FIRST LEGO League Registration & Participation Guidelines

Below are the guidelines to share with teams and event directors on participation with FLL in Texas.

The official participation rules for FLLL-Challenge are linked below. We anticipate rules will be posted for Future Edition events soon.

• Do I register for Future or Founders Edition?

  The answer depends on the budget, event participation, and learning goals. You can start with this season at a glance and review the following:

  Participation in Official FIRST Texas Events:

  FIRST Texas events will primarily focus on FLL-Challenge (Founders Edition) with each region having multiple qualifier events and advancement opportunities to regional, state, and world competitions. Click here for advancement overview.

  FIRST Texas will hold only a few limited Future Edition events depending on interest. These events may be eligible for a few limited advancement spots to a an invitational or championship event. Texas will not host a regional or state championship for Future Edition. We encourage school districts to host their own internal competitions as able.

  Equipment:

  When registering, teams are often confused by the language around equipment.

  FLL-Founders - Challenge: If your team has SPIKE Prime, SPIKE Essential, EV3, or MINDSTORMS, you are all set to participate in FLL-Challenge. Note that SPIKE products retired June 30, 2026 and kits may be available to purchase through an online search or using this form.

  FLL-Future Edition: Teams will be required to purchase the LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI sets when going through the registration process.

  To dive deeper and explore the differences in programs: A comparison of Founders and Future Edition can be found here.

• FLL Challenge (Founders) - Equipment Requirements

  If your team has SPIKE Prime, SPIKE Essential, EV3, or MINDSTORMS, you are set for next season. Note that SPIKE products retired June 30, 2026.

  FIRST® is actively developing our own K-8 program offerings for 2027 and beyond. Following the conclusion of the FIRST® LEGO® League program in 2027, FIRST plans to maintain compatibility with LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Sets (Prime and Essential) through the 2028-2029 season, providing important continuity as we launch the next generation of our K-8 offerings.

  More details here.

• FLL Challenge (Founders) - Team Size

  FIRST recommends that FLL Challenge teams consist of at least 2 students and no more than 10 students. This provides the best experience for participants.

  In Texas, we do not penalized teams for exceeding this limit such as exclusion from awards or advancement. However, events are planned with the expectation of 10 students per team. Additional members may not get a participation prize or other items.

  If a concern arises regarding the size of a team’s roster, contact a member of the Texas leadership team before making any decisions that could affect the team’s participation, awards eligibility, or advancement.

• FLL Challenge (Founders) - Team Member Ages

  FIRST LEGO League Challenge is the only FIRST program with a minimum age requirement. The registration system will NOT allow a student to register for Challenge unless they are at least 9 years old or in 4th grade at time of registration.

  However, some students may no longer benefit from participating in FIRST LEGO League Explore and may be ready to compete in FIRST LEGO League Challenge. If an underage student wishes to participate in FIRST LEGO League Challenge, FIRST Texas has a process to waive this requirement and allow for participation.

  To request an age exemption, the coach must send an email to texasinfo@firstinspires.org that includes team number and reason for exemption.

  The process for exemption:

  1. Coach sends request to texasinfo@firstinspires.org

  2. We provide a special consent & release form that is printed and signed by the parent or guardian.

  3. Ahead of the event, the coach will print the team roster provided by FIRST HQ. They will add the student’s name and attach the completed consent & release form.

  4. The roster and attached form is submitted at team check-in.

  5. RPA collects these exemption forms and returns to FIRST HQ at the end of the season.

  If a team has students younger than 9 years or in a grade level below 4th grade, FIRST Texas will not penalize the team by excluding them from awards or advancement. If a concern arises regarding the ages of a team’s members or the size of its roster, contact a member of the Texas leadership team before making any decisions that could affect the team’s participation, awards eligibility, or advancement.

• FLL Future - Equipment Requirements

  To participate in FIRST LEGO League, your students will need access to LEGO Education Computer Science & AI kits in addition to the BIOGLOW Annual Set. Both of these required materials as well as an additional Hardware Bundle are available for purchase through the FIRST Storefront. Learn more here.

• FLL Futures - Team Size

  FIRST recommends that FIRST LEGO League Future Edition teams consist of at least 4 students and no more than 10 students. This provides the best experience for participants.

  In Texas, we do not penalized teams for exceeding this limit such as exclusion from awards or advancement. However, events are planned with the expectation of 10 students per team. Additional members may not get a participation prize or other items.

  If a concern arises regarding the ages of a team’s members or the size of its roster, contact a member of the Texas leadership team before making any decisions that could affect the team’s participation, awards eligibility, or advancement.

• FLL Futures - Team Member Age

  FIRST LEGO League Future Edition includes two age bands:

  • Ages 5–7, generally corresponding to grades K–2

  • Ages 8–14, generally corresponding to grades 3–8

  Future Edition Events for Grades 3 - 8:

  FIRST Texas will offer limited competitions for the Grades 3-8 program. When registering, teams will be prompted to select either Grades 3 - 5 or Grades 6 - 8. If you have a mix of grades, you may choose either grade band. Texas Future Edition competitions will be one division covering Grades 3 - 8. Both grade bands will receive the required supplies to compete.

For students who require an age exception form, please direct them to texasinfo@firstinspires.org. FIRST Texas staff will send it directly to the coach or the parent. This form cannot be posted publicly and must be sent directly to the student's coach. Once the form is completed, the coach will turn it in at the first event the student competes at.