Coming Soon-TEAM GUIDE
CHESAPEAKE CHAMPION SHIP
CHESAPEAKE CHAMPION H P
Presented By
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April 9-12, 2026
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Competition Schedule
Time | Program |
|---|---|
5:00PM - 9:00PM | Pits and Inspection Open |
6:00PM- 8:30PM | Practice Field Open |
8:00PM- 8:30PM | Field Open for Calibration |
Friday, April 10, 2026
Competition Schedule
Time | Program |
|---|---|
8:00AM - 7:00PM | Pits and Inspections Open |
8:00AM - 6:30PM | Machine Shop Open |
8:30AM - 6:30PM | Practice Field Open |
8:30AM - 9:30AM | Field Open for Calibration |
9:30AM - 10:00AM | Driver's Meeting |
10:00AM - 12:00PM | Practice Matches |
12:00PM - 1:00PM | Lunch Break |
1:00PM - 6:00 PM | Qualification Matches |
7:00 PM | Pits Close |
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Competition Schedule
Time | Program |
|---|---|
8:00AM - 7:00PM | Pits and Inspections Open |
8:00AM - 6:30PM | Machine Shop Open |
8:30AM - 6:30PM | Practice Field Open |
9:00AM - 9:30AM | Opening Ceremonies |
9:30AM - 12:00PM | Qualification Matches |
12:00PM - 1:00PM | Lunch Break |
1:00PM - 6:00PM | Qualification Matches |
7:00 PM | Pits Close |
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Competition Schedule
Time | Program |
|---|---|
8:00AM - 6:00PM | Pits and Inspections Open |
8:00AM - 12:00PM | Machine Shop Open |
8:30AM - 3:00PM | Practice Field Open |
9:00AM - 9:30AM | Opening Ceremonies |
9:30AM - 11:30AM | Qualification Matches |
~11:30AM - 12:00PM | Alliance Selections |
12:00PM - 1:00PM | Lunch Break |
1:00PM - 5:00PM | Playoff Matches and Awards |
6:00PM | Pits Close |
Auxiliary Programs
Time | Program |
|---|---|
8:30AM - 6:00PM | Mentor Lounge Open |
9:00AM to 10:00AM | Women in STEM Breakfast |
10:00AM - 3:30PM | Tech Mixer Open |
10:00AM - 10:30AM | Safety Captain's Meeting |
11:00PM - 1:00PM | Friends & Supporters Lunchtime Mixer |
Auxiliary Programs
Time | Program |
|---|---|
8:30AM - 6:00PM | Mentor Lounge Open |
10:00AM - 3:30PM | Tech Mixer Open |
10:00AM - 10:30AM | Safety Captain's Meeting |
12:00PM - 1:00PM | Passing the Torch: Graduating Senior Event |
7:00PM - 9:00PM | Volunteer & Alumni Celebration |
Auxiliary Programs
Time | Program |
|---|---|
8:30AM - 3:00PM | Mentor Lounge Open |
9:30AM - 3:30PM | Tech Mixer Open |
10:00AM - 10:30AM | Safety Captain's Meeting |
VSU Multipurpose Center
Parking
Parking is available onsite for free in the parking lots highlighted below. The lots are not secured so teams are encouraged to not leave anything of value in vehicles. Overnight parking for trailers will be located in the parking lot marked below.
Security
Teams may enter the Center through the main front lobby doors. An additional entrance near the Pit Area will be available in the morning only. Teams heading to the pits should use the pit entrance, while those going to the stands should use the main front doors. See the map below for entrance locations.
The venue will have security procedures in place for all attendees.
Team participants will receive wristbands at team check-in at Pit Admin. These wristbands allow wearers to enter through the participant entrances without going through metal detectors. Participants should still expect quick bag checks upon entry. Only participants with wristbands will be allowed to enter for the first 30 minutes of each morning.
Teams are strongly encouraged to have a representative check in their team during Thursday load-in to pick up wristbands. This will help teams enter the venue more quickly on Friday morning.
Visitors and spectators will be required to enter through the main security screening area and should expect metal detectors and bag checks when entering the facility. Attendees without wristbands will also be required to follow the venue’s clear bag policy.
No outside food or drink will be allowed in the venue except for one empty, refillable bottle per person.
Note: Teams may bring water bottles for team use during scheduled team load-in through the loading dock only.
The competition field will be on the main floor of the Center with the pit areas in the auxiliary gym. A practice field like those at District events will be available near the main competition field.
Team Load In and Load Out
Team load-in will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 9th. The pits will open at that time and teams will be able to set up their pits and start the inspection process.
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Since the pits are open, teams will NOT be limited to only 6 per team.
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Please keep in mind that not all venue spaces will be available during this timeframe so teams are asked to keep numbers reasonable.
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At least one adult team mentor must be present at all times when students are onsite.
Loading door access will be available until 9:00 PM on Thursday and will again be available from 8:00 am - 9:00 am on Friday for team load-in.
Volunteers will be available in the load-in area to direct traffic. Teams are asked to arrive in the direction marked to make this process as efficient as possible.
The same process as load-in is expected to be followed during load-out.
Lunch Pre-Order
Teams may pre-order meals for the event using the form linked below. Orders must be submitted separately for each day your team would like meals.
Please be sure to cc Farish Perlman( fperlman@firstchesapeake.org) when submitting your order form.
Additional details, including menu options and ordering instructions, can be found in the linked document.
Concessions
Concessions will also be available on-site during the event.
Outside food and drinks are not allowed at this venue.
If a member of your team has food allergies and needs an exception to this, please contact us at events@firstchesapeake.org.
Prayer Room
A prayer room will be made available for prayer times each day. Please check in at Pit Admin, and a volunteer will escort you to the room.
Quiet Room
A quiet space will be available at the District Championship in room 112. The space will be available during the following hours and will consist of some tables and chairs removed from the noise of the main arena.
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Friday and Saturday - 8:30 AM until 6:30 PM
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Sunday- 8:30 AM until 2:30 PM
To help provide adult supervision of the quiet room, mentors are asked to provide a two-hour time block if they are able. Those providing support should have completed their YPP certification or be willing to do so before the event.
Seating and ADA Access
Seating is accessible from the concourse level of the Center, on the second level. Stairs to the pit area will be available on each side of the viewing area. ADA seating is available along the concourse. Elevator access between the concourse and main level is available behind the lobby area and near the Chesapeake lounge. We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact the event manager, Anne Shade ashade@firstchesapeake.org, ahead of the event.
Pit Area
Teams will be assigned a 9-foot by 9-foot space in the auxiliary gym.
Teams cannot set up tables, chairs, or other displays anywhere other than their assigned pit area.
Please remember to bring your own table for your pit area. A table will NOT be provided.
Safety Glasses
Teams are asked to bring safety glasses for all their team members and supporters. Loaner safety glasses will not be available at the event.
Driver's Meeting
A drivers’ meeting will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday, April 10 on the competition field. Drive teams are asked to sit in the stands for the meeting. Teams can submit questions using the link below.
NASA Machine Shop
Machine shop services will be available thanks to NASA. Their mobile machine shop will be set up outside the venue and accessible through the loading doors in the back of the pit. A mentor should accompany students out to the machine shop. Please visit the Machine Shop table in the Pit for more details.
Test Area
Teams can visit the test area table to sign up for a time slot. Teams are only able to reserve one time slot at a time. Per section 14.6 of the manual, test areas cannot be used for full field or complex autonomous modes. A reminder that per rule E601, teams will not be allowed to use the test area until they have passed inspections.
Judging
Judging will proceed similarly to the District Events with judge interviews in the team pit areas with just a few exceptions:
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Only winners of the District event Engineering Inspiration, Impact, and Rookie All-Star will qualify for those awards at the DCMP.
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Please check in at Pit Admin, and a volunteer will escort you to the judging room.
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Interviews will be scheduled for those three awards & Dean’s List by the Judge Advisor.
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Engineering Inspiration interviews will occur on Saturday, April 11th
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Impact Award interviews will occur on Saturday, April 11th
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FIRST Leadership Award District Semi-finalists interviews will occur on Sunday, April 12th
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Rookie All-Star interviews will occur Sunday, April 12th
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The interview schedule and locations will be posted at Pit Admin by the start of qualification matches. Interviews will begin on Saturday morning. Teams should talk to the Pit Admin Supervisor if they have a conflict with their interview time.
Safety All-Star
The safety captains are invited to participate in the Safety All-Star program per the Safety Manual. Teams will receive the nomination cards from Pit Admin. Safety captain meetings will be held at 10:00 AM each day on the concourse behind section 109.