August FTC Link: Decode Season Registration and Qualifiers
- Bonnie Crites
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
FIRST Chesapeake's FTC News
Stay informed and connected!
August newsletter at a glance:
FTC 25-26 Registration Instructions
FTC 25-26 Season Schedule
New or Refresher Coach Chat Sessions
New Advancement System for 2025–2026 FTC Season
FIRST Hardship Grants- New Process!
Outreach & Fundraising Opportunity: FLL-E Maryland
Welcome to New First Chesapeake Staff
All of us at FIRST Chesapeake proudly present FIRST AGE: Decode, the challenge for the 2025-2026 season of FIRST Tech Challenge! This newsletter holds all the secrets you require to register your team and begin uncovering the buried knowledge of FIRST AGE!
FTC Season 25-26 FIRST Age: Decode
From artifacts to algorithms, it’s time to decode the season. Save the dates and join the tech-powered dig!
2025-2026 FTC Registration
As we gear up to dig into another season of innovation, teamwork, and discovery, we want to share some important updates to the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team fee structure for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
Updated fee structure and steps to play this season:
STEP 1: FIRST Inspires Team Registration Fee: $325
STEP 2: FIRST Chesapeake Competition Registration Fee (2 qualifiers): $500
STEP 3: Select qualifiers. Half of the available slots will be opened with each Qualifier Selection window. Without payment to BOTH FIRST Inspires and FIRST Chesapeake, teams will not be able to select qualifiers.
Championship Event Fee (if qualified): $600
Optional 3rd Play Event Fee (if available): $250 More information to come on process.
These updates reflect adjustments that will help us continue providing high-quality events and support services for all our participating teams across the District.
Paying with a purchase order? Keep digging!
STEP 1: Login to your FIRST Chesapeake Account
STEP 2: Add Season Registration to Cart
STEP 3: Checkout and Select Manual Payment
STEP 4: Place Order
STEP 5: Request Invoice: Send an email to ftc-teams@firstchesapeake.org
2025-2026 FTC In Person Kickoff Events
The schedule is subject to change.
Any changes will be communicated via newsletter.
These kickoff events are hosted by teams and are in-person opportunities to celebrate the start of the season.
Registration will be managed by the specific hosts beginning August 1, 2025.
Belcamp, MD Click to RSVP | Discovery Center 4505 Pulaski Hwy Belcamp, MD 21017 |
Christiansburg, VA Click to RSVP | Christiansburg Recreation Center 1600 N Franklin St. Christiansburg, VA 24073 |
Laurel, MD. Click to RSVP | JHU Applied Physics Lab Building 201 11091 Johns Hopkins Rd Laurel, MD 20723 |
Moorefield, WV Click to RSVP | Moorefield Middle School 303 Caledonia Heights Rd Moorefield, WV 26836 |
Richmond, VA Click to RSVP | Maggie Walker Governor's School 1000 N. Lombardy St Richmond, VA 23220 |
Washington, DC Click to RSVP | DC International School 1400 Main Dr. NW Washington, DC 20012 |
Westminster, MD Click to RSVP | Exploration Commons 50 E. Main St Westminster, MD 21157 |
Qualifiers
After you are registered and paid with FIRST Inspires and FIRST Chesapeake, visit the FIRST Chesapeake website to select your qualifiers.
Qualifier 1 Selection September 12 at noon-18 at noon.
Qualifier 2 selection September 19 at noon-25 at noon.
Qualifier Selection is first come, first serve and will open and close at noon on the respective dates listed above. Click the link below to learn more!
Qualifier advancement will be shared by November 1 after qualifier selection has been completed and trades and 3rd plays have been determined.
FIRST Tech Challenge
Chesapeake Championship
February 7-8, 2026
Meadow Event Park Farm Bureau Center
13191 Dawn Blvd. Doswell, VA 23047
Note: Event registration for volunteers will not be active until after Kickoff. Watch this newsletter for an announcement.
New and Refresher Coach Chat Sessions
For new coaches and as a refresher for returning coaches and mentors!
Join us for a conversation with FIRST Chesapeake to answer your questions on getting your team moving!
Crack the code on and come with questions to dig into FIRST AGE FTC : DECODE
All Chat Sessions will begin at 7pm.
New Advancement System for 2025–2026 FTC Season
FIRST has announced a new advancement process for the 2025–2026 season that will affect all FTC events.
How It Works:
Teams will now earn advancement points throughout a single event based on both judged awards and match performance. At the end of the event, the teams with the highest advancement point totals will move on to the next level of competition.
Important Notes:
Advancement is based only on performance at that event—teams are compared only to other teams at the same event.
This system creates a clear, points-based structure that combines both competition results and award recognition.
We know this is a major change and may raise questions. Learn more in the blog and white paper below to see how it works and what it means for your team’s strategy and goals.
Link to blog and white paper or click the button below: https://community.firstinspires.org/advancement-first-championship-update
FIRST Tech Challenge Hardship Grant – Team Interest Form Now Open with NEW PROCESS!
Is your team facing financial barriers that could prevent participation in the 2025–2026 season?
You may be eligible for a FIRST Tech Challenge Hardship Grant. Teams can request funding to cover registration and Storefront items. Grants are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early!
Please complete the request form below. FIRST Chesapeake will review and nominate teams based on need. FIRST Inspires will notify teams who have been granted funds.
Outreach & Fundraising Opportunity with FIRST LEGO League Explore- Maryland
Is your team looking for a fun and meaningful way to give back? FIRST LEGO League Explore introduces children ages 6–10 to the exciting world of STEM and FIRST—and your team can be part of that journey!
Opportunities include starting a team, mentoring existing teams, or hosting an FLL Explore Festival. Supporting FLL Explore is a great way to inspire future innovators and strengthen your team’s outreach and fundraising efforts.
See this slide deck to learn more about the benefits of supporting FLL Explore Festivals and Teams
Intrigued? Connect with Maryland’s FLL Explore Program Delivery Partner, Amber Driesman at adriesman@firstchesapeake.org.
Amplify Your FIRST Outreach Through the Maryland STEM Festival!
Planning a FIRST outreach event this fall? Take it to the next level by aligning it with the Maryland STEM Festival, happening October 18 – November 16. Participating in the Festival is a great way to increase visibility, engage new audiences, and showcase the positive impact FIRST can have on students in your community.
Find out more at Maryland STEM Festival
Welcome to New FIRST Chesapeake Staff
You may have already heard from some new names reaching out to say hello—and we’re thrilled to formally introduce the newest members of the FIRST Chesapeake team who will help us elevate your experience and deepen our support across the region.
Please join us in welcoming:
Bonnie Crites – a seasoned educator and dynamic robotics coach who’s bringing her energy and expertise to support teams as our new Program Coordinator.
Matt Sanders – a creative communicator and veteran museum educator whose background in community engagement will serve him well in his new role as Program Coordinator.
Samson Mulugeta – an FTC alum and cybersecurity scholar passionate about accessible STEM opportunities, joining us as our new Operations Associate.
Together, they bring a unique mix of experience, innovation, and heart to our work. We can’t wait for you to get to know them better.
Stay connected—join our Slack community!
Get real-time updates from FIRST and FIRST Chesapeake, connect with other coaches and teams, and never miss an important announcement.
Join now and be part of the conversation!
Thank you to our generous partners!
