, DO NOT pay your FIRST Registration Fee until after that grant has been awarded. FIRST will not be able to make changes to orders after checkout. Check the Grant Opportunities above on the FIRST website for available grants.
Helpful links:
Rookie Team Registration Instructions
Veteran Team Registration Instructions
Youth Registration/Roster Overview
Pre-Season
- May 14, 2025 – FIRST Registration opens – online
- September 6, 2025 – FIRST Tech Challenge Kickoff event – The Lamar School - Meridian
- September 22, 2025 – Mississippi FTC scrimmage and qualifier registration opens – online
Build-it Days/Scrimmages
- October 18, 2025 - Central Build-it Day/Scrimmage - Christ Covenant School - Ridgeland
- October 25, 2025 - Southern Build-it Day/Scrimmage - St. Stanislaus Catholic School - Bay St. Louis
- November 1, 2025 - Northern Build-it Day/Scrimmage - Mantachie High School - Mantachie
Qualifiers
- November 15, 2025 - Tupelo Qualifier - Tupelo Middle School
- December 6, 2025 - Vicksburg Qualifier - Warren Central High School
- December 13, 2025 - Biloxi Qualifier - St. Patrick's Catholic High School
- January 17, 2026 - Water Valley Qualifier - Davidson Elementary School
- January 24, 2026 - Gulfport Qualifier - West Harrison Middle School
- February 7, 2026 - Meridian Qualifier - The Lamar School
Championship – March 6-7, 2026
Post-season
- April 28-May 2 – FIRST Championship – George R. Brown Convention Center – Houston, TX
- Primer Events - Dates to be announced
- New England Premier Event
- Mexico Premier Event
- Michiana Premier Event Presented by GEARS
- Run for the Robots Premier Event
- Chicago Robotics Invitational Premier Event
- Canadian Rockies Premier Event @ K Days Canada Cup
- Niagra Premier Event
- Istanbul Premier Event
- Western Edge Premier Event
- Cowtown Invitational Premier Event
Kickoff Information
Kickoff is free to attend. We ask that all teams pre-register to attend the Kickoff Event. Registration lets you sign up for specific breakout Share-and-Learn sessions and will enable you to receive a scoring game element of your own.
Mississippi FTC Registration Fees
It does not cost any extra to belong to Mississippi FTC. Each team can compete at up to two (2) qualifiers. However, each qualifier has a $90.00 competition fee that is due to our office 10 days prior to the competition. Invoices will be sent within 2 weeks after qualifier registration. The Mississippi Championship will have a different fee than the qualifiers (TBD). Grants received on your FIRST Dashboard cannot be used to pay Mississippi FTC fees.
For additional information, please contact:
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
The University of Mississippi
1111 Jackson Avenue W., Suite Q
P.O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677
Phone: (662) 915-6621
Fax: (662) 915-1762
Email: first@olemiss.edu
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
The Center for Mathematics and Science works to improve mathematics and science education in Mississippi by fostering interaction between academic and K-12 communities, support the implementation of research-based methods in the classroom, and promote interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).